Enhancing scientific discovery and problem-solving through integrated research.

The Powell Center advocates using technology to share, integrate, and manipulate existing scientific information to generate new insights. Powell Center Working Groups tackle earth system science issues by amalgamating existing information, requiring onsite expertise to manage, merge, share, and query large data sets. Scientists routinely bring diverse data sets to team meetings requiring advanced computing support. Computational needs of various Working Groups are highly variable, tailored to individual needs, and met as close to immediately as possible by highly qualified information technology and informatics staff. Integration and analysis of large, diverse datasets requires extensive knowledge of appropriate software use, data accessibility and storage, and metadata generation. Working Groups include an informatics manager to coordinate data management and technical nuances with Powell Center staff.

Powell Center Technical Capabilities

Each Powell Center Working Group will be able to request assistance with the following information technology support:

• data load (files, database, and GIS);
• data modeling and relational design;
• metadata generation;
• output presentation options (Web outputs);
• publication template support;
• remote conferencing abilities;
• wireless internet connection for laptops;
• access to copiers, printers, and plotters;
• plotting support;
• database access (Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLServer);
• GIS support (ArcGIS server and image server; ArcGIS client connections);
• on-site data and model processing (dedicated virtual machines, either Windows server or Linux/CentOS).

Powell Center Working Groups are provided with on-line collaboration tools in the myUSGS system, which include:

• private collaborative wiki for informally sharing information, archiving discussions, and organizing ideas;
• document management space, large storage capacity allows data in various formats;
• unique context space in the USGS ScienceBase enables Working Groups to identify and segregate data sets, internet links, models, and other on-line sources of interest.

These myUSGS tools are accessible from any Internet connection. Upon proposal acceptance, the tools are established for each Working Group, allowing for advance preparation prior to meeting.

If additional storage, processing power, general support is needed, or if specialty software would help the Working Group, please contact AskFort@usgs.gov.

Links to Additional information

Reporting requirements and data management plan templates and information

Guide to Information Technology Tools available to Working Groups

Information Technology Checklist for Working Groups

USGS ScienceBase

USGS Fort Collins Science Center Information Science Branch