Extensis Portfolio
We have finally been given the go-ahead from computing services to purchase and install Extensis Portfolio here at the University.
The purchase of Portfolio ends the search for an image management system (IMS), also known as a digital image repository, to incorporate and build on the slide collection currently held at Somerset Place, and promote the responsible use of copyright-cleared images by staff and students.
The slide collection at Somerset Place has over 50,000 images, but despite being a superb resource its use has fallen as the convenience of Google/Flickr has risen. We will purchase a few clients to manage the collection, Portfolio Server to host the collection, as well as Netpublish; a piece of software allowing us to present our collection to students via the web. For stability we are going to try and purchase SQL connect, which will have the ability to support large collections and allow our Netpublish websites to be customised (eventually).
Once the finance for the system has been arranged, our biggest issue for the success of system is copyright. A huge majority of the slides are covered by DACS (Design and Artists Copyright Society), which is yet to confirm their stance on digitising the slides bought under their licence. As a result we will be left with an initial collection of around 5,000 slides which have either been copyright cleared, or the copyright is owned by the University. I really hope that the DACS licences can be cleared up and quickly – this would unable Nigel Paine (our images Librarian) to provide an unbeatable service for students and staff.
I am really excited about this project particularly as it was one of the first I have been presented with since joining Bath Spa.
