october 10, 2009 - World Association of Soil and Water Conservation
october 10, 2009 - World Association of Soil and Water Conservation
october 10, 2009 - World Association of Soil and Water Conservation
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At this point, I’d like to mention that the proposed product is meant to (1) COLLECT papers presented atvarious meetings during past 25 years <strong>and</strong> make available in a form easy to h<strong>and</strong>le, i.e. in a set <strong>of</strong> DVDs (we do itONLY with the agreement <strong>of</strong> the organizers <strong>of</strong> those meetings); (2) SALVAGE the works that might not havebeen published at all or published but not well distributed; (3) REFLECT the policy <strong>of</strong> WASWC in serving globalpeople <strong>of</strong> all levels <strong>of</strong> wealth, research facility, <strong>and</strong> various degrees <strong>of</strong> internet speed – though at present ourproducts <strong>and</strong> services have been utilized more from south countries than the north ones. We foresee that whenfinished people can learn what have been done in certain region(s) <strong>of</strong> the world <strong>and</strong> can top up their research fromthere, without having to repeat from steps a, b, c again. It’s a waste <strong>of</strong> time, money <strong>and</strong> opportunity.I therefore would like to request you to please voice your opinion whether you like the idea <strong>of</strong> LANDCON e-LIBRARY or not. Just one word (NO or YES), that you may give will be much appreciated by our management,as it will help us decide to do or not to do this project. We hope to hear from you quick so it will enable us toconclude soon. If many <strong>of</strong> us will do what is requested now, it will visualize that WASWC is a truly member-formemberassociation. If the final result is positive, we hope so much that the meeting organizers will be willing toh<strong>and</strong> over their works to compose the e-LIBRARY.The next box in page 3 shows the rationale for the initiation <strong>of</strong> the project – copied <strong>and</strong> slightly adjusted fromthe Editor’s Note <strong>of</strong> July <strong>2009</strong> issue. Hope we are not asking too much!OPINIONS VOICED BY WASWC MEMBERS ABOUT LANDCON E-LIBRARY1. I think the DVD idea is a very good one <strong>and</strong> should be implemented,James Breen, FAO consultant in Zambia.2. I do not like CDs <strong>and</strong> DVDs; there are little piles <strong>of</strong> them all round the house. But, the idea <strong>of</strong> helping thosewithout internet is a good one. Have you considered 'thumb-sticks'; they take up less room.There are many electronic versions <strong>of</strong> good books now available on the internet from libraries. You might be ableto add a selection <strong>of</strong> those?Whatever you do, it should be searchable.Peter Smart, UK3. Totally in agreement. Like always, the problem is going to be language (English), but, go ahead. May beupdated every a number (?) <strong>of</strong> years <strong>and</strong> classified with regard to climate, elevation, social conditions, (?). It hasto have a good index rapid to find. Remember, there is already almost everything in Internet, so the design has toconsider it.Manuel Paulet, Peru4. I think it is a very good idea. I am equally interested in a water based e-library including all water, fresh,marine, ground <strong>and</strong> moisture wherever found. Can you help?Hasna Moudud, Bangladesh (?)5. Greetings. I like the idea <strong>and</strong> I support it fully.Makoi, Tanzania6. That’s a great idea. As a first step, I suggest downloading open source journal articles published online, burnthem in DVDs <strong>and</strong> make them available to users.Narayanan Kannan, USA7. I totally agree with the L<strong>and</strong>con e-Library idea that has been mooted by you <strong>and</strong> colleagues. Given theWASWC database on various topical issues, it is high time these were synthesized into a compact CD or DVD foruse by stakeholders. There is no monopoly <strong>of</strong> knowledge <strong>and</strong> this has clearly demonstrated your selflessnessattitude to information gathering <strong>and</strong> sharing that unfortunately most <strong>of</strong> the academic <strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional fraternityare uncomfortable with.Sir, you have my undivided support <strong>and</strong> please proceed with your conscience for the benefit <strong>of</strong> mankind on <strong>Soil</strong><strong>and</strong> <strong>Water</strong> Management issues.Joshua Okello Ayoo, Kenya8. I think it is a very good idea. I don't always want to go to the Internet for information, <strong>and</strong> sometimes theInternet is down for a couple <strong>of</strong> days, <strong>and</strong> you want information immediately.Rinda Pienaar, South Africa9. I fully agree with Dr. Samran on the idea <strong>of</strong> e-library which will be highly beneficial to the woldwide readers toshare the results <strong>of</strong> soil concervation. Thanks to Samran.Henry Lu, China2
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