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Totally agree - this is the way forward. However, the value of the service is diminished by the reticence of some institutions to getting involved. Time; peer pressure from DocDel; and most importantly peer pressure from their theses' authors (Why is my thesis not included?) may change that position. Until then, the loss of access to previously available theses is an issue.
Graham Titley
Document Delivery and Copyright Librarian
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA
Tel: 01752 587162 or 587161
Email: [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: UK discussion list for electronic theses and dissertations [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Chris Keene
Sent: 28 January 2009 11:31
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: EThOS enters Public Beta phase
While I note that there are a few questions over how the transition to
ethos is taking place, and the disappointment with the delay in
launching ethos itself.
I don't think we should loose site of what a great development this is.
It goes without saying this will massively open up the theses from the
UK. I'm not aware of many other countries that have done this at a
national level (http://adt.caul.edu.au/ is the only one that springs to
mind).
There are many projects going on in HE libraries/IT but rare for one to
have such a concrete and public facing outcome.
So a thank you to all involved, and those who decided to fund it.
I'd be interested in seeing the stats as the service takes off, and hope
the service (e.g. software) will continue to develop over time.
Regards
Chris
On 26/01/2009 20:49, Stephens, Owen wrote:
EThOS has been in public beta since last Tuesday, and we are pleased with its performance so far. Based on our own monitoring, and feedback from users, we have been able to adjust the system to make improvements, and we continue to monitor this closely. In the last seven days, 291 theses have been downloaded directly, and a further 628 have been ordered for digitisation.
We are collecting feedback from this list, as well as several other channels, and we are working with the British Library and other project partners to look at the issues raised, and how we can best respond. Please keep asking questions or raising issues so that we can ensure we can respond to them.
Best wishes
Owen
--
Chris Keene [log in to unmask]
Technical Development Manager Tel (01273) 877950
University of Sussex Library
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/library/