1. Request for Comments on Web Archiving of Japanese Shashi
2010 年 3 月 25 日
Request for Comments on
Web Archiving of Japanese Shashi
Introduction
Thank you all for your kindness to give me the opportunity to talk
about Japanese Shashi. Especially, I want to say thank you to Mr. Hiroyuki
Good. He has a good memory and requested me to talk about what I asked
him last year. Last year, after the meeting of Shashi interest group, I asked
him “Nowadays, like usual books and magazines, Shashi is transferring from
paper to web. Isn’t it time to collect and archive website of Japanese
companies?” Today, I’m going to tell you my idea and proposal to realize my
idea. As you see “Request for Comments” in the title, this is a kind of
suggestion; I want to hear your honest opinions after my talk.
Crisis in Japanese Shashi in the age of Digital
As I mentioned already, my main topic is web archiving of Japanese
companies’ websites. Some of you may feel like “Why is web archiving
required, when we can use Wayback Machine by Internet Archive
Foundation?”
[Slide #2]
Crisis in Japanese Shashi
in the age of digital #1
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Of course Wayback Machine is a great web site, but we can’t use it if
we don’t know URLs. So, Wayback Machine is not perfect. We should have
more usable system and interface.
Moreover we have to hurry up setting up web archive of Japanese
Shashi because every day, so many companies go to bankrupt and vanish.
Let me show you some numbers.
[Slide #3]
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2. Request for Comments on Web Archiving of Japanese Shashi
2010 年 3 月 25 日
Crisis in Japanese Shashi
in the age of digital #2
Companies 3M
domains 0.3M
Failed Firms 13k
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At this time, the numbers of companies are more than 3M as of 2008
according to governmental stats. Second line is the number of companies
which have their own domains, which means websites. As of beginning of
this March, there are 0.3 M company domains are published. And last year,
at least 13k companies went to bankrupt (TDB). It means that we might
have lost those failed firm’s records and histories.
Way of Archiving against Crisis
How should we face this crisis? Honestly saying, I don’t have any
clear plan, but I can offer a possible direction of web archiving based on my
experience as a member of the national committee to discuss the possibility
of web archiving in Japan for several years.
My plan is as follows.
[Slide #4]
Way of Archiving against Crisis
1. Collecting all URLs
2. Developing relations
1. Internet Archive
2. National Diet Library (NDL)
3. University of Tokyo
3. Collecting past and present
companies’ websites
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First task is to collect all URLs of Japanese companies. Second one is
developing relations with relevant organizations like Internet Archive,
National Diet Library (NDL) and University of Tokyo. Internet Archive has a
huge web archive and provides it on the web. NDL have the right to archive
public and governmental websites without permission from the first day of
the next month by revision of NDL law. University of Tokyo has a huge web
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3. Request for Comments on Web Archiving of Japanese Shashi
2010 年 3 月 25 日
archive called “Socio Sense” internally, though it is not known among people.
Third is collecting past and present companies’ websites from relevant
organizations I just mentioned. Finally, this is very important. How do we
make money to do that?
Fundraising for Web Archiving
My answer to the final task is fundraising. We have good news.
Library Advancement Foundation was established in 2008, and established
grants in 4 fields. How many people know this foundation and grant? Raise
your hand, please. Thank you. For your reference, Library Advancement
Foundation has a strong connection with TRC, because basic fund of this
foundation is actually from Mr. Tsutomu Ishi, the founder of TRC. And the
basic fund is 4 billion and 0.7 M dollars were granted to 14 applicants.
So, my idea is very simple. How about applying for this grant?
Actually, the foundation will start accepting applications very soon, on April
1st. Detailed schedule is as follows.
[Slide #5]
Fundraising for Web Archiving
April 1 Start Accepting
April 30 Deadline
Initial Screening
May 14
(by document)
Final Review
May 22
(by interview)
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Deadline of application is the end of next month. 2 weeks after
deadline, initial documentary screening will be done. And the interview for
final review will be held on May 22 in Tokyo.
What should we do?
This is my plan. But still there is a remaining task. According to the
rule of Library Advancement Foundation, only organizations and individuals
in Japan can apply for their grant. It means that this interest group can’t
apply directly. But as all of you know well, commitment of this group is very
necessary because you’ve played a big role for a long time to develop
Japanese Shashi.
Here is my last proposal. Though there is only a month until deadline,
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4. Request for Comments on Web Archiving of Japanese Shashi
2010 年 3 月 25 日
how about organizing the network for Japanese Shashi development?
[Slide #6]
What should we do
Japan-America Network for
Japanese Shashi Development
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I think, people in Japan and people in United Sates can cooperate
with each other. Concretely saying, if some of us agree with this proposal,
let’s establish “Japan-America Network for Japanese Shashi Development”,
this is tentative name. I’m looking forward to hearing your opinion about
whether you agree with this plan or not.
[Slide #7]
Thank you!
Makoto Okamoto
President / Producer,
Academic Resource Guide, Inc.
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Reserved.
Thank you.
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