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1.
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First check to see whether your dataset has already been registered in the Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). Search for your dataset by entering a keyword using the free-text search at http://gcmd.nasa.gov/.
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2.
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If you find it listed at GCMD, click on the title link to go to the description of the dataset. Scroll to the bottom of the description page and check to see whether any of the following IDN codes are listed under KEYWORDS in the dataset description.
| IDN_Node: Global Observing Systems/GCOS |
- for a dataset which is registered by the Global Climate Observing Program
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| IDN_Node: Global Observing Systems/GOOS |
- for a dataset which is registered by the Global Ocean Observing Program |
| IDN_Node: Global Observing Systems/GTOS |
- for a dataset which is registered by the Global Terrestrial Observing Program |
IDN_Node: Global Observing Systems/GCOS
and
IDN_Node: Global Observing Systems/GOOS |
- for a dataset which is registered by the Global Climate Observing Program AND the Global Ocean Observing System |
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| 3. |
If you do not find your dataset in the search, your dataset is not registered with GOSIC/GCMD as a Global Observing Systems (GCOS, GOOS and GTOS) dataset. You can register it by entering a description of your dataset at the GCMD in the Directory Interchange Format - also known as a 'DIF'.
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| 4. |
You start the registration process by entering a new DIF at http://gcmd.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/difbuilder/difbuilder. Begin by typing in a short identifier unique to this data set (for example 01-data_set-00, air_temp_1234, NASA_SST_level2) and pressing the "begin a new description" button.
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| 5. |
In the table at the top of the next page you will see the list of elements which make up a DIF. There are seven required entries listed down the left hand side. These are the bare minimum elements you must enter to describe your dataset. |
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| DIF Element: |
Description: |
| Entry Identifier |
This should already be  'ticked' as completed. |
| Entry Title |
The title should be descriptive enough so that when a user is presented with a long list of titles, the user can determine the general content of the data set. |
| Parameters |
Choose one or more kinds of measurements represented by the data. |
| Data Center |
Choose one or more data center(s) which distribute the data, the data center URL, data set identification, and a person to contact there. |
| Summary |
A brief description of the dataset, descriptive enough to allow potential users of the dataset to determine if the dataset is useful for their needs. |
| Document Author |
Your name and details in case there are any questions about your entry. |
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However ONE MORE element must be entered to register it specifically as a Global Observing Systems (GCOS, GOOS, GTOS) dataset.
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| IDN Node |
Under the column labeled "Data Set Origin", the column second from the left is listed IDN Node. This element is used to identify the dataset as a registered Global Observing Systems, GCOS, GOOS, or GTOS dataset. Select this element and choose ANY of the 4 best describes your dataset (See 2 above) |
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Other useful information which you should consider adding to your dataset description would include "Temporal Coverage" and "Geographic Location" and "Related URLS" (links to the actual data, dataset home page etc).
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| 6. |
With those steps done - your dataset is registered as a Global Observing Systems (GCOS, GOOS, GTOS) dataset.
It goes through a verification process, and should be up and available for viewing within a week.
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