A new field‐tested electronic system for data gathering, recording, transfer and dissemination via the World Wide Web

Abstract

Summary Cavalcanti, T. B., Rezende, A., Togawa, R., Rodrigues, P., Favilla, L. M. & Neshich, G.: A new field‐tested electronic system for data gathering, recording, transfer and dissemination via the World Wide Web. – Taxon 47: 381‐386. 1998. – ISSN 0040‐0262. One of the major challenges for taxonomists today is the organisation of collection data by making use of modern computer technology for data storage and retrieval. Recent developments enabling data accessing in the field are here discussed. A field‐tested electronic system for data gathering, recording, storage, transfer, formatted printout (e.g. for labelling) and, finally, dissemination by on‐line access, called ELCEN (Electronic CEN Herbarium), is described. It makes use of new, easily portable, hand‐held “personal data assistants” (PDAs) that connect easily with personal computers (PCs) and workstations, and results in global data availability via Internet's World Wide Web. Among the advantages of the new system are its ease of use, the elimination of most typing errors during data entry, and the reduction of the time lag between data input and data availability.