NationStates Jolt Archive

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It is being hailed as one of the greatest achievements ever by Ariddians. The English version of the Encyclopédie Ariddienne has finally been released to the public, with the title Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia. It is a translated and updated version of the francophone enclopedia, which took several decades to complete, and was written as a collaborative project involving thousands of expert contributors.

Only two paper versions of the Standard World have been printed. The Encyclopedia totals 71 volumes of about 800 pages each, and a total of almost 79,000,000 words. An additional four volumes serve as a comprehensive index. Of the 71 main volumes, 26 constitute a Coup d'Œil ("glance"); these volumes offer relatively brief articles for quick reference. The other 45 volumes offer much longer, in depth information on each topic.

One of the two printed version of the Standard World will be kept at the National Library of Ariddia (http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:O4lvFwtB85MJ:ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/National_Library_of_Ariddia+%22National+Library+of+Ariddia%22&hl=fr&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=fr) in Rêvane. The other will be donated to a foreign library, selected from requests. (Similarly, there are two printed versions of the francophone Encyclopedia, one in Rêvane and one in Neorvins, Kelssek.)

Instead of being widely distributed in print, the Standard World is being released in electronic form. A full version is available to purchase as a CD set. In addition, the Encyclopedia is being released online at http://encyclopedie_ariddienne.ari/en (The url http://standardworld.ari/en redirects to that address.)

Adam Knowles, a professor of history at the University of Rêvane, and a leading contributor to the Encyclopedia, explains:

"We wanted to produce something that would, indeed, be a world standard for excellence, as a source of knowledge. The Encyclopedia's motto is 'Everything you never knew you wanted to know'. I hope it will excite readers' curiosity. The encyclopedia is designed with embedded links taking you from one article to another. You'll find more or less everything on history, geology, botany, geography, astronomy, linguistics, physics, culture, cryptogamy... Everything."

The online version can be edited by a restricted list of recognised experts. However, any person may contact the encyclopedia's editorial staff to submit changes and additions. Any such suggestions will be carefully reviewed over a lengthy period by a cross-panel of experts before being added.

Contributors are already working on an updated version of the francophone version. A Wymgani version is expected in a few decades' time.

Professor Knowles and others who have worked on the Standard World hope it will become the international reference as the world's best, most detailed and most comprehensive encyclopedia.

Vetalian National Archive

The Archive would like to request permission to produce the Russian-language version for the use of our country's citizens. We feel this will further the educational reach of this remarkable work and allow it to better serve the needs of the billions of Russian speakers around the world that would otherwise be limited in their ability to appreciate this remarkable work.

Our version will also contain previously unreleased excerpts of the newest edition of the Annals of Vetalian Economic Theory, the magnum opus of our country's research in to economics, business, and the history of these fields. We hope this will enhance the work you have already completed for the Encyclopedia and will further convince you of the merits of our institute in producing the translated version of this encyclopedia. These excerpts will be fully free for any and all to use in their own research as well as future editions of the encyclopedia.

Regards,
Director Leonid Artsybashev, VNA

Library and Archives Kelssek would like to purchase 700,000 copies for government use. They will be distributed to schools, colleges and universities as an educational resource and to local libraries.

The Mages' Guild of Khrrck respectfully wishes to request a paper copy of the Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia so that it may be preserved for posterity.

The Eternity Library, located on the lowest level of the Guild, is famed worldwide for its collection of priceless works, including many single-copy printings, unpublished manuscripts and unwritten chronicles. When not on display, these precious volumes are kept in a special climate-controlled oxygen-free atmosphere under a spell of Stasis.

Since the improvements and repairs conducted in 312 SA, our security is second to none. The lower subterranean levels on which the Library is stationed are guaranteed to be proof against all manner of catastrophe, including (but not limited to) direct nuclear bombardment.

Your unique volume would make an excellent addition to our selection, and under our care it will remain intact and serve to educate humanity for millenniums to come. We hope that you will consider us as worthy candidates for the caretaking of this volume.

[OOC: Assume that this request is dated some time after Future Shock - security's been improved since then.]

Standard World to be translated into Russian

The University of Rêvane has confirmed that the Vetalian National Archive will be producing a Russian-language version of the Standard World encyclopedia. The Russian version will include excerpts from the Annals of Vetalian Economic Theory. If completed before the Wymgani version, it will become the third language version of the Standard.

"I wish the staff and translators of the Vetalian National Archive good luck, and a lot of patience," said Professor Adam Knowles of the University of Rêvane, commenting that it would take a "long, long time".

