NEST Consortium
NEST
National Encyclopedia of
Science and Technology
A Dynamic Web Resource for
Inquisitive Minds
Copyright © 1998, by NEST Consortium
NEST Consortium
Mission
 To
create the national, web-based,
encyclopedia of science and technology
 Available to the public free of charge
 Introductory and advanced entries
 Motto: the first place to look…
NEST Consortium
Conceptual Features

Contributed


Unified format


Edited content


Managed archive


Dynamic

entries submitted by experts and individuals
from the public -- part of the Web concept
able to structure and manage the database;
easier for people to learn how to use NEST
ensures integrity and reliability of the
information presented
not a collection of links; entries are
categorized and archived
allows content to grow

Free of charge

unlike other encyclopedias
NEST Consortium
Scope
 National
resource; a larger contributing base
and audience than could be “owned” by
Princeton
 Targeted users: Everyone
– grade-school children to college-level
professionals, to any curious individual
NEST Consortium
Article Submission
 Contributor:
“I want to write about…”
 Minimum entry is:
– an article and a descriptive picture
 Submitted
by upload, FAX, mail...
 NEST: edits the text; formats the picture (to
be useable as a navigational map); enters it
into a centrally-managed database
NEST Consortium
Article Presentation
 NEST database
is browsed via:
– visual navigation (i.e. article pictures linked
to other articles)
– topical navigation (i.e. traditional categories)
– index search
 Each
scene can be described from different
vantage points
NEST Consortium
Contributor Base
 Contributing
should be fun:
– authorship attributed to articles
– knowledge of national scope and visibility
– ease (NEST provides formatting and enhances
graphics)
 Groups
to target:
– AARP; university/schools; industry/business...
 Word
of mouth
NEST Consortium
Funding Considerations
 Constraints:
– free access for general public
– articles contributed in the public’s interest
 Choice
will impact on the flavor of NEST
NEST Consortium
Possible Funding Scenarios
Source
Considerations
government
already have mandate; annual budget reviews;
influence on content
endowment
largest up-front cost; specific targets
annual
solicitation
large number of potential contributors, but
likely to have poor return per request
access
violates basic philosophy, but may be
appropriate for school systems or companies
solicit based
on usage
solicit donations from locations which have used
the resource
NEST Consortium
More Funding Scenarios
Source
Considerations
advertising
known to be a successful method for other Web
products; must limit its visual impact
corporate
sponsor
contractual agreement; lose some independence
multinational
Europe has substantial support for educational
initiatives which could be targeted
foundations
Falls under the mandate of several foundations.
NEST Consortium
STRATEGY
 clarify
goals and our plan to achieve them
 develop project plan
 solicit initial “endorsement”
 approach funding possibilities
 launch start-up program
NEST Consortium
Jump Start Program



Examine present efforts on
the Web
Recruit full-time team to
design and implement
database structure
test system on private
distribution



Target specific area?
Buy out a technical
encyclopedia?
Reformat currently available
material?
Make sure we exceed any threshold effects BEFORE release!
NEST Consortium
Open Issues
 Editorial
oversight and quality control
 Conflicting or common interests?
–
–
–
–
Commercial
Governmental
Educational
Public