We have appreciated your feedback and ongoing interest in the
directory through the years.
Many of the upgrades integrated in MD9.7 are the result of user
feedback. The additions
and changes to the directory are listed in the "GCMD's MD9.7 Version
Release (April 2007)".
Highlighting MD9.7 is a redesigned web site, along with reconfigured metadata displays.
With the increase in metadata content, the keyword taxonomies have
been deepened and
extended to help users further refine the search. Please note the
addition of a new Science
Topic and the ability to navigate a five-level hierarchy of keywords.
[See "Disclaimer" below.]
Greater emphasis has been placed on direct access to data and
services through the "Get Data" and "Get Services" tabs within the
DIF and SERF records. In addition, the docBUILDER authoring tools
have been strengthened to focus on the importance of platforms and
instruments employed in the collection of data. These descriptions
are now known as: Ancillary Descriptions for Instruments (AD-I) and
Ancillary Descriptions for Platforms (AD-P)'s. The keywords
associated with ancillary descriptions, such as these, also serve as
valuable refinements in the search for data.
Disclaimers:
The GCMD's Earth science keyword taxonomies were developed over more
than a decade
and continue to evolve. The taxonomies are used for the search and
retrieval of Earth science
data-related information from the GCMD database and are therefore
limited by the breadth
and depth of current content. Keywords are added when needed to cover new science-focused content.
The keywords for many data set descriptions (DIFs) have been
re-mapped to the new five-level taxonomy: Topic, Term, Variable_1,
Variable_2, Variable_3, and Detailed Variable. Many science
keyword changes are related to the availability of these new
levels; other changes are related to the addition of the new
Biological Classification Topic. Services keywords have undergone
change
but have not yet been extended beyond their original two-level
hierarchy. The Keyword Subscription service will resume TBD.
Additional keyword changes are planned in the near future to
capitalize on the new 5-level taxonomy. To review/change keywords
in your metadata records, simply use the "Update" button when viewing
your DIFs. Alternatively, you may contact one of the science
coordinators (see Staff Page).
Your responses to MD9.7 are welcome. Please ask any questions or
report any problems to
our GCMD User Support representative, Kathleen Moreland.
Thank you. We hope you enjoy the new look and functionality of the
directory.
Lola M. Olsen, GCMD Project Manager, and the GCMD Staff
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