The University has acknowledged an offer from the Eternity Library of Khrrck to house one of the two printed versions of the Standard in English. The University of Rêvane, and other leading contributors to the Standard, have said they are "very impressed" by the Eternity Library, and would give due consideration to Khrrck's request.

Meanwhile, electronic copies of the English language version have been shipped to Kelssek, the country which houses one of the only two printed forms of the original French language encyclopedia.

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Flip through the Encyclopédie Ariddienne

LOCAL| by Gail Enteberry

Members of the public will be able to look, see and touch the only printed copy of the Encyclopédie Ariddienne outside Ariddia tomorrow at the National Library of Kelssek.

The public day where anyone may come to handle the set of books which make up the Francophone world's preeminent reference work, albeit in a tightly controlled environment patrolled by security guards, is a monthly event on the last Friday of each month, but tomorrow guests will witness a special event as a ceremony will be held to commemorate the arrival of over 700,000 DVD discs, each containing one copy of the English-languague version Standard World, in Kelssek.

The Ariddian ambassador O Lish is expected to perform a symbolic handover of one of the discs to Alice Ngoei, president of Library and Archives Kelssek. The discs are being distributed to schools and local libraries.

The Encyclopédie Ariddienne will soon be moving from the main building on Canada Square, however. It is set to anchor the library's new extension, set to be completed in 2009.

The Coppland Wing, named for former director of NLK William Coppland, will house an extensive collection of French-langauge literature and documents. It is being built on Victoria University of Neorvins grant land, a deal which will allow the university special access to many other valuable or rare books and documents.

Outside of public days, the paper form of the Encyclopédie Ariddienne is considered part of the rare books collection and is only accessible by members of the academic and scientific community. Access, however, is not as restricted as with some other documents.

Terry Kryztof, who is in charge of the collection, says, "It's a special case because it's not really rare or fragile, just that we don't want people vandalising or damaging it, which is going to happen if access is casual. Most times it's just sentimental. I think research and reference is easier with the electronic version, but you still get a thrill seeing it in print form. And each page takes less than 0.01 seconds to load."

Office of the Bike in Arridia

On behalf of the government of Jeruselem, we are requesting a version of the Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia be written in Latin. That's traditional Roman Catholic Latin, not that Pingin Latin some nations use. While the people of Jeruselem are able to read the French and English versions, our government likes it's Latin because ... well, most idiots on the street can't read it.

We also request to purchase 1 million DVD copies of this Encyclopedia. This is not because Jeruselem's Internet infrastructure is third world, but a lot of our people live in small villages where getting power is a bit of luxury, let alone high speed Internet. These will be used mainly for the poor and isolated schools which don't have any Internet access. Yes, we could give them Internet access via satellites but we don't have a lot spare capacity on our satellite network for that the moment.

To add to the Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia, Jeruselem can offer copies of original Dead Sea Scrolls as additional reference material. The originals are too fragile.

Lady Dazzarina Handiskya Dallas
Jeruselem's Ambassador to Arridia

To Whom It May Concern,

The Valerian Imperial Board of Education would be interested in purchasing rights to publish these books in The Valerian Empire for use in school and universities. Either that, or perhaps Ariddia can publish it in Valerian for use in the empire. We think it would be a most valuable source of knowledge in the Valerian educational curriculum.

Sincerely,

Avvakum Viktorov
Head of the Valerian Imperial Board of Education

To: Ambassador Dazzarina H. Dallas

Lady Dazzarina,

We will be happy to provide your country with one million electronic copies of the English language version of the Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia. Allow me to commend you and your government on your efforts to bring knowledge to remote schools and communities.

Copies of original Dead Sea Scrolls are gratefully received.

Regarding your request for a translation of the Standard World into Latin, I regret to inform you that it would not be feasible at present. Having seventy-one massive encyclopedic volumes translated into Latin, with the necessary technical and linguistic expertise, would be a lengthy and complex task. At present, we are working on updating the French language version, and on preparing a Wymgani language one. However, it may be possible to authorise persons in Jeruselem to prepare a translation, which we would be happy to recognise as the official Latin version.

Sincerely,

Jean-Charles Astre,
Professor of Botany,
University of Rêvane
(jc.astre@univ-revane.edu.ari)


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To: Avvakum Viktorov,
Valerian Imperial Board of Education

Dear sir,

Thank you for your interest. We would be glad to authorise the Valerian Imperial Board of Education to publish the Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia in the Valerian Empire.

