February 12, 2008 BHL Executive Committee Notes

BHL Executive Committee Conference Call February 12, 2008

Cathy: From OCLC: Should start collection analysis with what we have to date. NHM is not all in. Tom wants to discuss with Cathy before proceeding.

Tom and Chris: Chris and Tom had a conversation with Brewster regarding jp2, via email and conference call.Brewster is unwilling to run a jp2 express server (paid for by BHL) in his data center. Adds load time of 3-5 seconds if MOBOT pulls jp2. So users will see lower quality and then have to wait for high quality zoomable image. The delay is only in pulling the file initially. Images can be cached using existing storage so if a book is used a lot, it would be cached and quicker. MOBOT solution sounds good to us. We need to set user expectations and give user a visual cue. MOBOT needs to increase network--municipality issue. Working with AT &T to improve fiber network. This will increase speed. This is a short-term stop gap solution. Longer term solution is upgrading network by MOBOT. OTHER options to explore--regional internet 2 consortium--and possibility of hosting jp2 server at one of the partners. Brewster interested in open source jp2 server to be hosted at IA but slow process. Cost? Brewster quoted very low figure but didn't seem realistic. Brewster suggested approaching Lizard/LuraTech about making program open source. Also Cockatoo out of Australia. .Chris will make the change a priority (including logo). Logo needs work--it shrinks space available for reading.

Performance on BL server has been improved.

In good shape for launch.

Should address jp2 issue in Architecture meeting--on second day. Check the suggested topics.

Graham: Econtentplus bid for BHL Europe--outcome of Architecture meeting will inform document for bid. US folks can receive funds as contractors or consultants. 3 year project funding.

If there are BHL development needs (storage, hardware) we can drop something to dedicate funds to development (meeting every other year or less scanning...).

Chris noted that his contract goes through June 2008 but statement of work goes through 2009. Next MacArthur allocation will come no later than June 2009 and there will be new subawards. EOL steering committee noted that finances should be reviewed every 6 months and if substantial underspend, can reallocate immediately.

No estimates on hits immediately after the launch--unfortunate because other experiences have shown that servers can crash continually with large volume use.

Tom: Still not sure what Donat Agosti is looking for from BHL. Tom will respond to Donat and will check with Jim and Jesse to see if someone should attend the Linnaeus meeting.

Allen Press contacted Tom about an agreement for digitizing backfiles of journals they work with.

Assembling Tree of Life Meeting March 5--Tom

Next Call: March 4 at 11 AM EST, 10 AM CST, 4 PM GMT Save 1.5 hours