Hello. OK, now I'm a little confused...what exactly is the problem here?
It's kinda looking like the library is jerking you around. I mean, on one hand, you say that they already have a CDROM collection. Yet, on the other hand they are claiming that they do not have the ability to deal with the donation of software. I don't want to be jumping to conclusions, but it sounds like they are shovelling a bunch of bull poop your way. That really disappoints me. Most of the librarians I know are, if not users of free/open source software, at least sympathetic to/fans of such software. After all, we are talking about a profession that thrives on the free flow of information. So it looks like the problem is not adding the CDROM set to their collection and the related cataloging issues, but good old fashioned FUD? Am I off base here? As far as cataloging the CDROMS is concerned, if this library is a member of OCLC, then they should be able to copy the catalog record for Debian Potato (which is in OCLC WorldCat...twice) and modify it for Woody. If they aren't members of OCLC and were able to catalog the other CDROMs in their collection then they certainly can catalog the Debian CDROM set. If they claim otherwise then they are presenting you with a falsehood. You library could be handling its cataloging in any number of ways (it could be done in house, as part of a consortium, or outsourced, or some other way not coming to mind right now), so I'm a bit reluctant to pass judgement on them on this front. Nonetheless, I find it a bit silly that they are having you provide the bibliographic information for the CDROMs. They, after all, are professionals and should be able to do this. Do you think that printing up the Debian install guide, new user guide, etc., and then running down to kinko's and having them bound and donating them along with the CDROM set would help with their 'we can't support such software' line of reasoning? I think it would be a good thing to to. After all, I would have been utterly lost without such documents when I was a new Debian user (heck, there are plenty of days still when I have to RTFM to get by), and I think the CDROMs (without documentation) at the library would cause more problems than necessary to Joe and Jane Average Library User who are curious about this Linux thing they saw in USA Today. Regardless, I'm sure the library doesn't provide end user support for the other CDROMs in their collection...so that argument just doesn't wash. I really like this idea, and think I may venture down to my hometown library and do this myself. That is, once I get a job and can afford to buy an official cd set and have the manuals bound. ;-) I hope this all works out for you folks. cheers -aaron -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
