[Killietalk] From Jean Huber

[Barry Cooper <bjc3 at centurytel_net>]

Posted on behalf of Jean Huber:

Dear aquarists,

I am extremely pleased to announce the publication of a new (huge) book :
"Killi-Data Catalogue" (2006 edition : published on December 10), ISBN :
2-9527283-0-5.

What is it ?
The Catalogue is an (automatic) excerpt of the data base in full colors and
with 1028 pages (about 1000 pages for the database part). What similarities
and differences with the online database : the listing is alphabetical, each
name is followed by 2 color photos (male, female, i.e. more than 1200 color
photos in total, laser quality), with all identity data, with all systematic
knowledge, with all aquarium breeding and maintenance data, and with a map
of distribution... but there are not more than 2 photos per species, there
are no research data, there are no collecting locality listings and there
are no bibliographic sources, simply for space reasons (already 1000
pages!).

Why is it published, while already on Internet and to whom it is best
suited?
It has been published so that the online data base exists as an official
publication. It is primarily aimed at non Killi-data online members and
aquarists who can afford the acquisition (even if it is sold at marginal
cost and even if it is cheap compared to the price of both Wildekamp's and
Seegers's volumes in total), notably those who want to have a paper book as
a reference.

Why didn't you split the book into 3 (like Seegers) or 5 (like Wildekamp)
volumes, it would have been cheaper and easier to handle?
This book is not a professionally printed product and it is not aimed to be
sold by hundreds (maybe just a few dozens or less... first come, first
served) for several reasons: it was decidedly prepared in order NOT to
jeopardize Wildekamp's and Seegers's series (then only 1 volume with all
names in alphabetical order), it is not designed to be in competition with
the online data-base (that competition is hopeless : Internet is
continuously updated, it is without comparison cheaper -15 Euro for 2 years,
and it saves trees, and not only in Amazonian and African biotopes of our
fish!). Nonetheless those, who have seen it, judged the book as a milestone
in killifish edition and a marvellous object! (and a book remains a book,
whatever is the (bright) future of the Internet).

What are the detailed contents compared to the Internet data-base?
In comparison to the Internet data-base, no bibliographic references and no
collecting localities are given due to space constraints, no detailed data
on color patterns and morphology, and only a maximum of 2 color photos per
species are shown (1 male and 1 female... versus up to 10 on the web). But,
for each name, the identity is complete (including a description diagnosis),
the systematic status is detailed, the distribution by country is forwarded
(and maps are added) and the full ecological niche is presented
(conservation status included), together with tips and full coverage for
aquarium breeding and maintenance (aquarium populations are listed).

Will it be published each year?
Not at all. If there is a follow-up it may in 3 or 5 years (maybe on a CdRom
if technical evolution permits and if ICZN code confirms present rules).

How to obtain it?
Write an e-mail first to be sure that there are available copies at
editions at killi-data_org  and to know details for payment. To buy a copy you
cannot use Paypal sorry (I have to pay the printer), you must send 155 Euros
(registered postage being included) via an international (post office) money
order to me personally (or you have to manage a bank transfer).

Isn't it expensive?
If you guess so, then ask a printer what would be the cost of a 1000+ pages
book in full colors and with a small size police character of text (= a lot
of ink)!

Where may I have a look to a copy?
B&W complimentary copies have been sent to public libraries linked to
international Museums (Paris BNF, London NHM, San Francisco CAS, New York
AMNH, Rio de Janeiro UFRJ, Tervuren MRAC, Bonn ZFMK). They should be
obtainable after usual administrative indexing by these Institutions, except
for Paris where it had to be legally deposited in colors. More conveniently
you may have a look at the sample page for a species at: www.killi-data.org,
then read "New Publication", and click on SAMPLE

When will I get it?
About 1 month after your money has been credited on my account. Please note
that, like all Killi-Data Editions, this is a non profit venture !

What about the other standard publications of Killi-Data?
They are still alive : the new Pocket Killi-Data 2007 (a yearly small
booklet of 32 pages with all names) has been published in January 2007 and
is only available through partnering Killifish Associations, and brand new,
the book Killi-Data 2007 has been published on 27 February which replaces
the previous old 2000 edition (with a fifth language!). Hopefully it will be
also distributed by your association (and luckily it holds the same number
of species as the Catalogue, because no species was described, this year,
between December 10 and year end... this means that the localities, index
and bibliography, missing in the Catalogue, are actually in the standard
book!). With this edition, each language stands on its own and weighs 410
pages!
Let's finish up by thanking all aquarists who cooperated and contributed to
Killi-Data over the years or those who sent money to build grants for
researchers and new young collectors (already 3000 US$ distributed)...
without forgetting the computer guys who wrote the complicated programs. As
an author, undoubtedly, I like these push-button books : so little to do
(while keeping French humour!).

Take care of your beloved fish (so difficult to study for us).

Dr Jean Huber

PS: on another issue, may I stress that Killi-Data promote the authorship of
new articles by hobbyists in aquarium magazines... if you intend to write a
paper on a given species, just ask for its file excerpted from the
database... you'll avoid errors, you'll enrich your text, you'll be up to
date (to obtain a file, go to the website www.killi-data.org , and read in
the home page how to process for this "new service to aquarists").


-- 
Barry J. Cooper
Sweet Home, OR 97386

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