IDN Services and SERF Update

Heather Weir

Earth Science Related Tools & Services

• Contains:– Descriptions of commercial and non-commercial, Earth

science tools, resources, and services– Used in analyzing, processing and evaluating Earth science

data sets.

• Types:– Data analysis and visualization, data handling, hazards

management, metadata handling, models, Earth science educational resources, environmental advisory services, and information services

Earth Science Related Tools & Services

• Background:– Built on the same architecture and design of the original

dataset-based search system

– Now an integrated part of the IDN

– Searchable database

– Service Entry Resource Format (SERF) record contains all pertinent information about the service

• NEW:– Availability to directly link to these tools and services from

the data set descriptions, and, a link to data sets that can be utilized with the tools.

Earth Science Services Parameters

• Topics– Data Analysis and Visualization – Data Management/Data Handling – Education/Outreach– Environmental Advisories – Hazards Management– Metadata Handling– Models– Reference and Information Services

NEW Earth Science Services Parameters in July 2004

• New Variable:– Data Management/Data Handling > Data

Networking/Data Transfer Tools

• Modified Topics:– Data Management/Data Handling– Reference And Information Services

Earth Science Service Parameters: Models

• An original service parameter. • Divided into ‘Numerical’ and ‘Physical’ models. • Considered adding the science parameter under each

term, such as: Atmospheric Models, Geological Models, etc., – Example: Earth Science Services > Models > Numerical

Models > Atmospheric Models • NASA/MSFC Global Reference Atmospheric Model-

1999 (GRAM-99)

• Chose not to so - because this would constitute double keying: all SERFs are keyed with science parameters and the variable name. – Earth Science Services > Models > Numerical Models

Earth Science Services Parameters

• Are we missing other types of service parameters?

• If so, what needs to be added?

Earth Science Related Tools & Services Homepage

Content Metrics• Web site changes precipitated changes in collections

of metrics. – “Front-end” changes

• Addition of docBuilder

• Use of tabs across all pages

• Removal of frames

– “Back-end” changes• Overhaul of directory structure and packaging of log files and

script locations

– Metric scripts are constantly evolving• Coordinators provide feedback from month to month

• Content is shifted to be more prevalent or hidden based on usage

Total SERFs In IDNJan. 2001- July 2004

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Jan-01 Apr-01 Jul-01 Oct-01 Jan-02 Apr-02 Jul-02 Oct-02 Jan-03 Apr-03 Jul-03 Oct-03 Jan-04 Apr-04 Jul-04

Month

SERF Totals

Distribution of SERFs

Hazards Management3%

Information and Reference Services

9%

Metadata Handling3%

Data Handling17%

Data Analysis & Visualization32%

Models11%

Environmental Advisory8%

Education/Outreach17%

Data Analysis & Visualization Data HandlingEducation/Outreach Environmental AdvisoryHazards Management Information and Reference ServicesMetadata Handling Models

Distribution of SERF Usage

Environmental Advisory14%

Information and Reference Services

11%

Hazards Management10%

Models12%

Metadata Handling12%

Data Analysis & Visualization16%

Education/Outreach12%

Data Handling13%

User Activity (Service Parameter Hits)August 2002 – July 2004

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Aug-02 Oct-02 Dec-02 Feb-03 Apr-03 Jun-03 Aug-03 Oct-03 Dec-03 Feb-04 Apr-04 Jun-04

Month

Number of Hits

Data Analysis & Visualization Data HandlingEducation/Outreach Environmental AdvisoryHazards Management Reference and Information ServicesMetadata Handling Models

Introduction of the new web page

Praise from Bernhard Buckl (DLR) in Tromso

• Presentation is intuitive• Good granularity of service taxonomy• Services can be easily located• Service discovery is included as service category• GCMD keywords can be included - thus referring

to the data set topics related to the service.• A Free text search• Very easy to use authoring tool• SERF update review is fast

Suggestions from Bernhard Buckl • Some subcategories have too many entries. Additional search capabilities (see below) or

another category level could help.– Visualisation/Image Processing (255)

• Mixing of category/subcategory level should be avoided– Geographic Information Systems contains itself plus Web Services

• Free text search for common abbreviations like WCS should yield results even if not included in the SERF (maybe an unfair requirement for a “free” text search) [Semantic web might help here.]

• A search capability for the GCMD science keywords included in a SERF would be very useful (are there services dealing with my Earth science domain?) [Refine by capability will help resolve “are there services dealing with my Earth science domain?”.]

• Also a geographical search (are there services covering my AOI?)• Locating GCMD Services with other search engines would be nice to have [Search

engine robots will be allowed to harvest the GCMD services.]

Conference Calendar

Conference Calendar Metrics

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35

Jan-03 Feb-03 Mar-03 Apr-03 May-03 Jun-03 Jul-03 Aug-03 Sep-03 Oct-03 Nov-03 Dec-03 Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 Jun-04 Jul-04

Months

Number of Entries

NEW UPDATED DELETED

Earth Science Links Page

• Added Features– Enhanced Link Navigation

• All pages can be accessed from left hand navigation.• Link subcategories added (previously displayed long

scrolling list of links for each page).

– Functionality to “Free Text Search” the links.– New “Add A Link” comment form for user request– Link to Demo

User Support• User questions relate to locating maps and images, climate

data, and sources of information on various science topics.

• Archive all user questions and answers online at: http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/User/user_support/archive.html

• A few sample questions:

"I am looking for an aerial or satellite photograph of my father in-law’s land in British Columbia , Canada."

"I am looking for data on the Marianas Trench. Has it been changing in any way?" "I'd like to know about atmospheric conditions (ex. Great Northern Lights) and be alerted as to when they are."

User Support Metrics

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

# of Questions Answered

2003 2004

Kudos

• Users “thank us” for our services often. We receive feedback from users through email and at conferences.

• Some typical responses from users:• Helen Pan was in search of satellite and space photographs of China.

She responded, “Thanks a million. It is powerful. I can't get these pictures in China.”

• Hailie Cook was in search of global warming information. The user replied, “Thank you so much for the websites you sent.”

• Mallory Guerin was in search of UV-B radiation and rainforest information. The user responded, “Thank you so much for taking time out to help me. I think that I will be able to use this information in my

paper.”

LearningCenter

Data You Can Use

Solid Earth