Laits' Papers

Introduction

DIAL is a web-based data and information system that enables scientists and small data producers in Earth science to format, document, and distribute data through their desktop computers. The system allows data users, by using common Web browsers, to interactively search and select data in DIAL sites, manipulate and visualize the selected data, and download selected data in their favorite forms in terms of spatial and temporal coverage and resolution, parameters, and data formats. Multiple DIAL sites can form a network of data providers through DIAL's interoperability protocols. While maintaining the independence of individual DIAL sites, a network of DIAL nodes can provide a unified information space, which would enable data users to search and access data in all sites in the network by querying just one of them. DIAL was developed by a team led by the PI of this APN project with more than $2.5 million of funding from NASA. Currently more than 2,000 copies of DIAL software system have been distributed to scientists and data producers around the world.

The objective of this APN project is to build sustainable data and information system (DIS) capacities and activities in the Asia-Pacific region for supporting key global change studies in individual countries and across the region by using the DIAL system. The activities include 1) establishing a DIAL-based network of interoperable data and information systems in the Asia-Pacific region; 2) training staff in the collaborating institutes on data and information management; and 3) providing user support on DIAL system and data preparation

Outline of Activities Conducted

For each host institute, we provide both DIAL and NWGISS software. In addition, we also provided installation help and the technical help for them to ingest data into the systems for distribution.

The training was concentrated on providing the latest information and knowledge on global change data systems and teaching the trainees on use and management of both DIAL and NWGISS systems. The topics of the training are listed as followings:

Introduction to NASA EOS program
Introduction to NASA EOS data products
Introduction to HDF and HDFEOS data models
Introduction to computer programming to access/read/write HDF/HDFEOS data
Introduction to OpenGIS Interoperability program
Introduction to NASA's Data and Information Access Link (DIAL)
Introduction to NASA's Web GIS Software Suit (NWGISS)
Installation of DIAL
Installation of NWGISS
Demonstration of DIAL
Demonstration of NWGISS
Set up sample data sets in DIAL and NWGISS (e.g., MODIS data covering Southeast Asia)
Set up other data set used in the host institute in DIAL and NWGISS so that they can be accessed/queried/obtained through the Web (using DIAL and NWGISS).

The network conductivity is the biggest issue in developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region. For the host institutes in the five countries involved in this project, only those in China and Thailand have relatively adequate internet connection that enables clients in other nations to access data in DIAL or NWGISS servers. The slow internet connectivity adversely affects the web-based data sharing in the Asia-Pacific region.

For more information, contact:
Prof. Liping Di
Laboratory for Advanced Information Technology and Standard (LAITS)
George Mason University
9801 Greenbelt Road, Suite 316-317
Lanham, MD 20706, USA
Phone: 301-552-9496,
Fax: 301-552-9671
Email: mailto:lpd@rattler.gsfc.nasa.gov