Using the Internet in Conservation Research

Example On-line Research Scenario:

"Deterioration and conservation of ormolu"

1.  Decide on relevant topics/keywords from existing knowledge: e.g.

ormolu, fire gilding, copper alloy, clocks, furniture, gilding, Boulton, Forthergill, Cressent, Gouthière, Caffieri, Boulle, corrosion, stabilisation, ...
adding to and refining this list as you proceed of course (e.g. search for relevant authors)

2.  Search for relevant bibliographic references:

Local library catalogue: e.g.
    Cardiff: http://library.cf.ac.uk/
    Durham: http://library.dur.ac.uk/
    UCL: http://library.ucl.ac.uk/

Wider search:
    COPAC - http://copac.ac.uk/copac/wzgw
    BCIN (Conservation Information Network Bibliographic Database) -
    http://www.bcin.ca
    AATA - http://aata.getty.edu/NPS/
    Index to Theses
    zetoc
    etc

3.  Search for relevant Web-based resources:

General search engines: e.g.
    Google
    Yahoo! UK & Ireland
    etc

Specialised search engines and Web-based datasets: e.g.
    Cultural Heritage Search Engine
    CAMEO
    NISS Directory of Network Resources (Username & password required)
    Mimas Beilstein CrossFire (Username & password and client software required)
    Chemfinder (Username & password required after a trial period)
        

Chemical companies: e.g.
    VWR International (Merck/BDH) (Username & password required for full functionality)

4.  Search for relevant newsgroups, check archives, send enquiries

Use Google Groups or a dedicated newsreader programme
e.g. Could try the following groups:
    alt.horology
    rec.antiques
    sci.chem.coatings
    sci.chem.electrochem
    sci.engr.metallurgy
    sci.materials
    

5.  Search for relevant discussion lists, check archives, subscribe, send enquiries

Search JISCmail
Search TileNet
Search Liszt

6.  Search for useful people, send enquiries, etc

Search CoOL

7.  Integrate your results with those obtained from other lines of research

Don't become an Internet addict. It is a useful tool, not the answer to life, the universe and everything.
 
"A two-year study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh has concluded that surfing the Internet can cause a slow decline in mental health. Social psychologist Robert Kraut says Internet use results in isolation, loneliness and depression."

New Scientist - 12 September 1998