I WOULD WELCOME THE COMMENTS OF ANY ONE ON THE LIST

JASON A. Siddall
FISH CONVENOR

Among the things that we are doing apart from the FISH Toolkit and MIDAS,

there are two things

FISH LEAFLET
we are doing a leaflet for FISH ... I would be uploading the design/s when
they are done ... but what sort of things would you like to see on a FISH
leaflet.

INSCRIPTION
We are now ready to change the FISH website drasicitly

here are the edited highlights
Present Website
The present website was last reviewed February 1999 see the following link.

http://www.mda.org.uk/fish/i_ack.htm

Since then it has had some sporadic work done which has included:

„h What¡¦s new.
„h Some basic care taking of the web pages.

There is a need to look at the content and improve the accessibility of the
web site for the users. This document is a short appraisal of the changes
that need to be made.

Why Update INSCRIPTION Web site

„h The character of FISH is not clear on the web site.
„h No advice on standards is provided.
„h The relationship between MIDAS, INSCRIPTION and FISH are not clear.
„h It appears static and non-interactive.

Inclusion of Country Partner Organisations
FISHEN as it was once called covered only England. FISHEN was disbanded
some years ago and reformed as FISH which covered England, Wales, Scotland,
Ireland and Northern Ireland. There is however differences in terms of
archaeology across the countries. This effects the terminology that they
use, an example of this is local terms or the lack of Roman remains in
Ireland.

It has proved difficult to develop a converged terminology that is UK wide,
or that covers everyone¡¦s needs. As an interim measure until a converged
national list is possible then it would seem prudent to build up the
presence of all partner countries.

Recommendation
„h Include all lists from partner countries under an INSCRIPTION Description
via a link provided by their flag.
„h The link would URL to a description page for the countries specific list.
„h Map each list across the partner countries.

Differences in scope across organisation
Some organisations record things differently or have a wider scope.
INSCRIPTION or FISH should not restrict or seek to stop such practices. It
should facilitate and positively engage with wider users.

An example of this is the EVENTS TYPES list some people only include field
based activities others have a wider list that includes monument
management, or desk based work.

This would break down as
ALGAO EVENTS TYPES as the core list
Management EVENT TYPES as an auxiliary list

There has been a friction between list owners and users of lists when lists
do not reflect what everyone wants. This has meant users have just refused
to use them. However it is possible to resolve this friction, by allowing
the core lists to be maintained as they are and then adding accepted
national lists where required to augment the core list.

Recommendations
„h From MDA link Inscription web site and word hoard.
„h Look at a better design
„h Change font to a non-serif.
„h Remove table borders.
„h Remove wallpaper background.
„h Harmonise the web page design some have wall paper some do not.
„h The Thesauri should link directly to the EH online Thesauri.
„h Check that all the URLs are working.
„h Add new pages:
„h How to be compliant.
„h What is the copyright of INSCRIPTION and who can use it.
„h How to add terms, How to suggest lists.
„h Page on specialist forums.
„h Documents page (key documents created by the forum, improve on the JISC
Link).
„h What is FISH.
„h Include descriptions of terms and lists that have
„h Not accepted and why.
„h Not considered yet or under consideration.
„h Add the new INSCRIPTION Lists as drafts.
„h The new INSCRIPTION descriptions should be implemented.
„h Develop the concept of Auxiliary lists.
„h Add a "Term of Use" page