Please forgive what may seem like an odd email, but I just want to recap 
  the recent emails I have received on ethos, and to check if I am 
missing anything?

 From the 13th Oct Anthony provided updates running up to, and past, the 
planned go-live date of the 14th. I appreciated these communication, 
even if we were all (not least those involved) of course disappointed by 
the content.

At this point my understanding was the service would go live as soon as 
specific problems were fixed.

On the 16th the following was sent to the list
"I am writing to address the concerns and questions that have been 
raised throughout today concerning the Monday 20th October ‘soft launch’ 
of EThOS."

This was the first time a soft launch had been mentioned on this list, 
and the first time the 20th was mentioned, and therefore of course I had 
not seen any concerns raised about the soft launch. (Though on previous 
days concerns about the end of the microform service.)
I haven't managed to track down a web page or email which could clarify 
what the soft launch is/was?  The term normally refers to a release to a 
small group of people without advertising the service, perhaps a 
clarification here would be useful.

On the 20th an email went out to say that the soft launch would not 
happen.  Today I read: "following the 'soft launch' [...] We have 
temporarily  withdrawn the system".
Did the soft launch ever happen, the former says not, the latter implies 
it must have for it to be withdrawn.


So not a complaint, but perhaps it is helpful for those working on all 
of this to see there are people as ignorant and ill-informed as myself, 
and we need simple emails which presume nothing!
Is there another mailing list perhaps where perhaps announcements are 
being made which I am missing?


Kind regards
Chris Keene


Newman, Joanna wrote:
> Dear colleagues
> 
> Further to my previous messages this week, following the 'soft launch' 
> of EThOS and the subsequent load testing of the system, we identified a 
> number of technical issues that need to be resolved. We have temporarily 
> withdrawn the system to undertake the required remedial action. 
> 
> In this transitional phase, we are offering a hybrid EThOS / microfilm 
> service which will operate until the full EThOS system is available. 
> 
> The hybrid service will enable the ordering and supply of microfilm 
> copies where the thesis is already held by the British Library.  In 
> cases where the required thesis is not held on microfilm by the British 
> Library the customer’s order will initiate the digitisation of the 
> hardcopy source thesis and delivery as a searchable PDF file on CD-ROM.
> 
> If the required thesis was issued by an EThOS non-participating 
> institution the customer will be directed to apply direct to the 
> institution.  Paper copies of theses may also be supplied in response to 
> orders supplied via either of these hybrid service routes. 
> 
> During the period that this hybrid service applies, the existing price 
> structures for microfilm or paper copies will apply.  The supply of 
> newly digitised theses on CD-ROM will be free of charge as will be the 
> EThOS download service.
> 
> This service is accessible via the usual channels (email and phone 
> immediately, web pages by Friday 24^th November)
> 
> We will continue to issue regular communications via various channels 
> and will provide updates on how the testing process is progressing as 
> they become available. 
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Dr Joanna Newman                              Owen Stephens
> Head of Strategic Partnerships          Assistant Director: eStrategy 
> and Information Resources
> Higher Education                                 Central Library
> The British Library                               Imperial College London
> 
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