Author Archives: pm286

Open Data – the time has come

Posted on September 12, 2006 by pm286

The term “Open Data” is now becoming commonly used and we (Blue Obelisk) are trying to define it (our mantra being ODOSOS. Open Data, Open Source, Open Standards). It was not commonly used two years ago although the concept is … Continue reading →

Posted in open issues | 8 Comments

Do you read journals, or "use a database"?

Posted on September 11, 2006 by pm286

We had a reception for the Chemical Information Division of the American Chemical Society last night and I spent a considerable time talking with several staff in the publications side of the Society. (I am not attributing personal views in … Continue reading →

Posted in open issues | 7 Comments

ACS Presentation III

Posted on September 11, 2006 by pm286

The presentation – which was in the Cyberinfrastructure session – went well except for one tiny problem – no Internet though I asked for it the day before. Conference Centre in San Francisco – you might think it had default … Continue reading →

Posted in "virtual communities", chemistry | Leave a comment

Hamburgers and Cows; The Cognitive Style of PDF

Posted on September 10, 2006 by pm286

PDF is one of the greatest disasters in scientific publishing – why? I normally give my slides in XHTML rather than Powerpoint and prefix them with the quote which I made up: “Power corrupts; Powerpoint corrupts absolutely” I then searched … Continue reading →

Posted in open issues, XML | 15 Comments

A new Recruit to Open Source

Posted on September 10, 2006 by pm286

We’ve got a new cybercollaborator! This is how things happen in the world of the Blue Obelisk… The exciting thing is that anyone – with hard, careful work and the respect of their peers can become a highly valuable – … Continue reading →

Posted in "virtual communities", chemistry, open issues | 6 Comments

The Blue Obelisk

Posted on September 8, 2006 by pm286

I’ve promised to write about the Blue Obelisk and I’ve only got a short time before cycling home but at least I need to point to this before the ACS meeting. Chemoinformatics and much chemical computation is seriously broken. The … Continue reading →

Posted in "virtual communities", chemistry, open issues | Leave a comment

ACS Presentation – Part II

Posted on September 8, 2006 by pm286

The first part of my presentation dealt with the technical issues surrounding semantic chemistry. This page contains predictions – they are general enough that you don’t have to be a chemist to appreciate them. I’ll probably try to cover some … Continue reading →

Posted in chemistry, open issues, XML | Leave a comment

ACS presentation Part I

Posted on September 8, 2006 by pm286

Edward Tufte said in his recent book that one shouldn’t use Powerpoint to present information, but Word. Although I am not a fan of Word (see later posts) I agree with the message. So this is the first part of … Continue reading →

Posted in chemistry, open issues, XML | 4 Comments

Blog as presentation

Posted on September 8, 2006 by pm286

Any of you on the chemoinformatics circuit knows Wendy Warr – present all at meetings – knows everybody and is tireless in communicating news to the community – formally and informally. She has also been the highly respected and tireless … Continue reading →

Posted in general | Leave a comment

Mashups and CB2

Posted on September 7, 2006 by pm286

There’s a regular monthly meeting in Cambridge on Thursdays in the Internet cafe called CB2. Organised with enormous energy by Rufus Pollock – see the Open Knowledge Foundation link. Mostly geeks, we have a common theme of wanting to liberate … Continue reading →

Posted in "virtual communities", chemistry, open issues | 3 Comments