Dear Vladik, Dear Friends,

[...], but my impression was that most units use some free software tools to do it. I asked around a little bit, the colleagues whom I ask do not know which software is the easiest to use, [...]

Regarding software, there are the publicly available ones that do not require technical management, such as BibSonomy <http://www.bibsonomy.org/> and Zotero Groups <https://www.zotero.org/groups/>. If management of the database by SIPTA were to be considered, there are self-hosted options such as WikIndx <http://wikindx.sourceforge.net> and refbase <http://www.refbase.net>.

All of these are web-based and therefore platform-independent; all of these allow BibTeX import & export, which seem to me essential requirements.

Maybe some formal or informal interest groups can launch such a system?

And if someone figures out how to set up such a database, others can copy the arrangement? This will be very helpful to our community.

The first step would be to have people test options such as the ones I've mentioned. Anybody: if this interests you, please don't hesitate to test a system and get back with a small report as a reply to this thread. The upcoming ISIPTA in Pescara would be the ideal opportunity to discuss this idea and make concrete plans if enough people support it.

Best,

Erik

-- http://ac.erikquaeghebeur.name