netCDF use at WHOI

• To: netcdfgroup@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
• Subject: netCDF use at WHOI
• From: kegp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (k.prada)
• Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1992 07:14:18 EDT

In response to requests for additional information concerning our work
on the Oceanographic Analysis Resource System (OarS) and the Basic
Oceanographic Analysis Toolkit (BoaT), I have made available a draft
version of information and conventions.  It is in PostScript form and
can be accessed in the /oars directory of the anonymous ftp account at
isdl.whoi.edu.  The file name is convention.ps.  A second PostScript
file (flow.ps) contains a diagram of the OarS concept that might be of
interest.

This set of conventions is a draft and not complete.  The compliance
rules are minimal at this stage.  We expect some additions but hope
they are few. We are trying to make compliance easy, to foster use and
emphasize versatility.  We welcome feedback and input to aid in the
development of this concept.

Mixed time base storage considerations are discussed in this document.

The core of the toolkit is in early developmental stages here. 
The full toolkit is expected to be based, in large part, upon the
contributions of users in all disciplines within the oceanographic
community.

The core toolkit will probably handle most all netCDF files to some
degree, regardless of compliance.  However, compliant data sets will
have the advantages of access, search, and other advanced functions
based on the level of compliance.

OarS and BoaT are intended to be freely available via anonymous ftp. 
We wish to support and maintain an ftp distribution facility for user
contributed software that supports netCDF and/or OarS oceanographic 
data processing.

We are currently seeking support, from a variety of sources, to:

    - begin serious concentrated work on the core toolkit
    - implement a netCDF based data access method for shipboard use
      with a variety of data classes (navigation, meteorology, etc.)
    - consider a data base concept based on networked netCDF data sets

I will be happy to provide additional information or discuss the above
proposals.  Thank you for your interest. 

___________________________________________________________________________
            Ken Prada                 |
Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering |Organization is critical to success.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution  |
       (508) 457-2000 Ext 2711        |Try eating a soup sandwich.
          kegp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx          |