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SucculentGuide.com Custom Nomenclature
Introduction to the SucculentGuide.com Custom Nomenclature Application
Introduction
As stated in the explanation on the nomenclature page, the taxonomic system on SucculentGuide.com is dynamic and a reflection
of many different systems. This page is an introduction and explanation of the SucculentGuide.com Custom Nomenclature application. This on-line or "web-based"
application frees SucculentGuide.com from being "pigeonholed" into a static, singular statement of succulent plant taxonomy. Additionally, this application
provides the unique ability to compare multiple systems of succulent plant nomenclature in detail without sacrificing the ease of use for the novice or hindering the
usefulness of SucculentGuide.com as an identification aid.
How It Works
The SucculentGuide.com Custom Nomenclature application is a complex, database-driven on-line resource that enables users to rearrange the taxonomy on
SucculentGuide.com within the existing range of all possible names per individual taxon. Each taxon may be split or lumped at the species level or at
the level of subspecies, variety, and form. User-specific notes may be added per taxon or at the genus level. This system is then stored on SucculentGuide.com
and can be accessed from any internet connection with the correct username and password. Users may set up a system for their own personal study or they may
choose to make their system available for others to view.
New users can create a login on the user sign-up page. There are two primary types of users: individuals
and publications.
An individual user is someone who creates a user account that reflects the taxonomy that the individual holds to. This individual taxonomy
may be a reflection of that individual's extensive field study or might simply be the personal preferences of an amateur hobbyist or that of
the professional nurseryman.
A publication user may be managed by an individual or a group of individuals and it reflects the taxonomy as used in a particular publication.
This system can then be shared with others so that they can compare the nomenclature used in various publications. The home page for these publications
will provide a summary of the treatment in that publication and genera that are not affected by the publication will be left as the default SucculentGuide.com
system. While logged in, users will be notified if a genus is unchanged by the system they are viewing. This feature does not in anyway infringe on authors'
copyrights as all of the content that is used on this site is property of SucculentGuide.com.
The Custom Nomenclature application simply recategorizes that information based on the publication. The categorization itself is not protected by copyright laws.
When a user is logged into the system as administrator, a user may edit the content of their home page by adding a representative image and a description of the taxonomy
they have chosen. Users can then select individual species on the site starting with the default classification and change as many names as they choose. New names or those that I
somehow missed when building the database may be submitted for inclusion on a case by case basis using a simple built-in notification feature.
Once a user is satisfied with the classification they have constructed, they may choose to make the system public. If they do so, the system will automatically allow
guests to login using their Display Name for username and "guest" for the password. A guest user is able to view the custom home page for the
individual user or publication user that they are visiting and will see the species listed per that classification as well as the user taxon notes.
However, guest users will not be able to make any changes to the system.
Why It Was Created
With the on-going disputes between the existing taxonomic systems of both past and present, it became apparent to me that no singular
publication was sufficient on its own and no such system is even visible on the horizon. Likewise, it occurred to me that unlike print publications,
an online publication can be made dynamic and simultaneously reflect current names and past names in a clear and orderly fashion. Furthermore, as new
discoveries are made these changes can be reflected in real-time here on the site and these changes are immediately accessible world-wide.
In recognizing this potential, it was evident that this system must be created sooner or later. Since SucculentGuide.com is the most comprehensive website
in existence that is dedicated to the entire cactus family and strictly to the cactus family, it was only appropriate for this one-of-a-kind feature
to be incorporated into SucculentGuide.com.
Last, but certainly not least, the SucculentGuide.com website is supported by the collective knowledge of individuals on the SucculentGuide.com CactiForum.
This support is invaluable to me as one man trying to tackle this monumental task. I gladly recognize the members of the forum
and herein express my gratitude for their contribution to this website.
Custom Nomenclature Home Pages
Below are links to some of the more notable home page users:
