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2026-01-28T11:54:25Z

Imported current content

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The public domain already contains many of the elements of [[PubWan]] interface...networks, databases, and the like.

There is a need for technologies to automate data collection. The proprietary sector has sold the masses on using theirs out of convenience or whatever. Information flowing from businesses to consumers is almost never in machine-readable form. This may change in the future, but it looks like machine-readability will be marketed as an added value (i.e. added caching) feature. Given the partial inevitability of [[PubWan]], it'll probably come with copyright restrictions too.

Without automated data collection there is a need for volunteer data entry, and hence for recruiting volunteers, i.e. people to work for free. There are of course those with a little of an activist streak who need no further motivation. [[LorraineLee|I|]] count myself among them.

The most obvious automated data collection technology is bar code scanning. One would expect use of this at the point of purchase to get all manner of complaints from the Management. Still has uses at home, though.

To make [[PubWan]] useful to the consumer, a data collector must store the data in a nonproprietary format with a nonproprietary hardware interface that can connect to a computer with internet access.

''''Suggested Refinement'''': To make [[PubWan]] useful to the consumer, a data collector must exchange their data in a nonproprietary format with a via a computer with [[PubWan]] access. Note: [[PubWan]] is accessable via the Internet. See also: [[PubWanDataDictionary]]

OCR might be useful, too.

Even with effective automation, participation costs some (hopefully small) amount of money and time. The challenge then must be somehow to make it fun.
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[[StarPilot|I|]] believe the fun would be the related user forums and instant chatting with other participants. In/on the [[PubWan]] itself, it would be finding new deals (window shopping/browsing). The main purpose and draw of the [[PubWan]] will be the information available itself.

So, [[PubWan]] accepts input from suppliers, vendors, and contributing (information) users? Sounds good so far. All input sources have equal weight/authority, I presume at this point, and equal access to all interfaces.
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''''[[|http://www.media.mit.edu/ci/members/members.html Counter Intelligence||http://www.media.mit.edu/ci/papers/whitepaper/ci13.htm#counterintelligence]]'''' as described by Joseph 'Jofish' Kaye touts many data capture features germane to pubwan. I haven't yet figured out whether the nature of their project is "uncommercial" enough to be compatible with [[pubwan objectives||http://www.geocities.com/n8chz/goals.htm]] (or vice versa). It is in the academic sector, but the presence of a "[[members only]]" section of their website suggests a less than 100% open-content orientation.

PubWanInterface - Revision history

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