News - Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali (DISA), Università di Udine
September Technology Update
The platform behind the GLOBE and GLOBE Observer websites, Liferay, was upgraded to version 7.4 last week after 11 months of development. The DIS team worked tirelessly to make this launch successful; they thank the community for its patience with the process! Read on to learn about some of what you can expect from this update.
GLOBE Website
For most of those viewing the website, the changes from the update will barely be noticeable. For the most part, the platform itself should be more stable, meaning less downtime for system fixes. For those working behind the scenes, some tasks have moved, processes have changed, and new features have been added. An email with details was sent on 27 August to Regional Coordination Offices, country coordinators, Working Group members, and U.S. partners. If you manage a portion of the GLOBE website but did not receive this email, please contact your Regional Coordination Office or country coordinator.
GLOBE Observer and Data Entry
The features below add functionality to help GLOBE Observer users test out the system before making a commitment to it, upload more kinds of data, and have new data matched to satellite data.
- Test and practice modes: We now support a test mode that allows people to try the app without creating an account. Users who use this mode can go through a full observation and send data to the GLOBE database, but the data sent will not be saved. We also support a new practice mode, which allows a user to try any protocol from start to finish. Data sent are not kept on the server.
- Special cloud features: GLOBE Observers can now take additional photos of clouds during an observation to point out “special cloud features.”
- Land cover satellite comparisons: Observers will now receive an email comparing their landcover observations with existing satellite flyover data.
NOTE: The websites are still undergoing maintenance after this large update, so you may temporarily encounter some difficulties or irregularities.
If you have any issues with the updated website or the new GLOBE Observer app features, please contact the GLOBE helpdesk at help@nasaglobe.org.
News origin: GLOBE Implementation Office