The Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)'s Version 9.8 software, just released, now offers:

1. A "Privacy" field to allow authors to restrict the data set description from being publicly available. It provides the ability of contributors to write descriptions in advance of a data being available. The state of the metadata documented can be toggled between public and private to indicate whether the author wants the metadata restricted or made available to the public.
2. The UTF-8 character set, which addresses display issues related to special characters (e.g., international characters, mathematic symbols, etc.). (UTF-8 replaced former use of ISO-8559-1).
3. Automated link checking within the record validation process. 
4. Direct links to related data from Instruments and Platforms.
5. Improved website navigation.  Two new tabs, "Portals" and "About GCMD", replace the tab name "Collaborations" and "Links". The "Links" tab now appears in the small tab navigation at the top, within the black background. The collaborations page is available from the left hand navigation in the "About GCMD " section.
6. Improvements in docBUILDER authoring tool, for authors who are in the process of updating metadata to select the appropriate version.
7. An improved User Comment Form to capture valuable information about “Who are our users?” and specifically what they are seeking, along with an option to provide comments pertaining to the GCMD.
8. Improved display of spatial coverage near the poles and extended display for complete global coverages.

9. Improved DIF display where spatial coverage includes altitude/depth information.