The 'Bernard Owens Collection': preliminary online database for the first phase

This report outlines the contents and functionality of a computer database of photomicrographs and taxonomic information on taxa in the 'Bernard Owens Collection', produced as part of a capability study to develop online taxonomic information for professional palaeontologists. The work was completed under codes ESB 64900013 (Taxonomy Online) and ESB 91900082 (CRP Collections). The intention of the study is to demonstrate how an in-house computing system can be developed to provide the functions required by a professional user, and can be placed on the internet for outside users.
This report details the three primary functions of the database:
♦ to illustrate taxa;
♦ to make access to cross referenced textual and curatorial information easy;
♦ diagnostic function.
A copy of the database is included in the CD at the back of this report, this includes 7 taxa; the first phase of the project is to complete 30 taxa, listed in Appendix 1. Prints of the main elements of the database are shown in Appendix 2.