1. R. Thieman: Large Database Access and Usage in the Earth and Space Sciences
229
The National Space Science Data Center has been working on this problem in
various ways. Within the NSSDC many user access, data information, and data
distribution services are offered using computer systems that have been built over
a period of many years. There are data available in astronomy, space physics,
planetary science, solar physics, life science, and micro gravity areas and these are
distributed by magnetic tapes, printed materials, CD-ROMs, and direct network
connections. Other services offered are online newsletters, bulletin boards, and
bibliographic information on relevant standards and technologies. NSSDC is
presently engaged in a program to make it easier for the user community to access
and use these systems in an interoperable manner. Thus, the NASA Master
Directory and underlying more detailed information systems are being integrated
to make an overall interoperable NSSDC system. We invite users to try the NSSDC
information systems at any time as they evolve and provide us with the feedback
we need to improve the service.
The Interoperable Systems Office within NSSDC has responsibility for this
program. NSSDC shares interoperability techniques with other NASA
organizations as well as other federal organizations and world-wide groups. We are
always interested in the techniques they have developed as well. Periodic
interoperability workshops have been held to encourage this sharing of ideas.
Contact the author for further information.
5 CONCLUSION
In conclusion it can be said that it is clear that access to data via network
connection is increasing rapidly. Heavy usage is being made of the publicly
available interoperable network search tools, but the text searching approach that
some of these tools use does not always guarantee satisfactory results in a nonuniform search environment. The online directories and interoperable systems that
take a structured, standardized approach to finding data and information are still
very worthwhile. The National Space Science Data Center continues to work in this
area in order to provide the community with improved tools for data access and
management. The true test of these approaches is the amount of usage the
community makes of such tools and the feedback acquired as a result.
KEYWORDS
World-Wide Web, internet, network, database, space science.
REFERENCES
[I]
Thieman 1. R., "The International Directory Network and Catalog Interoperability", Remote
Sensing Reviews, 241-253 (1994).
[2]
"Directory Interchange Format Manual, Version 4.1", Publication #93-20, National Space
Science Data Center, NASA/GSFC (1993).
[3]
"ION World Guide", Publication of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, (1994).
229
The National Space Science Data Center has been working on this problem in
various ways. Within the NSSDC many user access, data information, and data
distribution services are offered using computer systems that have been built over
a period of many years. There are data available in astronomy, space physics,
planetary science, solar physics, life science, and micro gravity areas and these are
distributed by magnetic tapes, printed materials, CD-ROMs, and direct network
connections. Other services offered are online newsletters, bulletin boards, and
bibliographic information on relevant standards and technologies. NSSDC is
presently engaged in a program to make it easier for the user community to access
and use these systems in an interoperable manner. Thus, the NASA Master
Directory and underlying more detailed information systems are being integrated
to make an overall interoperable NSSDC system. We invite users to try the NSSDC
information systems at any time as they evolve and provide us with the feedback
we need to improve the service.
The Interoperable Systems Office within NSSDC has responsibility for this
program. NSSDC shares interoperability techniques with other NASA
organizations as well as other federal organizations and world-wide groups. We are
always interested in the techniques they have developed as well. Periodic
interoperability workshops have been held to encourage this sharing of ideas.
Contact the author for further information.
5 CONCLUSION
In conclusion it can be said that it is clear that access to data via network
connection is increasing rapidly. Heavy usage is being made of the publicly
available interoperable network search tools, but the text searching approach that
some of these tools use does not always guarantee satisfactory results in a nonuniform search environment. The online directories and interoperable systems that
take a structured, standardized approach to finding data and information are still
very worthwhile. The National Space Science Data Center continues to work in this
area in order to provide the community with improved tools for data access and
management. The true test of these approaches is the amount of usage the
community makes of such tools and the feedback acquired as a result.
KEYWORDS
World-Wide Web, internet, network, database, space science.
REFERENCES
[I]
Thieman 1. R., "The International Directory Network and Catalog Interoperability", Remote
Sensing Reviews, 241-253 (1994).
[2]
"Directory Interchange Format Manual, Version 4.1", Publication #93-20, National Space
Science Data Center, NASA/GSFC (1993).
[3]
"ION World Guide", Publication of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, (1994).