Re: Don't Cut Unarchived Lists...-Reply

[nshof4838@ALPHA.NSULA.EDU]

> I don't think web evidence that exists only on electronic form should be
> used.  Here's why:
> 
> 1)  Not permanent.  Unlike published journals, books, etc., you can find
> published  items from your library (interlibrary loan department) even if
> you library doesn't have it.  Internet sites are not permanent.  As
> someone said before URL's blink out of existence.  Archived lists can be
> lost on a server or hard disk crash.
> 
> 2)  Potential for abuse.  Nothing prevents me from making a web site,
> writing great evidence - using it, and then discontinuing the web site.
> Even if I mailed the copy to everyone who wanted it (how many
> NDT/CEDA schools are there?  200? 400?)  there would be no way to
> check abuse.  Even if CEDA-L or NDT-L archived the stuff, what would
> be the check against writing your own evidence?  None.  At least with
> published books, journals, etc. you can check the evidence out.


i think that both these concerns can be addressed with a further 
compromise on the archive idea.  if evidence is obtained from an URL or 
other internet site, it could be posted to our archive, or perhaps even 
to a new archive created for this sole purpose of storing evidence.  that 
would decrease the work load for the current operators of these 
listservs, but create a whole new set of responsibilities for the 
operator of the new archive.  

if someone were generous enough to operate the archive and verify 
submitted works, we could create a database of electronic debate 
materials that could be easily accessible to anyone.  i would suggest 
that the evidence not be used in rounds until it has been officially 
verified by the operator of the list.  i think this would be called a 
moderated list, in that the operator would only post info on the list 
if it were verified with the original source.

this would address the problem of permanence, but there is still the 
issue of the list crashing.  that could be solved by archiving the list 
in compressed format at other sites, to create multiple copies, ensuring 
that the data would always be safe.  perhaps tuna could create an archive 
at Debate Central, like the ceda-l archives there.

this is an important issue that the debate community  must address soon.  
the development and expansion of electronic publication is changing the 
way in which we retrieve and use information, and transcends all 
organizational lines.  it would be interesting if we could extend the 
invitation to all debate organizations ceda, ndt, neda, ada, nfl, cfl, 
etc.. to contribute to the list.

i know that the creation and operation of such a list would be a 
tremendous undertaking.  would anyone be interested in formally proposing 
this idea to the executive committees of the various debate 
organizations?  if so, i would suggest that each group set aside a 
specific portion of their budgets to contribute to the maintenace of the 
list.  since the operator/moderator of the list would havethe tremendous 
task of verifying this material, i think that that person should be 
compensated with a portion of the money set aside for the list.  

i think that it would offer us an unprecedented opportunity to organize 
the collegiate and high school debate communities around an issue that 
affects us all:  evidence gathering/use in our forum.  since this issue 
does affect us all, the idea of sharing responsbility for the list 
appeals to me.  any thoughts?

later

bj hoffpauir
nshof4838@alpha.nsula.edu

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