> On 8/27/07, Weinheimer Jim <j.weinheimer_at_aur.edu> wrote:
> > The thing is, format doesn't really matter anymore. Anybody
> > can have any format they want locally. When we want to
> > exchange, it's another issue. So long as we are exchanging
> > only with library communities who are using the same
> > MARC structure, there is little problem, but [...]
>
> No, no, no ; it's esential to take a few steps forward technology
> wise, but you *must* also think of recruitment of people to this
> world. The chances good developers out there have familiarity with XML
> over MARC is rather staggering.
>
> > Ultimately though, it doesn't matter what is used since these
> > are just computer codes and can display however we want
> > them to. Each person could even set their own preferences.
>
> It matters that XML technologies have tremendous more to it than just
> being a carrier of bytes, which MARC is. This is too important not to
> be mentioned over and over until everyone gets it. :)
I completely agree. It's just that it's important for people to realize that by switching to XML, we lose nothing and gain a lot. Currently, there are very few catalogs that store their bibliographic information in native MARC21 format. Most are relational database structures, but the main method of transferring library-type information is still native MARC21 through Z39.50. Although this serves the immediate function, the world is much bigger than MARC21 (a very small part of the metadata universe), and we need to work other types of information with many other formats. XML allows all sorts of other interesting possibilities as well.
Jim
Received on Mon Aug 27 2007 - 08:58:05 EDT