Plantlink

In an effort to find better ways to harness the wealth of information on the World Wide Web, PlantAmerica has introduced a series of customized search engines and filtering tools called “The Learning Network”. The backbone of “The Learning Network” is “PlantAmerica’s Plant-Link”, a customized version of the 88,000 entry USDA plant list – to which a cluster of tools and educational resources are being added.

The latest addition, “PlantAmerica’s CustomSearch” was developed under the direction of Dr. Eric Marler, formerly of IBM* , later (1993) co-founder of the Global Health Network, an ardent horticulturalist and botanist. *(From 1975 – 1993, Dr. Marler was responsible for IBM’s pro bono partnership programs at universities in Asia, Latin America and Canada. Pro bono, these programs were aimed at national development priorities and helped lay the foundations of the Internet).

The resource is a combination of: 1. The listing of plants – by common, family and genus/species names, 2. A sorting filter of plant characteristics – bud, bark, seed, root, propagation, disease etc., and 3. A second filter that sorts alphabetically by keyword or domain. 4. The query is assigned a unique code which is automatically attached to the search request. 5. The search engine in turn, simultaneously uses 10 of the most powerful search tools on the Internet to locate and form links to the URL’s that specifically meet the chosen criteria. (URL means Universal Resource Location in effect the location of any Web Site)

The user can interface with “PlantAmerica’s CustomSearch” directly at . However, by virtue of technology recently incorporated, PlantAmerica will soon be able to supply URLs so that sponsors can also “tag” plant names or plants images at their web site. The user, by simply clicking on the “tagged” item, can link directly with the specific search query.

Both “PlantAmerica’s Learning Network” and its’ “CustomSearch” can be posted at any qualified horticulture Web Site. There is no cost and no advertising – although several corporations have offered underwriting – a gesture that is most appreciated. Any organizations wishing to make use of this resource – or willing to partner in the effort to how to improve it – are welcome to contact [email protected] or [email protected].

We look forward to your participation.