Template library tool and Kestrel training Whitney Weber

Template Library Tool Web-based application: Author new templates or customize existing ones A template is equivalent to an electronic field form. In most basic form, a template is a data structure for a record; a collection of attributes An attribute is a field; single unit of data entry Support the re-use of individual attributes or common groupings (clusters) of attributes Discover how others collect and organize observation data Facilitate and promote use of common standards to improve consistency of data Download templates for use in Kestrel, the Mobile Observation System, and other systems Localizable (English, French, Spanish) by providing ability to; Re-label attribute Customize help text for existing attribute Use different domain/pick list values

Template Library Tool Current and Planned The current release is a prototype for viewing, creating and editing attributes and template objects. Not all listed features are currently functional Future milestones include; Viewing, creating and editing other objects (i.e., attribute clusters - to allow selection of common groupings of attributes for re-use rather than having to add them one at a time.) Security and user access framework. Logical searches for templates, attributes and other objects Systematic implementation of versioning

Kestrel Secure, web-based access ArcGIS Server mapping (ArcGIS 9.3, Web ADF) Extensible, template-driven data model (currently supports taxon- based protocol) Localizable user interface (English, French, Spanish) Links to taxonomic web service published from Biotics (other sources possible) Bulk upload of spatial and tabular observation data Export GML, CSV

Use of templates with Kestrel /

Template-driven Data Model Kestrel utilizes an extensible, template-driven data model What is a template? How do I create a template? Why can’t I see the new template in Kestrel?

Review of Terms and Concepts

Template In most basic form, a template is a data structure for a record; a collection of attributes Attribute = a field; single unit of data entry Can contain subforms for information that needs to appear as a list or in a repeated form. Can contain headings. Defines information about how an attribute is used. Can customize: attribute's label attribute's help text whether a value is required whether comments can be entered for the attribute validation rules - can be made more specific, but not more general Other metadata similar to attributes: label, documentation, unique name, organization, version Also has a Record Type. For now, choices are Observation, Person, User, Survey, Field Visit 8

How do I create a template? Templates are developed within the Template Library Tool: http://templatelibrary-alpha.natureserve.org/ Create a new template Create a copy of a template

Some Best Practices Try to think ahead as to how other people might conceivably use an attribute Use general names - don't name attributes "1a, 1b," etc. Those are often very specific to a particular field form. For domain lists, think carefully about whether it will make sense for individual templates to define their own sets of values. If something like "highway", then allow templates to add/remove values If using a standard set of codes that have real business meaning, then not allowing modifications may be more desirable 11

Types of Attributes String Date/Time Range Text Boolean Integer Decimal Date Date/Time Date/Time Range Boolean Location Taxon Reference All attributes include label, help text, documentation about purpose of attribute, and optional validation rules. Label and Help Text can be localized into other languages

Types of Validation Rules Numeric Range Date Range String Length String Pattern Domain (each display value can be localized into other languages)

A Few Things About Templates Templates can always customize the display values in any language for individual domain values If the attribute definition allows it, templates can add new domain values or remove domain values defined by the attribute As a convenience, a template can clear all values defined by the attribute. If desired, values can be added back individually by customizing them. 14

** Compatibility with Kestrel ** To ensure a template can be used with Kestrel The template's record type must be Observation The template cannot contain subforms The template cannot contain headings The first five attributes must be, in order: Species Observation Date Location Primary Observer Sensitive The five attributes listed above must be indicated as Yes within the Required? field in the Template Usage tab of the Attribute Details dialog. 15

** Compatibility with Kestrel ** All attribute references must support comments Included attributes can only use the supported validation rules which include: numeric range, max days beyond today (date), e-mail string pattern, domain values Additional validation rules cannot be specified by the template. For example, a template cannot add, remove, or modify domain values. Attributes that have a data type of "Reference" can only reference Person records The "Taxa Present" property of the template must be set to "Present" Any customizations made to an attribute's help text or label will be ignored and any headings will be ignored More information including screenshots can be found in the Template Library Help 16

Why can’t I see the new template in Kestrel? Prior to use in Kestrel, the template needs to be published for use in Kestrel. To have a template published for use in Kestrel: Submit an issue to Kestrel Technical Support Indicate Application of Kestrel and Component of Template Library Tool Identify: Name and version of the template Name of any new/edited attributes

Publishing the Template to Kestrel NatureServe will verify the template is compatible with Kestrel The template will be published to the test server A GoToMeeting held to review the template is as desired NatureServe will publish the template to Kestrel production

Demo of Template Library Tool

Session II: Kestrel

What is a Survey? A unit for containing Observations Defined by: Name Description Owner Template Authorized Users and their roles Configurations include Lists of: Species Observers Observed Locations

Demo of Kestrel

Getting Started Accessing Kestrel: Kestrel for Parks Canada: http://kestrel.natureserve.org Log in: Username: firstname.lastname Password: password Contact Dave Clark (Dave_Clark@pc.gc.ca) if you do not have access Use the Tutorial in the Kestrel Help as a good workflow for getting started in Kestrel. The Tutorial contains links to each of the related Help topics with step-by-step instructions.

Q & A