It's a great concept, but would be a very tough sell because...1) we all hate the confusion of converting from the systems we are using to anything new (do you find system updates/upgrades as frustrating as I do?) 2) any such change means a break such that data analyzed in the new system are not comparable with data from old sites.and 3) archaeologists are a lousy market, because we are always dirt poor, and currently either unemployed or underemployed. So who would have money to spare for new software?Alright, enough pessimism for one day. Anybody got good news to share?
Meli
--- On Tue, 6/14/11, Susan Walter <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

From: Susan Walter <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: commercial database application
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 11:05 PM

Jay,
I'd like to respond off list.
Is there an email address I can send to?
S. Walter
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay and Beth Stottman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 11:59 AM
Subject: commercial database application


> 
> 
> A friend of mine Jeff Watts-Roy (a reformed archaeologist now working in
> business) is interested in developing a commercial version of a web database
> application for historic artifacts that he and I have been developing for
> the University of Kentucky.  The database would be accessible via the web,
> including data entry and search and query capabilities.  Thus, data entry
> and searches can take place anywhere there is an internet connection and an
> authorized user.  The database would be stored with a secure database
> management company or "cloud" such as many businesses use for their online
> retail.  The system can be individually designed to accommodate any
> taxonomic system that is used for classifying artifacts.  The system being
> developed for UK is designed to be free for those who want to use it in
> order to build a statewide database.  However, Jeff is interested in knowing
> what interest there might be from the archaeological community at large in a
> commercial version of the system which would be sold as yearly or monthly
> user subscriptions.  Given that archaeologists tend to be entrenched in
> their own ways of working with and managing their data, I told Jeff that I
> would check and see what people think before he goes any further with the
> idea.  So, if anyone has any comments or questions I will be glad to pass
> them along.  I think it would be interesting to hear perspectives on using
> current web technology in managing our data, plus I think this raises some
> questions about access to archaeological data.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks in advance for any feedback you can give.
> 
> 
> 
> Jay
> 
> 
> 
> M. Jay Stottman
> 
> Staff Archaeologist
> 
> Kentucky Archaeological Survey


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