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What
happens to your data when you submit it to NODC?
1. Data and
metadata (simply termed 'data') are compiled by the submitter.
2. Data are sent to NODC by FTP, email, or regular mail.
3. Data are prepared for the archive:
- A record
of receipt of data is recorded in an NODC Tracking database.
- An
exact copy of the original files sent to NODC are copied to archival
media.
- Data
that are transferred to NODC in compressed or zip files are uncompressed
or unzipped.
- Data
are scanned for viruses prior to inclusion in the NODC archive.
- In
most cases, files are converted into ASCII (from MS Excel, MS Access,
FoxPro, etc...) so they will be readable years from now.
- File
format information from the metadata is compared to the submitted
data to assure that the information is correct and complete.
- Gaps
in the file format information and other metadata are filled in by
email or phone conversation with the submitter.
- Specific
metadata may be extracted and placed in the NODC metadata database.
- Data
may be divided into smaller subsets, usually by cruise or observation
type, to facilitate online data transfers. When necessary, NODC will
work with the data submitter to assure that no information is lost
during this process.
4. Data
are placed into the digital archive
- A
copy of the original data and metadata files, as well as any relevant
additional information about the original data are written to the
digital archive.
5. The
digital archive is protected and upgraded.
-
Multiple archival backup copies of all new datasets are made as they
are entered into the system and are stored in on-site and off-site
facilities.
-
Archival
copies are periodically refreshed onto new or more current storage
media.
6. The
online Ocean Archive System is updated to reflect the new data.
7. The
datasets and metadata in the archive are periodically reviewed for completeness
and correctness.
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Additional
metadata is added, if available.
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When
notified of errors or replacement data by the original data submitter,
NODC may make necessary changes to the contents of archived data.
In these limited cases, all changes are annotated in the attendant
metadata and confirmed with the original submitter.
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Some
data are processed further by NODC for inclusion in specialized reference
datasets (e.g., World Ocean Data Base).
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