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Becoming a GBIF data provider
Becoming a GBIF Data Provider
Description of a GBIF training course
Objective
Implementation of the GBIF network
requires knowing how to use the various software tools. The most
basic
requirement is to set up a node and operate a data provider application
on a server computer.
One of GBIF's standards for data provision
is the DiGIR
protocol. This
is course covers installation of the DiGIR provider on both
Windows
and Linux platforms.
This course is often given together with a similar
one-day course describing installation of
the BioCASe unit-level provider,
which is the other GBIF standard for data provision.
The DiGIR network is designed to serve primary data on species
occurrences derived from museum specimens and observational
records. This training is designed to facilitate the development
of a network of DiGIR providers serving primary data. In most
instances these servers will be hosted by the Natural History
Collections or other institutions that hold this type if data. It would
be expected that trainees already have access to these types of data
sets or are preparing to train others that are willing to serve this
type of information.
Target audience
The course is designed for:
- Managers and system administrators of GBIF nodes. Individuals
from Participant nodes and data nodes are strongly encouraged to take
this class and support is available, see below.
- Database custodians and scientists who want to understand how
GBIF data is provided.
Prerequisites
The trainees should have technical competence, as
described below.
- Server operating systems covered (Linux/Unix and/or Windows
2000/XP):
Basic to intermediate level of knowledge.
- Relational databases: Basic knowledge of the concepts.
- Internet: Basic knowledge of web servers such as Apache and
IIS. Basic knowledge of XML.
Overview of content
The trainees will first be given an introduction to the technology, see
a full demonstration of the installation, then do the installation
on their Windows workstations, and finally repeat that on a shared
Linux
server. For each training event, the coverage of these operating
systems
can be adjusted towards one or the other platform depending of the
needs of the attendees.
- Getting to know 30 min
- Introduce trainees and trainers 20 min
- Familiarise with the workstation and the available Internet
connection 10 min
- Introduction 90 min
- GBIF objectives and principles 10 min
- GBIF information system 30 min
- What are GBIF Nodes 20 min
- The DiGIR protocol and the Darwin Core XML standard 30 min
- Installation on Windows workstations 90 min
- What is the GBIF data provider package 10 min
- Install the data provider package 15 min
- Configuration of provider metadata 15 minutes
- Familiarise with the sample biodiversity database used on the
class 15 min
- Definition of resources, including mapping of sample data to
Darwin Core 35 minutes
- Optionally, repeat step 2 on a shared Linux server (all other
steps are the same) 10 min
- Lunch or dinner break
- Introduction to GBIF Registry 60 min
- What is UDDI 20 min
- Registrering the installed providers in UDDI at GBIF 10 min
- Exploring the GBIF UDDI Registry 10 min
- Accessing the data providers 30 min
- Querying the installed providers using an existing search
portal 30 min
- Demonstrations and testing, as interests and available time
dictate. 60 min
- Alternatively, Introduction to GBIF Data Repository Tool. 60 min
- Alternatively, demonstrate installation and use of GBIF Portal
Toolkit 60 min
- Discussion 30 min
- Feedback 15 min
Material
Material will be in English only for the time being.
Duration
Content duration is 7-8 hours. Total duration with breaks is 1 working
day.
If BioCASe provider training is given at the same time,
this course takes 2 days.
Available instructors and languages
Instructors for actual events of this course will be assigned from the
list below.
- Giorgos Ksouris (Greek, English)
- Hannu Saarenmaa (Finnish, Swedish, English)
- Maria Auxiliadora Mora (Spanish, English)
- Patricia Mergen (French, German, English, Dutch, Letzeburg)
- Frédéric Wautelet (French)
- other (please contact us to be included here on a volunteer
basis)
Venues, schedule and registration
See http://www.gbif.org/Support/training/schedule
For classroom requirements, see http://www.gbif.org/Support/training/hosting/classroom/#01.
The trainees are encouraged to bring their own laptops that
fulfil the requirements. Also lighter laptops that do not fulfil
the requirements but may be used
to access
the server could be brought, but should not be announced in
registration.
Availability of financial support
This course is fundamental for GBIF operations and every GBIF
Participant should have the knowledge covered by this course.
Therefore financial support available on a limited basis to attend this
course. To be eligible, you must be in one of the following categories:
- Representative of a GBIF Participant that has never before sent
anyone for this course. (Inquire with training@gbif.org if you are
unsure if your node has already taken this course.) You do not
have to fill all the details of the application form if you are in this
category; the nomination of the Head
of Delegation to GBIF or a Node
Manager is sufficient.
- Observer from a country or international organisation that is not
yet a GBIF Participant, but is considering to join, and needs a more
hands-on experience and information about GBIF’s work. You will
have to fill all the details of the application form, and also send a
letter of recommendation from your government or international
organisation.
- Qualified individual from a developing country, in particular
from the region where the workshop is given. This category of funding
is usually subject to availability from GBIF Supplementary Fund and may
not always be available. You will have to fill all the details of the
application form, and also send recommendations.
For details, see the general guidelines
for applying financial support.
Release notes
Version 0.8, 2004-08-06 Send comments to Hannu Saarenmaa
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