Sincerely,

Jean-Charles Astre,
Professor of Botany,
University of Rêvane
(jc.astre@univ-revane.edu.ari)

Sincere congratulations to the writers and editors of this impressive work.

Perhaps the second English volume could be displayed in the World History Library (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=347501)?

To: Ambassador Dazzarina H. Dallas

Lady Dazzarina,

We will be happy to provide your country with one million electronic copies of the English language version of the Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia. Allow me to commend you and your government on your efforts to bring knowledge to remote schools and communities.

Copies of original Dead Sea Scrolls are gratefully received.

Regarding your request for a translation of the Standard World into Latin, I regret to inform you that it would not be feasible at present. Having seventy-one massive encyclopedic volumes translated into Latin, with the necessary technical and linguistic expertise, would be a lengthy and complex task. At present, we are working on updating the French language version, and on preparing a Wymgani language one. However, it may be possible to authorise persons in Jeruselem to prepare a translation, which we would be happy to recognise as the official Latin version.

Sincerely,

Jean-Charles Astre,
Professor of Botany,
University of Rêvane
(jc.astre@univ-revane.edu.ari)


Office of the Bike in Arridia

RE: Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia

We would honoured to send our people to help create a Latin version of the Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia which is legit and official. I have asked my daughter to authorise this (I'm sure she will, I'm her Mum), and get our experts out there to start working on this project.

I am sure there are nations who would love a Latin version. We are planning to give one to the Vatican as a gift, one with the usual extra touches. Yes, I am Catholic even if people don't believe me.

Lady Dazzarina Handiskya Dallas
Jeruselem's Ambassador to Arridia
thebike@ambassador.gov.jew

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By the Motions,

I write to you as an interested scholar and seeker of knowledge. For almost 1000 years the adherents of Aatem Nal have sought to catalogue and record human knowledge, history, and development, and throughout the nation of Snefaldia and several others thousands of institutions hold digital and physical records of these matters. Our faith considers the pursuit of knowledge to be one of the highest ideals, and I express my personal happiness hearing that the Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia has been published.

My request as a representative of the many institutions, congressess, and councils of Aatem Nal is thus- the inclusion of the Encyclopedia in all Aatem Nal institutions, and rights to reproduce the content within for educational purposes and archival use. I must explain it is common practice for our religious intitiates to spend several years copying and archiving texts as training, as well as memorizing works as a mnenomic excercise. Although we have our own encyclopedias and encyclicals, the introduction of foreign works into our repertoire would only broaden our religious mission and engender better understanding of the world.

Our linguists will work with your publishers to provide Snefaldian language translations into the various tongues used in our nation, as well as in the native scripts and alphabets in use. I would also like to encourage further collaboration and cooperation between Aatem Nal institutions and Ariddian educational establishments, for the greater advancement of knowledge.

May the search for knowledge advance unmolested!

Sa'at ad Rata'a
Senior Librarian of the Grand Library of Serasarda
Loremaster Rank 4

The Isangrad Times
The Valerian Imperial Board of Education Announces a Valerian Version of the Encyclopedia of the World

Following a sign of a deal with Ariddia over publishing the Encyclopedia of the World in The Valerian Empire, the Valerian Board of Education announces that a new Valerian language book of the Encyclopedia is to be released and to be used in Valerian classrooms as "fine learning material". Avvakum Viktorov, Head of V.I.B.E., has announced it to be included in the various regimens taught at Valerian universities and to make it available as a prime reference source. "This book will be very valuable in The Valerian Empire and its universities," Viktorov reported.

As to who would publish the Encyclopedia in The Empire, the deal has went to a small company, Drakon Books and Paper Mills, Inc. Viktorov has reported that he gave the company a large sum of 100 million Valerian Crowns to have the book published for Valerian government use and for limited public purchase (after all, the Imperial Government pays for school and university texts). The first textbook will be published in a week after the translation from French to Valerian is completed.

English Encyclopedia donated to Eternity Library in Khrrck

The University of Rêvane has announced that one of the only two printed versions of the Ariddian Standard World Encyclopedia has been donated to the Eternity Library in Khrrck. Electronic versions will be provided to the World History Library.

In addition, the University stated that rights have been granted for the Encyclopedia to be included in all Aatem Nal institutions in Snefaldia.

Encyclopedia contributors have said they are "pleased and flattered" by the fact that the World Standard is to be translated into several languages, including Valerian, Latin and Snefaldian.