LTER Databits

Fall 2009 Current Issue
The 'Fall 2009 Databits' publication is here and is full of great articles for your enjoyment. In this issue you will find a 'Feature Article' describing some recent revelations from a cross-site exchange among LTER information managers as well as range of 'News Bits' articles that report the progress from four key network information management working groups, reveal various site methods for handling GIS metadata, and document one sites' fallout following a hurricane. There are also 'Good Tools and Programs' articles detailing an open source plotting library program and Firefox extensions for web developers. The 'Good Reads' section showcases a number of interesting publications that may interest you. And finally, this issue has a 'Commentary' outlining one potential continuing education opportunity for information managers. Enjoy!

Spring 2009
The Spring 2009 Databits is here and is full of some great articles: Following the presentation of ProjectDB at the 2009 LTER Science Council Meeting Wade Sheldon provides a great introductory article for those interested in getting started with XQuery and the native-XML database eXist, the primary technologies used for that project's development. Complimenting this is an article by Margaret O'Brien on the lessons learned from the ProjectDB workshops. A contributing guest author, Sonja Palfner, shares her experiences doing collaborative work in e-infrastructure. There are 'Good Tools' articles for the rapid development of MySQL table-editing interfaces, software for managing sensor-network data, an auto-documentation tool for relation databases and an online site providing online courses in software development and management for scientists and engineers. In 'News Bits', read about some important Information Management workshops that occurred. And enjoy a great set of three reviews of articles sharing a common thread central to the work of LTER information managers. Enjoy!

Fall 2008
With at least one article in six of the seven categories, there's plenty to read in this issue of the LTER's Databits. This Featured Articles section contains an introductory technology guide, a review of this last year's introduction of video-conferencing practices into the LTER IM community and more. Read two reviews of papers centered on data management practices in the Good Reads section. The News section contains an update and review of a current LTER IM project, and in Commentary read an overview of a course taught by the well-known Edward Tufte. Also, there are some new useful applications reviewed in the Good Tools and Programs sections. And don't forget to take a look at the Calendar in this issue for a list of upcoming event dates. Enjoy!

Fall 2007
Featured in this issue: As the diverse nature of this issue illustrates, DataBits continues to be a platform for exchanging wide-ranging ideas and resources for strategically and practically improving the practice of scientific Information Management. This issue features an article on career development in the field of Information Management by Karen Baker, a longtime LTER Information Manager who also conducts theoretical research in this field. We also hear critical opinions on the pros and cons and progress of networking in LTER, and learn of the status of a new and welcomed network project. The "Editorial" section has been renamed "Commentary" in order to capture the experience of community participants and to suggest that observations and opinions presented are open to dialogue. We also added a new section - "Good Tools and Programs" - for sharing experiences with third party tools and utilities, which starts off with three very handy contributions. Finally, this issue concludes with discussions and suggestions for further reading and a far from complete calendar promoting Information Management related meetings and conferences.

Spring 2007
Welcome to the Spring 2007 issue of Databits! Twenty-two authors or coauthors submitted articles for this issue, which is a testament to the committment of Information Managers to sharing information. The articles represent the diversity of interests within the LTER IM community and highlight a number of current topics. Most notably, there is a discussion about proposed changes in the organizational structure of the IM committee that would better integrate the GIS working group and the Technology Committee. Additionally in this issue, several articles focus on Ecological Metadata Language, describing recent developments and applications. Lastly, a number of LTER sites will be having their NSF midterm reviews in the coming months. The Baltimore Ecosystem Study was one of the first sites to be reviewed so Jonathan Walsh provided a list of some things to think about as sites prepare for these visits. We hope you find this issue of Databits informative and helpful and we thank all those who contributed articles. Enjoy! DataBits continues as a semi-annual electronic publication of the Long Term Ecological Research Network. It is designed to provide a timely, online resource for research information managers and to incorporate rotating co-editorship. Availability is through web browsing as well as hardcopy output. LTER mail list IMplus will receive DataBits publication notification. Others may subscribe by sending email to majordomo@lternet.edu with two lines "subscribe databits" and "end" as the message body. To communicate suggestions, articles, and/or interest in co-editing, send email to databits-ed@lternet.edu. ----- Co-editors: John Campbell (HBR), Sabine Grabner (MCR)