Launching the Math-Net Page
IMU’s activities on electronic information and communication
One major aim of the International Mathematical Union (IMU) in the field of information and communication is to improve the worldwide access to mathematical information for the mathematical community and, generally, for everybody interested in mathematics. For that reason, the IMU established its Committee on Electronic Information and Communication (CEIC) in 1998. The activities of CEIC comprise all aspects of electronic information and communication in mathematics.
Math-Net Pages are an instrument to make the information of mathematical institutions electronically available in a well-structured way. Additional Math-Net Services facilitate search and access. The IMU invites all institutions to join the Math-Net activities and to install Math-Net Pages.
The history of the Math-Net Page
The concept of Math-Net Pages evolved in the framework of the Math-Net project in Germany that aimed at the creation of a distributed information and communication system for the German mathematical community. This project focussed on:
- the development of a human infrastructure (appointment of information coordinators at all participating institutions)
- recommendations for the institutions to structure their local Web sites (which resulted in the initial concept of the Math-Net Page)
- building up of services (such as MPRESS for preprints, PERSONA MATHEMATICA for information about mathematicians, NAVIGATOR for Math-Net Pages)
The Math-Net Pages and the related Math-Net Services have found broad acceptance in Germany. Almost all German mathematical departments and research institutes have installed Math-Net Pages. Under the guidance of CEIC, these concepts have been extended and further developed to meet the needs of the international mathematical community. The current Math-Net page of the University of Cologne, Germany below shows an example of this new international Math-Net Page.
The idea of the Math-Net Page
A problem with the existing (sometimes beautifully designed) homepages of mathematical institutions is that many of them differ significantly with respect to structure and contents. Beauty does not necessarily support user-friendly navigation and search. With the Math-Net Page, an attempt is made to standardize the presentation of departmental information so that a user, wherever he or she opens such a page, feels at home immediately. The Math-Net Page, intentionally simple in its design, supports various search mechanisms via the use of metadata. It is not intended to substitute an existing homepage. The Math-Net Page is meant as a useful addition (a secondary homepage), addressing the user looking for simple and intuitive access to local information. The Math-Net Page has a standard version in English. The naming of the entries on the page can be customized, of course in languages different from English.
An extensive analysis of the material offered by mathematical departments revealed that, in most cases, it can be subdivided into the following six groups: General, People, News, Research, Teaching, and Information Services. These groups and their subgroups, see the example above, form the backbone of the Math-Net Page. In addition, there are links to regional and international Math-Net Services and to local Web pages such as the primary homepage of the department or the homepage of its university.
Generating the Math-Net Page with the Math-Net Page Maker
The Math-Net Page Maker is a form based tool for a quick and easy generation of Math-Net Pages.
In addition, the Math-Net Page Maker allows the user to edit existing Math-Net Pages.
Disclaimer
The Math-Net Page Maker has been intensively tested. IMU, CEIC and the developers of the tool, however, will not be liable for the proper functioning of the software. In case of difficulties, please contact
Math-Net@zib.de.