Re: [MDOsprey] Yellow Book Index--NOT
Norm Saunders (osprey@ARI.Net)
Wed, 28 Jul 1999 18:16:20 -0500
Jim Stasz writes:
> I will take the entire credit for NOT having an Index on the Yellow Book.
> Marshall wanted one, and I believe Bob was not opposed, but I had the final
> word and decided against it. My reasoning was simple: if there was an Index,
> many fewer world learn the checklist order.
People who spend even a small amount of time studying their field guides
will get an understanding of taxonomic ordering. If they don't learn that from
the field guide I somehow doubt that they will learn it from the Yellow book.
Further, they might be discouraged from using the Yellow book, which
would be a real tragedy, since it is one of the best available references
for the beginning birder in Maryland.
I do agree with Jim that a working knowledge of bird families and taxonomic
ordering is invaluable to becoming a better birder.
> On another note. The computer graphics program used to create the Yellow
> Book was developed in 1985. It does not support modern printers. It is not
> Y2K compliant. The 486 that I ran it on has died and my 188 does not have a
> 5.25 floppy drive. The next edition will have to be made from scratch.
Jim, rather than wait until work is begun on the next edition of the
Yellow book, perhaps we should begin now to discuss data and software
issues, so that we won't have to begin from scratch. MOS has a number of
computer professionals who would be glad to give of their expertise to
deal with the problems you note. Shall we discuss the issues in private
e-mail so I can bring it up before the Board?
Best,
Norm
===============
Norm Saunders
Colesville, MD
osprey@ari.net