Compiling the work experience of those in the AMMRL would be a very
ambitious project to undertake.
I do think it would be very nice to have, but I'll bet it'll take about
2-4 weeks of dedicated effort to construct the database and compile all
of the data.
I compiled a 'hardware list' for the AMMRL back in 1995 that just
listed what type of instruments, probes, and accessories people had.
That took many, many hours of my time, and my boss was kind enough
to tolerate the devotion of large amounts of my time to the task.
Here are my general impressions for this sort of undertaking:
Getting people to submit info in the proper format can be problematic.
Deciding whether to grant access to non-contributors can be contentious.
Multiply the time you think it will take you to carry out this task by
a factor of three.
Expect no more than about 50% participation (I think I had about 40%
when I did the hardware list, see the AMMRL 1995 archives for some of
the postings, I was jsimpson@black.clarku.edu at the time).
Make some sort of provision for updating information, but don't make
it possible for people to submit data without some sort of validation.
Expect to be somewhat unpopular no matter where you draw the line on how
much or little information you plan to compile. If you don't
specifically require people to supply all the data, you will find alot
of half-assed entries; if you do require people to submit alot of data,
then you will have trouble with participation and compliance; if you
don't ask for enough, you will have persons from the sidelines telling
you you need to do more.
I'm not saying it's not worthwhile, I'm just suggesting that you consider
the full implications of volunteering to do this sort of public service.
Rudi Nunlist and Rich Shoemaker could have much to say on this issue as
caretakers of the AMMRL listserver. Many take their efforts for granted
and fail to appreciate how much extra work they do with little to no
recognition and no compensation.
If folks think this is worthwhile, then they should voice their opinions
and be heard.
Jeff
Dr. Jeffrey H. Simpson jsimpson@mit.edu
Instrumentation Facility Director 617/253-1812 office
Department of Chemistry, 18-0090 617/253-1806 lab
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 617/253-0873 fax
77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 USA