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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

Finding data sets that fit your needs should be easy. Just click on the Find Data tab in the main menu.

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From this page you can browse available data sets, quickly focusing in on the data you need by selecting the desired categories from the box on the left side of the screen. For instance, the quick search below returns data on birds that involves either observational data or time series data (or both):

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Selecting multiple check boxes within a category returns data sets that have data from either category. So selecting both Birds and Mammals will return all of the data sets that include birds, all of the data sets that include mammals, and any data sets that include both. Selecting check boxes in different categories returns data sets that match all of the categories. So selecting Birds and Tropical Forest will return data sets that include data on birds in tropical forests.

You can also search for data using the search boxes located at the top left corner of the Find Data page or at the very top right corner of the site. Just type in the words that describe the data you want and you'll get a list of sites that match your interests. Using the search box will search the full text of all data set pages, but currently does not search the categories associated with a data set.

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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 to complete later or for someone else to expand. 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.

Choose Add Dataset from the toolbar.

Asign the page an appropriate and descriptive title.

Add whatever additional information you have about the dataset in the Body dialogue box.

Choose Submit to publish your page.

Remember, this website benefits from any added datasets and partial contributions. Add as little or as often as suits you. A template for formating and a list of dataset information that we have found useful to include can be found HERE. (Should we add a link to an explanation of the TinyMCE user interface?)

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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.

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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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Contributing to the Talk/Forum Pages

Adding a comment about a dataset page is extremely simple.

Find the Talk link on the sub-toolbar on a dataset page.

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Insert a comment in the dialog box and choose Submit.

Contributing to the forum is extremely similar to talk with a few added steps to start.

Choose the Forum tab from the toolbar or CLICK HERE.

Choose the Forum Topic that is most appropriate for your use.
 Currently ony one forum (Data Wiki Planning) has been created.

Choose the New Topic tab if you have a new dialogue you'd like to start or pick an ongoing conversation and continue similarly to the Talk procedure.

Insert a comment in the dialog box and choose Submit. Ensure there is an appropriate and descriptive title if you have started a New Topic.

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Reporting an Issue

From the toolbar choose Report an Issue or CLICK HERE.

Insert a descriptive title about the issue (e.g. "Underlines used in formating text do not show up in published page").

Add additional details to the body of the dialogue box.

Choose appropriate client (ecologicaldata.org/EcoDataRetriever).

Choose Submit.

You will be automatically subscribed to the support ticket and will receive emails to update you on the status of the problem. To reply to the ticket, simply reply to the email you have recieved from EcologicalData.org. Issues are not limited to bugs related to the operating software. If something isn't where you think it should be or is confusing to wok with please let us know. The Forum [CLICK HERE] is an additional venue for dialogue regarding the fucntionality and most appropriate content of the website.

Thanks for your concerns, comments, gripes, inputs, querries, memmorandum, and all the rest ahead of time!

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