Hi Brian,

"First, what is your position in all this? Are you simply a non-interested 3rd party who simply sees an opportunity to fill a need for a small select group of individuals? Or are do you have some sort of vested interested in this database? Do you make predictions? Do you analyze predictions?"

I'm a 3rd party, definitely interested else I would not want to do it. I enjoy building software solutions to problems. I have a passing interest in predictions, but haven't made one in years, and not sure I would start again. I have never analyzed predictions, and don't intend to start now. I do however enjoy listening in on the debate and putting in my two cents. There will ne no analysis whatsoever with this proposed project. It's simply a database/web CGI project for me.

"The reason I ask is that there are those who will make accusations regarding accuracy of the archive due to any bias (either direction) on your part. There WILL be claims of inaccuracy or out right editing. How do plan to address this issue?"

When a prediction is posted, it is immediately made available to the public via RSS, email, web page. If I go and change something, everybody will be all over my ass in about two seconds lol, and rightly so. This will be a completely neutral and transparent process.

"Second, although I think your idea has great merit, something which will make your effort almost pointless. That is, many predictors have a vested interest in NOT archiving their predictions."

Then this would no be something they would want to use. Like every other legitimate scientific endeavour, proof on concept is in repeatability. This project gives them a tool to accomplish that.

"Or, if they are archived, they do not want to be tied down to such demanding criteria. Therefore, they will not use it."

Yes, that pesky criteria. The more scientifically acceptable the criteria is, the more scientifically accepted the method that is tested using that criteria will be. The scientific method and transparency are the cornerstones of this project.

Thanks for your input Brian!

Michael