The Expert center for Taxonomic Identification

The ETI is a non-profit organization set up in 1990 with the aim of concentrating and distributing diversity of information by means of multimedia computer technology. ETI has developed a user-friendly universal biodiversity software programme, Linnaeus 11, that allows specialists to store species information in text, pictures, videos and sounds in a standard exchangeable format using their own PCs. More importantly, this shell allows the construction of 'smart' identification systems giving specialists and non-specialists fast access to species information and identification. The Linnaeus 11 system is designed to be used on relatively simple Macintosh and Windows PCs. It allows the user to concentrate on the science of the programme instead of the 'how to'. To build biodiversity databases ETI works with institutions such as UNESCO, to set-up and support both regional and international networks of specialists who use Linnaeus 11 software for local database building. Also ETI cooperates with international organizations like UNEP, FAO, WCMC and natural history museums that hold large biodiversity data collections. Specialists using the software send back entered species data on a yearly basis. At ETI the data are compiled and submitted to a review procedure similar to that used by scientific journals. Completed sets (on a particular taxonomic group or geographical area) are disseminated on CD-ROMs. At present ETI works with about one thousand specialists from all over the world. In 1994 ETI will release six interactive multimedia titles on marine biology, including Fishes of the N E Atlantic and Mediterranean, Pelagic mollusks of the world, and Marine lobsters of the world Other fields to be covered in future titles are: fungi; yeast; timber trees; and regional data sets. Two educational titles for students, Five kingdoms: a key to the phyla of life and the Protoctista glossary, will also be published. ETI, Mauritskade 61, NL1092 AD Amstedam, THE NETHERLANDSThe ETI is a non-profit organization set up in 1990 with the aim of concentrating and distributing diversity of information by means of multimedia computer technology. ETI has developed a user-friendly universal biodiversity software programme,..