GeoStrat

The GeoStrat Digital Information System (GeoStrat) provides a desktop working environment for stratigraphy-related geologic data. Providing a secure private working space, access to public data, imbedded GIS capabilities, and visualization and analytical tools, it may be used by individuals, collaborative projects, and organizations in support of research, publication, and public outreach. GeoStrat is an evolutionary version of PaleoStrat that it replaces. It has been designed to move away from the classic web site that delivers static information to the next generation of web-accessible, digital information systems. The desktop application is both a portal to data and a working environment for the researcher. Data are stored on a central server and locally on the desktop or laptop computer. The data owner retains control of access to all data stored on the server. GeoStrat has a modular framework which makes modifying and expanding the application easy and fast. This allows us to respond quickly to community requests for new capabilities and suggestions for enhancing established functionality.

Used on a daily basis, GeoStrat will minimize the effort of placing data into accessible databases, helping to meet funding agency and other requirements, as well as promote collaboration among researchers. It can be a repository for data published in journals, books, etc. Individuals and groups of researchers can develop "projects", where data, maps, images, reports, etc. are shared among participants. Such projects are private until "published" for public viewing. Projects can also become a new way for public outreach. Projects can be static (date-time stamped) or dynamic. In dynamic projects, as new data are entered, any products (maps, reports, diagrams, etc.) generated by tools in the application are automatically updated. GeoStrat decreases data management time and costs by providing a universal approach to data acquisition and assessment, publication, and public outreach. GeoStrat systems can be "branded" with an association's colors, logos, etc. to support organizational recognition and ownership.

A basic operating principle of GeoStrat is to partner with existing databases, data sites, and organizations to maximize data availability for users and minimize duplication. It is critical that the sources of data are permanently and consistently credited to the individual, group, project, and to the database that hosts the original data. The system will have an accessible public interface to insure that data are disseminated to whoever may need them and will allow users to develop attributed education and outreach components. Presently, GeoStrat handles a breadth of sedimentary, paleontologic, stratigraphic units (lithostratigraphic, sequence stratigraphic, etc.), lithologic, geochemical (chemostratigraphic), geochronologic, and related data. It is being expanded to accommodate paleomagnetic data, and continues to solicit user input on new data types.

GeoStrat Desktop Application

The GeoStrat Desktop is a modular desktop software that is designed to become a daily workspace for the geoscientist. Presently in alpha, Desktop will continue to add features and fixes, and we encourage its use and most importantly, giving us feedback on how to fix and improve it as soon as the beta comes online. Please check back frequently to see when it is available for download.

Desktop provides a secure, private working space as well as access to public data, imbedded GIS capabilities, and visualization and analytical tools, it may be used by individuals, collaborative projects, organizations and companies. Designed to move away from the classic web site that delivers static information, Desktop is part of the next generation of web-accessible, digital information systems. A desktop application provides both a portal to data and a working environment. Data are stored on a central server, but also may be stored locally on the desktop or laptop computer. The data owner retains control of access to all data regardless of where stored. Data from cooperating databases can be accessed and imported into your work space and the sources of these data are permanently and consistently credited to the individual, group, project, and to the database that hosts the original data. Desktop is designed to be used on a daily basis, thus easing issues of data entry. Individuals and groups of researchers can develop "projects", where data, maps, images, reports, etc. are shared among participants. Such projects are private until"published" for public viewing and projects become a new way for public outreach and publishing results. Projects can be static (date-time stamped) or dynamic. In dynamic projects, as new data are entered, the products (maps, reports, diagrams, etc.) are automatically updated. Desktop's vision is to provide a universal approach to data acquisition and assessment, publication, and public outreach. The modularity of Desktop allows it to be easily modified and extended to meet specific needs of the user community.