4.0054 Technical Notes and Queries (73)

Elaine Brennan & Allen Renear (EDITORS@BROWNVM.BITNET)
Tue, 15 May 90 17:55:14 EDT

Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 4, No. 0054. Tuesday, 15 May 1990.


(1) Date: Tue, 15 May 90 14:49 GMT (32 lines)
From: David Zeitlyn <ZEITLYN%vax.oxford.ac.uk@NSFnet-Relay.AC.UK>
Subject: Dictionaries & Databases.

(2) Date: Tue, 15 May 90 11:44 EDT (31 lines)
From: <BCJ@PSUVM>
Subject: Computer Maps

(3) Date: Tue, 15 May 90 06:38:57 CDT (10 lines)
From: "Eric Johnson DSU, Madison, SD 57042" <ERIC@SDNET>
Subject: MaxSPITBOL

(1) --------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 May 90 14:49 GMT
From: David Zeitlyn <ZEITLYN%vax.oxford.ac.uk@NSFnet-Relay.AC.UK>
Subject: Dictionaries & Databases.

Hello, I'm back from more work in Cameroon, and return to the
computerised world determined (ass I am every time I get back) that THIS
year I will write my Mambila - English dictionary. For those who forget
Mambila (language no. 710 in the Cameroon Linguistic Atlas) is a
non-Bantu Bantoid, and usually classed in the Mambiloid group.

I would appreciate comments from Humanists about the choice of database
to use to make the dictionary. Unless VERY good arguments are produced
I will use a MAC since I've sorted out the necessary phonetic fonts for
this, which is part of the battle - BUT has any one yet worked out how
to change the sort-order on a MAC? The dictionary will collate existing
information on the various different dialects and include french and
english focal glosses for reverse sorting.

As I see it the main question - which I keep changing my mind about -
is whther to use a flat file d-base (hcard even, although that'ld
probably be too slow for the intended size approx 3,000 entries)
OR
whether to use a relational database. This would have the advantage
that the dialects could be entered as separate simple word lists and
hence be easily farmed out, then combined using relational qualities...
but that 'merging@ would be fairly complex while a single but messy flat
file 'card' could handle it.

All opinions and comments gratefully received
Best wishes (and nice to be home)

David Zeitlyn in sunny but cool Oxford
(2) --------------------------------------------------------------35----
Date: Tue, 15 May 90 11:44 EDT
From: <BCJ@PSUVM>
Subject: Computer Maps

This query just showed up on HISTORY -- maybe somebody on HUMANIST could
help?

- - The original note follows - -

Date: Sun, 13 May 90 14:19:55 EDT
Sender: History <HISTORY@FINHUTC>
From: "L. Dale Patterson" <LDPATT01@ULKYVM>
Subject: Computer Maps

I am looking for a computer product which will generate maps for me
which I can then add to and alter. I teach courses in American history,
and no matter how good the textbook there could always be one more map.
What I would like is so mething which starts with the basic outline of
the U.S. and which includes the outlines of the states (it would be
great if there could be different outlines for specific time-periods)
and then would let me fill in cities I want to empha size, draw lines,
shading to emphasize westward movement, strength of a given party or
religious group, etc. I would appreciate any ideas or comments.
Thanks.

-- Dale Patterson
University of Louisville
BITNET: ldpatt01 @ ulkyvm
(3) --------------------------------------------------------------19----
Date: Tue, 15 May 90 06:38:57 CDT
From: "Eric Johnson DSU, Madison, SD 57042" <ERIC@SDNET>
Subject: MaxSPITBOL

In answer to the question by Geoffrey Rockwell, MaxSPITBOL is available
from Catspaw, Inc., P.O. Box 1123, Salida, CO 81201 U.S.A. (719)
539-3884.

Eric Johnson
ERIC@SDNET