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Researchers often contact DSS for specific data, and they may need consulting help with the science aspects of the data or about technical storage, computing, and error recovery issues. We estimate that we have about 4,000 of these contacts per year. A given "event" with multiple contacts is only counted once. In addition to this, there are many more people who obtain information files or small amounts of data from our web interface.
The DSS section of this report describes how DSS staff keep monitoring technology that will help DSS help users obtain data and reduce costs. We also have to keep inventing methods that will preserve or enhance ease-of-use for users.DSS staff use their scientific and technical skills to prepare more information about the datasets (metadata), and to invent ways to present it to users. During December 1999 - July 2000, DSS had a major project to design and implement a new research data website with enhanced usability.
The development of the datasets usually involves a hefty component of R&D work. We have to run appropriate computer diagnostics to discover any systemic errors (data with wrong dates, observations at wrong locations, observations assigned to the wrong atmospheric levels, etc.). Then we have to go through a test-and-discovery process to figure out how to solve the problems.
DSS staff fills large numbers of requests for data via several transfer methods: magnetic tape, CD-ROMs, and online (FTP and web). This effort is described in this report at Scientists use a lot of data from DSS and Volume of data being used.
SCD ASR - Table of contents