Specific Questions and Answers
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Answer |
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What is InfoBank?
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InfoBank, KnowledgeBank's field data catalog, is
a structured information storage scheme of databases and
software that provide organized access to
USGS Coastal and Marine data and metadata.
InfoBank can be accessed through the Web at
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/
InfoBank consists of:
- databases (collections of associated information),
including metadata about field data collection activities,
digital data from field data collection activities,
analog materials from field data collection activities, and
related information;
- software that organizes and sorts the information;
- Web interface that presents the information to users.
Data are stored as ASCII text documents, Arc coverages, images,
spreadsheets, and videos in structured Unix subdirectories.
Fortran programs, Shell scripts, and AWK scripts used for
formatting and processing the data are also stored in InfoBank.
InfoBank may be searched using Google or other internet search engines.
InfoBank-specific Google searching is provided within InfoBank.
The data may be viewed using a web browser.
Files may be copied using the browser's "save as" feature.
Thematic collections of many geo-referenced data sets
are provided as .kmz's for browsing with Google Earth.
Metadata are provided in metadata standard version FGDC-STD-001-1998
format in faq, outline, text, and xml forms.
Metadata may be accessed through the Web.
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What is InfoBank's role in the USGS?
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InfoBank is a product of the
United States Geological Survey (USGS)
Coastal and Marine Geology Program (CMGP),
Menlo Park, California.
The Program conducts geologic, geophysical, and
related oceanographic studies on the
continental shelves, slopes, and coastal zones of the US.
In addition,
these studies may be carried out on a worldwide basis and
in cooperation with other countries.
The Coastal and Marine Knowledge Bank (CMKB)
provides an electronic organization, presentation, and
interactive capability to utilize the nation's
CMG knowledge assets.
CMGP data and information produced are multi-disciplinary and
must be easily accessible to research scientists,
Government policy makers, and the public.
The CMKB is intended to preserve and utilize data,
information, and knowledge for present and future benefit.
CMKB is a cross-program product of
all three CMGP Centers
participating in ad-hoc teams and in meetings.
The Data Acquisition, Processing, and Storage (DAPS) group
develops, manages, and maintains
InfoBank and Field Activity Collection System (FACS).
InfoBank is CMBK's field data catalog.
It is a structured information storage scheme of
databases and software that provide organized access to
USGS CMGP data and metadata.
InfoBank consists of databases and software.
The databases (collections of associated information) include
metadata about field data collection activities,
digital data from field data collection activities,
analog materials from field data collection activities, and
related information.
The software organizes and sorts information.
A web interface presents the information to users.
Within InfoBank,
FACS provides a method for gathering
fundamental information (metadata) about
field activities and
a system for archiving associated physical materials.
The FACS physical materials databases include
geospatial information about the location
where the materials are kept,
about the layout of storage areas at the location, and
about the content information with descriptions of
physical items in containers at the location.
Metadata may be accessed through InfoBank over the Web and
are provided in metadata standard version
FGDC-STD-001-1998 format in
question-answer, outline, text, and xml forms.
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How do I download data from InfoBank?
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On a PC, raw data can be obtained by these steps:
- Open the raw data file in your browser.
- Choose "Save As..." under the File menu.
- Choose the file type as Text File.
- Select destination.
- Click Save.
On a Mac, raw data can be obtained in two ways.
- Drag and drop closed documents to the desktop or a designated folder.
- If document is open, select all first (Command-a)
(za) and then
drag and drop the document to the desktop or designated folder.
The ASCII text document can then be opened in your favorite text application.
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How is data submitted to InfoBank?
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Submit data using the FACS (Field Activity Collection System) forms at
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/programs/html/main/facs.html
.
The forms are submitted to the
USGS CMG FACS team
by diskette or email attachments.
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What database is used in InfoBank?
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Data are stored as ASCII text documents in structured Unix subdirectories.
Fortran programs, Shell scripts, and AWK scripts are used for formatting the data
(see
More / Other Topics / InfoBank Programs
).
FileMakerPro is used for database management.
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Who can I contact to see samples and profiles?
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USGS CMG FACS Coordinators
.
The USGS CMG Menlo Park Core Curator is
Kathy Frazee
.
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Can I borrow your log books and seismic profile rolls?
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Analog materials in the Western Region CMG Research Libraries can be checked out by
Western Region CMG staff only.
All other users are welcomed to use the analog materials only in the Research Libraries.
Copying or duplicating services are not provided.
For analog materials at the Woods Hole, MA, or St. Petersburg, FL, Research Libraries,
contact the
FACS coordinators
.
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What is the checkout procedure for analog materials?
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Analog materials in the Western Region CMG Research Libraries can be
checked out by signing the check-out forms in each of the Research Libraries.
All items must be listed along with your name and phone extension and check-out date.
When finished, items must be returned to the same location and
the user must record the return date for each item on the check-out form.
For Woods Hole, MA, or St. Petersburg, FL, Research Libraries,
contact the
FACS coordinators
.
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Where can I get forms to take out to the field?
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USGS CMG FACS
.
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Where are the field notes archived?
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Field notes and other related analog materials are archived in the
USGS CMG Research Libraries
.
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Can I get samples for dating, chemical analyses, and petrographic study?
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Sample Distribution Policy
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How soon does InfoBank get the data from current projects?
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Usually within six months following the completion of the field activity.
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How do I get an Activity ID assigned for my activity?
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Contact the
Menlo Park FACS coordinator
.
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What ships are currently maintained by CMG?
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Research Platforms
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Where are the cores stored?
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Where is MARFAC located?
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In what areas did Paul Carlson conduct his scientific investigations?
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Are there bathymetry data for the San Francisco Bay?
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Who was the chief scientist in the 1964 Alaska Earthquake Hazards Project?
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Who was the information specialist for the Monterey Bay Project?
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Who can access InfoBank?
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Information can be browsed and copied by anyone.
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How can InfoBank be accessed?
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Just as you are doing now -- through the Web at
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/
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How can information be entered into or modified within InfoBank?
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New or modified information and data should be submitted for inclusion to
Clint Steele or
Carolyn Degnan
to be reviewed and installed.
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Who maintains InfoBank?
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InfoBank is maintained by a database team (
Clint Steele,
Carolyn Degnan, and
Gerry Hatcher)
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How do you get more help?
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For further assistance contact
Clint Steele.
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Does CMG have NGDC CDs?
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Some.
Who has them?
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