[Rockhounds] Fw: SOFTWARE FOR INDENTIFYING MINERALS

[Dennis Buffenmyer]

T

>OK, NOW I'm going to climb far out on a limb:
>
>Now think about taking Mindat to the next level. That is; adding an expert
>system. Why Mindat? Well, to me it's a great mineral database that is open
>to the expert and amateur world input. Mindat brought mineral ID peer review
>to the common rockhound and expert alike.
>
>Perhaps, initially, we could add a decision tree section into every mineral
>family with subsections under every mineral. In there we can, individually
>and collectively, build the decision tree so necessary for an expert system.
>In these sections, fresh from identifying a new sample mineral, people can
>enter the decision pathway they followed. Also, there might be base decision
>trees already in the Mindat message boards.
>
>Just my mouth and mind running on, but there it is. 
>
>Ted Kowalski
>Fredericksburg, VA, USA
>
>
>  
>
This is obviously just thinking through typing, but, I agree that mindat 
might be the best starting place to build onto. Perhaps the best thing 
would be to build into it a matter of probability. I.E. you know you 
have a specimen that is from
locale xyz and it has a hexagonal crystal structure. Perhaps entering 
these two criteria alone would be enough to search the database to put a 
probability that the mineral is such; or with additional input criteria 
that would increase the probablity of being such. I suspect though, that 
what perhaps the concern is, the hope of finding a really rare mineral 
or new mineral. I.E. lets say that you have a hexagonal crystal from xyz 
local but xyz local is not known to have any hexagonal cystal system 
minerals, then, additional criteria would have to be entered to help 
increase the probability identification of said mineral.
I like the idea of starting with mindat in that pictures are worth a 
thousand words, BUT, can be misleading. The case in point of course 
would have to be Mont St. Hilaire, where from a picture, it might be 
easy to mis-identify a gmelinite for a mal-formed catapleite or visa 
versa, in which the identification of the matrix rock would also be in 
question. I need to make sure that no one takes me for an experts 
opinion, as the experts have the tools at their disposal to make the 
determinative ID, but rather as a hobbyist who is among the group 
looking for such a tool that would be useful in our quest for greater 
knowledge.
In thinking of this, it might be best when a question arises about the 
ID of  a mineral when attempting to make your own ID, that on the label, 
( here again, how many times has it been emphasised here, how important 
is it  for the archiver ) that  the specimen was purchased as such BUT 
you have reason to believe it "MIGHT" be such,  based on the criteria 
that you have documented with the specimen. Or that you found such a 
specimen and believe it to be, abc based on the criteria you have 
listed. could only add to the provenance and future value of the specimen.
Certainly it would be hoped that those who are classifying themselves as 
"professional" mineral dealers or mineral specialists are taking the 
measures needed to positively ID the specimens before charging exuberant 
prices for a guess.
Perhaps this whole thing might best be summarized to leave it as... the 
specimen is labled as "abc" because we "believe" it to be "abc" based on 
xyz criteria......

humble offerings....
Dennis Buffenmyer