Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!iuvax!bionet!icrf.ac.uk!S_BRYANT
From: S_BRYANT@icrf.ac.uk
Newsgroups: bionet.general
Subject: (none)
Message-ID: <8903271424.AA28127@net.bio.net>
Date: 27 Mar 89 22:17:49 GMT
Sender: daemon@NET.BIO.NET
Lines: 52


            PROPOSAL FOR A NEW BOARD

To the BIOSCI Management,

    I hereby propose the formation of a new bulletin board, provisionally
called GENCOM (GENetic COMputing). The goals of the board are outlined below.


    For the last year or so, some of us in the field of Human Genetics
have been putting together a standard for the exchange of data between
applications. This standard is fully described in the draft document "A common
Data Model for Human Genetics" which I am sending
to you by conventional mail along with this proposal. Further copies are
available from me on request, but note that the report is NOT for general
distribution at the present time. The name LINKUP has been provisionally
adopted as the preferred means of referring to the standard.

    Though still in draft form, LINKUP has reached the point where useful
interfaces can be constructed, and this is now underway at a number of sites
internationally. The problem now and for the future is to consolidate the
position of the standard within the community and to manage future development
in a coherent way.

    A bulletin board would allow proposed amendments to be discussed and
debated before being incorporated into the definition. This would also reduce
a large administrative component of the project.

    The philosophy of LINKUP has from the outset been an international
collaborative effort between geneticists and software developers. I believe
that establishment of a board largely devoted to this exercise would maintain
the required level of visibility and perhaps serve as a guide to other
communities considering a similar scheme.

    Comments on the above are very welcome.


    Sincerely,

    Steve Bryant

    Imperial Cancer Research Fund
    Human Genetic Resources Laboratory
    Blanche Lane
    South Mimms
    Potters Bar
    Herts EN6 3LD
    UK

    Tel    : 0707 44444 X348
    Fax    : 0707 46332
    Email    : s_bryant@uk.ac.icrf (JANET)