[Evergreen-web-team] Fwd: [lita-l] Seeking feedback on database design for an open source software registry

[Lori Bowen Ayre]

Check out this development.  A directory of Open Source products and lots of
information related to them.  We may be able to get some our directory needs
met by getting involved in this project...see below.

Lori

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Lori Bowen Ayre // Library Technology Consultant
The Galecia Group // www.galecia.com
(707) 763-6869 // Lori.Ayre at galecia.com

<Lori.Ayre at galecia.com>Specializing in open source ILS solutions, RFID,
filtering,
workflow optimization, and materials handling
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peter Murray <peter.murray at lyrasis.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 15, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Subject: [lita-l] Seeking feedback on database design for an open source
software registry
To: Code for Libraries <CODE4LIB at listserv.nd.edu>, LITA-L mailing list <
lita-l at ala.org>, Drupal4Lib mailing list <DRUPAL4LIB at listserv.uic.edu>


Colleagues --

As part of the Mellon Foundation grant funding the start-up of LYRASIS
Technology Services, LTS is establishing a registry to provide in-depth
comparative, evaluative, and version information about open source products.
 This registry will be free for viewing and editing (all libraries, not just
LYRASIS members, and any provider offering services for open source software
in libraries).  Drupal will be the underlying content system, and it will be
hosted by LYRASIS.

I'm seeking input on a data model that is intended to answer these
questions:

       • What open source options exist to meet a particular need of my
library?
       • What are the strengths and weaknesses of an open source package?
       • My library has developers with skills in specific technologies.
What open source packages mesh well with the skills my library has in-house?
       • Where can my library go to get training, documentation, hosting,
and/or contract software development for a specific open source package?
       • Are any peers using this open source software?
       • Where is there more information about this open source software
package?

The E-R diagram and narrative surrounding it are on the Code4Lib wiki:

 http://wiki.code4lib.org/index.php/Registry_E-R_Diagram

Comments on the data model can be made as changes to the wiki document,
replies posted here, or e-mail sent directly to me.  In addition to comments
on the data model, I'm particularly interested in answers to these questions
(also listed at the bottom of the wiki page):

 1. The model does not provide for a relationship between a person and a
software package. Would such a relationship be useful? E.g., individuals
self-identifying as affiliated with an open source software package.

 2. The initial planning process did not account for the inclusion of
packages that were not themselves end products. Should code libraries and
support programs be included as packages in the registry? The model could
conceivably be adjusted in two ways to account for this. The simplest would
only require the addition of new PackageType enumerations (e.g. “code
library”); this would not allow for searching of packages that use code
libraries (e.g., answering the question “What repositories use the djatoka
JPEG2000 viewer system?”) Another simple change would be to add “code
library” to the TechType enumeration; the code library would not have the
benefit of links to other relationships and entities.  A more complicated
change would do both but there would be no relationship between the code
library as a Package and as a Technology.  Are there better ways to add code
libraries to the model?

 3. Some who have reviewed the concept for the registry suggested other
attributes. Should these be added? (And what is missing?)
               • Package – Translations
               • Package – Intended audience (e.g. developers,
patrons/desktop, patrons/web, library-staff/desktop, library-staff/web)
               • Version – Code maturity (e.g., alpha, beta, release
candidate, formal release)

 4. To answer the question “Are any peers using this open source software?”
is it necessary to have an enumeration of library types? Public library,
school library, university library, community college library, special
library, museum (others?)

 5. Is the location of Institutions and Providers desired? One reason it
might be desirable is to do a geography-based search (e.g. training
providers within a 60-mile radius).


Feel free to add to the list of questions.  I'm looking forward to your
thoughts.


Peter
--
Peter Murray         Peter.Murray at lyrasis.org        tel:+1-678-235-2955
Ass't Director, Technology Services Development   http://dltj.org/about/
LYRASIS   --    Great Libraries. Strong Communities. Innovative Answers.
The Disruptive Library Technology Jester                http://dltj.org/
Attrib-Noncomm-Share   http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/



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