In article <[log in to unmask]>, on Tue,
6 Jun 2000 at 09:19:00, Taryn Rucinski <URL: mailto:[log in to unmask]>
writes
>
>I was wondering
>what is the most prevalent software for managing
>collections and /or archives, and what would be the
>most valuable for an up and comming grad student to
>learn.

Other people have given advice on generic software such as Access and
proprietary packages such as those listed at the CHIN site. Other
packages are listed and described in the mda software survey:
<URL:http://www.mdocassn.demon.co.uk/software.htm>

It is probably worth saying, though, that learning the mechanics of
database management software is a minor aspect of equipping yourself to
set up a collections management system. The main problem is to develop
an adequate data structure so that the information can be stored and
retrieved efficiently and non-redundantly, which will provide a sound
basis from which to develop new functions in future, and which will make
it easy to transfer the data to different software when the time comes -
as it will :-).

You should study some of the data models and lists of units of
information that have already been developed, such as

*    The CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model
     <URL:http://www.geneva-city.ch/musinfo/cidoc/oomodel/>

*    Spectrum <URL:http://www.mdocassn.demon.co.uk/spectrum.htm>

*    Categories for the description of works of art
     <URL:http://www.getty.edu/gri/standard/cdwa/>

*    Visual Resources Association : VRA core categories, version 3.0
     <URL:http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/~staffaw3/vra/vracore3.htm>

*    CIMI standards recommendations
     <URL:http://www.cimi.org/standards/index.html>

When you have looked at these and followed up the other references they
give you, you may decide that building a system from scratch is not
really cost-effective compared with buying a proprietary package.

Leonard Will

--
Willpower Information        (Partners: Dr Leonard D Will, Sheena E Will)
Information Management Consultants               Tel: +44 (0)20 8372 0092
27 Calshot Way, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 7BQ, UK.  Fax: +44 (0)20 8372 0094
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