Below you will find a series of tutorials on how to use EcologicalData.org. It is our intention that this site is simple to navigate and easy to interact with. This page is dedicated to help you get off the ground and using this site in just a few minutes. Click a link to be directed to the tutorial most appropriate to your needs.
Please address any problems you encounter HERE. [Tips on Reporting an Issue]
- Finding Data / Search Options
- Dataset Quick Reference
- Bookmarking Datasets
- Getting a Username and Password
- Adding a Dataset (Adding Vocabulary/Categories and tags)
- Editing a Dataset
- Contributing to the Talk/Wiki pages.
- Reporting an Issue
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Finding Data / Search Options
This function is served in multiple ways throughout the website. You can browse available datasets, quick search by category, simple text search, and advanced text search. If you are unsure of the data you are looking for and just wish to browse the list of available datasets, chose the Find Data tab on the main menu. (SHOW SCREENSHOT OF LINK)
On the Find Data page use the Quick Reference Search Box to choose the kind of data you are looking for by checking the keywords within the categories of data (Taxon, Biome, Data Type, Ecological Level, Spatial Scale). (SHOW SCREENSHOT OF QUICK SEARCHED PAGE)
The Simple Text Search is located above the Quick Reference Search Box and finds dataset pages that contains the text typed into the box. Tags or words found in the Dataset Quick Reference will not show up in the results of this search.
The Advanced Text Search is currently under construction and will allow you to search both within the text and the Dataset Quick Reference tags.
Dataset Quick Reference
This box, located on the left hand side of a dataset page, allows you to quickly determine if the dataset is appropriate for your research needs. Each category from the Quick Reference Search Box is displayed with the tags that match the chosen dataset. It also allows you to search the category tags. For instance, if you are interested in all datasets reporting on woody plants after looking at Alwyn H. Gentry Forest Teansect Dataset, just click on the woody plants link in the Dataset Quick Reference box. Note: All links in the body of this website are displayed in RED.
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Bookmarking Datasets
To bookmark a page within this website scroll to the bottom of the page and choose the Bookmark this link. Return to the My Data Wiki Page to see a list of your bookmarks and easily return to those datasets.
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Getting a username and password
Currently this level of interaction is not available within the website. Once active, getting a username will allow you to add datasets and edit currently existing pages. If you are interested in doing this in the future please CLICK HERE to submit your email and recieve updates and opportunities to contruibute further to the website.
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Adding a Dataset
The continuous addition of available datasets is the most important aspect of this website. Any information you have about a dataset can be useful, even if it is just creating a page with a title for later or someone else. You must have a username and password to edit pages on this website [Tips on Getting a Username and Password]. Then follow these simple steps:
Conduct a Simple Text Search for the authors of the dataset you wish to add.
Editing a Dataset
Helping complete or edit unfinished dataset pages is essential for the effectiveness of this website. You can spend as little as a few seconds fixing a typographic error or as much time as you need communicating the best uses and issues associated with using a dataset. You must have a username and password to edit pages on this website [Tips on Getting a Username and Password]. Then follow these simple steps:
Log on to the website, (ADD SCREENSHOTS FOR EACH STEP)
Choose the dataset you wish to edit,
Click Edit on the sub menu,
Make changes to the page using the dialog box and icons provided,
Describe what you did in the Log Message box,
Click Submit.
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