Sidebar 4:

How Does One Establish a Network Information System?

One good approach to start an information system is to identify a
common need centering on selected data sets that require integration
and are pertinent to an on-going research question. A working
relationship between several scientists in addition to an ongoing
data exchange creates an environment conducive to future exchanges.
Thus a beginning may involve just two people agreeing to put a year
of temperature data into a common format. This is the start of a
partnership.

Further developments might include the exchange of the
data in several different formats and a web posting to make the data
more readily available. With web communication established, the
participants might want to set up a mailing list to let others know
about the project and offer comments. This small start can grow into
a multi-investigator exchange of temperature data or into a
collaboration large enough to require more specialized data handlers
at the local site or a central location. Throughout the development of
a data system, it is essential to stay focused on facilitating on-going
research.