Question: independent harvester interface?

[Ray Plante]

Hi Gang,

Here's the second question from the small list I promised I would bring 
up.

Should we make the harvest() function independent of the searchable
interface? 

Section 3.2 of the RI describes a currently unimplemented function
that allows harvestable registries to tell harvesters to start
harvesting. This is the only way a harvester can learn about a new
harvestable registry (apart from someone sending an email). This
question concerns whether this function should be strictly tied to the
searchable interface, or should be made independent.  This affects how
the RI WSDL is defined.  

In the latter case, one might have a resource that harvests for a
reason other than to populate a searchable registry. An example of
this is the NASA ADS who is interested in integrating VO resource
records into its abstract database. (See also the GetRegistries
discussion topic at
http://www.ivoa.net/twiki/bin/view/IVOA/GetRegistries) . 

Note that currently the harvesting interface is independent of the
searchable interface as a registry can operate as either type. 

Feel free to respond directly to this email via this mail list.  
Alternatively, you can edit the discussion page for this question on the 
Twiki at http://www.ivoa.net/twiki/bin/view/IVOA/HarvesterInterface.  

Additional questions I will post in future emails can be found at 
http://www.ivoa.net/twiki/bin/view/IVOA/RegistryInterfacePre10Discussion.

thanks for your thoughts!
Ray