Rapid Assessment of the Coastal Ocean Environment
227
dows. Oftice file formats are therefore inappropriate for data exchange. By careful
choice of the format of electronic products, especially of raster graphic images, the
file size can often be remarkably decreased.
REA relies on state ofthe art communications technology and computer network
software. The data flow from acquisition and primary data processing to the generation of derived products and further to appropriate presentation to the end user,
cannot be expected to be defined in standard procedures yet. The construction of
the data collection and distribution system requires expert knowledge of modem
technology. At the same time, in-depth knowledge is required of the essence of the
disseminated information. To make an REA communications system functioning,
computer specialists, network managers and scientists work closely together. In a
fully satisfying REA communications system, scientists have experience in the
generation of electronic products, and network managers have a scientific background and a clear idea of the needs of the end users.
Feedback and continuing discussion guarantee for optimum results at the end of
an REA communications chain. Data originators continuously monitor the product
that is delivered to the end user and verify that the product is presented correctly
without degradation by inappropriate integration into the context of other expositions. Data managers give advice on data formats that would comply with a general
standard, increase readability or diminish the requirements for transmis sion bandwidth.
.
11.7.5 Distribution and impact ofinformation
The final customer must be seen as part of the information chain. It is highly
desireable that the customer takes part in the definition of data products and its presentation. Different from usual publications, which will sooner or later find the
intended audience, REA products are available to a limited number of users who
have the proper network connection. The suitable complexity of REA products
very much depends on who the customer is and what capability he has for highervolume digestion.
A major navy command being the customer of REA products likely has good
communication channels and a staff of meteorology and oceanography experts who
would be happy to receive detailed and complex environmental descriptions and
predictions, even contradictory assessments from different origins. Smaller units
and sub-commands that cannot spend time on environmental assessment need concise filtered products.
Security issues complicate data fus ion and dissemination, if part of the information is to be released only to a subset of participants. Special password protection
can be used to limit access only to authorized persons. By identity checks at login
time, it can be decided by the data server which part of information is offered to a
customer, who would not even get knowledge about the existence of denied products.
Data protection and restricted accessibility by selected members of an REA
effort might be necessary in exceptional cases because of industrial proprietary
227
dows. Oftice file formats are therefore inappropriate for data exchange. By careful
choice of the format of electronic products, especially of raster graphic images, the
file size can often be remarkably decreased.
REA relies on state ofthe art communications technology and computer network
software. The data flow from acquisition and primary data processing to the generation of derived products and further to appropriate presentation to the end user,
cannot be expected to be defined in standard procedures yet. The construction of
the data collection and distribution system requires expert knowledge of modem
technology. At the same time, in-depth knowledge is required of the essence of the
disseminated information. To make an REA communications system functioning,
computer specialists, network managers and scientists work closely together. In a
fully satisfying REA communications system, scientists have experience in the
generation of electronic products, and network managers have a scientific background and a clear idea of the needs of the end users.
Feedback and continuing discussion guarantee for optimum results at the end of
an REA communications chain. Data originators continuously monitor the product
that is delivered to the end user and verify that the product is presented correctly
without degradation by inappropriate integration into the context of other expositions. Data managers give advice on data formats that would comply with a general
standard, increase readability or diminish the requirements for transmis sion bandwidth.
.
11.7.5 Distribution and impact ofinformation
The final customer must be seen as part of the information chain. It is highly
desireable that the customer takes part in the definition of data products and its presentation. Different from usual publications, which will sooner or later find the
intended audience, REA products are available to a limited number of users who
have the proper network connection. The suitable complexity of REA products
very much depends on who the customer is and what capability he has for highervolume digestion.
A major navy command being the customer of REA products likely has good
communication channels and a staff of meteorology and oceanography experts who
would be happy to receive detailed and complex environmental descriptions and
predictions, even contradictory assessments from different origins. Smaller units
and sub-commands that cannot spend time on environmental assessment need concise filtered products.
Security issues complicate data fus ion and dissemination, if part of the information is to be released only to a subset of participants. Special password protection
can be used to limit access only to authorized persons. By identity checks at login
time, it can be decided by the data server which part of information is offered to a
customer, who would not even get knowledge about the existence of denied products.
Data protection and restricted accessibility by selected members of an REA
effort might be necessary in exceptional cases because of industrial proprietary