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What is a SPOLD Database Network?
A SPOLD Database Network is a network of local data-suppliers, who make their data available in the SPOLD format.The data are organised in datasets, which each contain the environmental data relating to a specific human activity, e.g. a production process, related to its reference function, typically its main product(s). Each dataset consists of a number of fields giving information on:
When members of a SPOLD Database Network place data on their own local ftp-servers, a small part of the dataset is automatically sent to the Network Data Directory. These are the fields that you can search in the Data Directory. The rest of the dataset remains at the local web-servers, under the control of the local data supplier. When a search leads to an interesting dataset, the user of the Data Directory will be automatically transferred to the local web-server, from where it is possible to download the data. For each individual dataset placed in the network, the data-supplier can decide who should be allowed to see what parts of the dataset. The SPOLD Data Exchange Software allows the data-suppliers to:
- the activity that the data relates to (data identification and system model),
- the environmental inputs and outputs and other exchanges from this activity,
- the data source and validation.
You can read more about these possibilities in the explanations to the Administration function of the SPOLD Data Exchange Software.
- define what part of each dataset should be available without restrictions,
- restrict access to individual datasets or groups of datasets through an advanced password administration facility.
Members of a SPOLD Database Network adhere to a network-specific Code-of-Conduct, e.g. modelled over the template supplied here, and assign one of their members as network administrator. The role of the network administrator is mainly to provide service on the Data Directory web-server, and to maintain the integrity of the network by allocating unique names (three-letter codes) to new members (data suppliers).
How can I supply my data to a SPOLD Database Network?
As a member of a SPOLD Database Network you will be provided with a unique three-letter code and direct access to place information about your data in the Network Data Directory.
How can I become a member a SPOLD Database Network?
To join a SPOLD Database Network, you must contact the administrator of one of the existing networks.Currently, there are no SPOLD Database Networks that are open to the public.
If you wish to start up a new SPOLD Database Network, the prospective administrator should contact Bo Weidema to obtain the necessary Networking software.
How do the members of a SPOLD Database Network manage the administration of data access?
The SPOLD Data Exchange Software contains an Administration menu, which allows the data supplier to:· manage external access to datasets on the local web-server, so that the data remain entirely under the control of the local data supplier.The web-server administration is active when the data supplier is linked to the Network Data Directory. The data supplier places each dataset file on his local web-server in a folder representing an access group, i.e. a group of files, which can all be individually downloaded by an external user with a valid password for this group. The data supplier can assign one or more passwords for each access group. Each password can be assigned an expiry date. The default access group is "free". Data placed in the free group will be publicly available without restrictions.
· restrict access to individual datasets or groups of datasets through an advanced password administration facility,
· define what part of each dataset should be available without restrictions,
· automatically update the Network Data Directory, an Internet search engine containing a small part of each dataset (the fields defined in the template ‘minimum’, see below), allowing data users to browse key-information on the available datasets.For each dataset placed on the local web-server, the SPOLD Data Exchange Software will automatically send to the Network Data Directory:
- The small part of the dataset defined by the template ‘minimum’ (see below) allowing data users to browse this key-information on the available datasets.
When a dataset is not placed in the "free" access group (see above), the data supplier assigns to the dataset:
- The URL of the full dataset, allowing outside users to download the dataset if they have the necessary password (see below for password administration).
- A template, which is a list of the fields that an external user is allowed to view without a password (default option being "All" and another predefined option being "Minimum", which is equal to the fields displayed in the Data Directory). The SPOLD Data Exchange Software allows the data supplier to create and edit an unlimited number of templates. When the dataset is placed on the web-server, the SPOLD Data Exchange Software automatically produces a duplicate of the dataset containing only those fields defined as "visible" by the current template assigned to the dataset. This restricted dataset has a file name identical to that of the full dataset, except that the file extension ends on R (the file extension of full datasets are only two digit numbers representing the version number of the dataset; this means that the restricted version of the full dataset named "XXX00011.01" will be "XXX00011.01R"). The URL of the restricted file is automatically sent to the Network Data Directory. If a dataset is assigned a new template, the restricted file is updated.
- An access text from lists of previously defined options. An access text is a text, which is displayed to external users of the local web-server, containing information about access restrictions and how to obtain access to a requested data set. An access text is in HTML allowing active links to other web-pages and/or e-mail addresses where the external user may be helped to fulfil the access conditions set by the data supplier (e.g. demands for payment and/or for identification of the person making the request) and to obtain a password. The SPOLD Data Exchange Software will automatically send the URL of the access text to the Network Data Directory, when a dataset is placed on the web-server.
Can I search a SPOLD Network Data Directory now?
No, currently there are no SPOLD Database Networks that take in new members or allow public access.
What is a SPOLD Network Data Directory?
A SPOLD Network Data Directory is a search engine connecting users to all life cycle inventory data available within a SPOLD Database Network.It is based on the use of the free SPOLD Data Exchange Software. Should a search lead to an interesting dataset it is possible to download it under the conditions stated by the local data supplier and view it with the SPOLD Data Exchange Software or any other SPOLD compliant software.
When members of a SPOLD Database Network place data on their own local web-server, a small part of the dataset is simply sent to the Network Data Directory. These are the fields that you can select when searching the Network Data Directory. The rest of the dataset remains at the local web-servers, under the control of the local data suppliers - also with respect to access rights, copyright, and pricing.
Are all the data in a Network free?
No, the condition under which a dataset may be downloaded, is given by the data supplier (the one who presents the data in the Network Data Directory). The conditions may vary from data supplier to data supplier, and even from dataset to dataset of one supplier. Some data are free, some suppliers only sell data "by the piece", others only provide data if you subscribe to a "package deal". The conditions for a particular dataset of your interest will appear as soon as you click the Access text field of that dataset.
Some data in a Network are not accessible, but they are still visible in the Data Directory. Why is that?
Sometimes two companies want to share parts of their databases with each other, but do not wish to share these data with the general group or the public. Within a SPOLD Database Network, groups of companies and research projects can organise closed "user clubs" or even more formal associations for data exchange. The data of these groups are protected by a password that only the members of these groups have. A SPOLD Database Network serves as a safe, cheap and user-friendly way for these data clubs and partnerships to keep their common databases updated. Some of these groups take in new members, either if the new member have data to share or against a membership fee. These membership conditions will appear on the screen displayed when you try to access data of such a group. For these groups, the Network Data Directory also works as a sort of publicity to attract new members. Groups that are not open to new members, typically organize in a separate Data Network with a separate Data Directory. This provides maximum privacy for these groups, and at the same time means that the other Data Directories do not become crowded with data that are not publicly accessible.
How can I trust the quality of the data in a Network?
There is no automatic quality control of the data on a SPOLD Database Network. The SPOLD format constitutes a transparent and consistent format for the verification and selection process, but it is not a verification instrument in itself. The quality is up to the individual data supplier, unless specified in the Network Code-of-Conduct. For such Networks or smaller groups of data suppliers within a Network that wish to present a quality specification or guarantee on their data (e.g. a certain minimum degree of completeness or third party validation), the Data Directory provides space to place a quality seal on each data set. The criteria for use of such quality seals can defined by the Network administrator or a group of data suppliers facilitated by the Network administrator.The SPOLD format does not constitute requirements for data completeness or transparency. A database may also contain aggregated data, where the underlying unit processes are not available, and datasets with qualitative information only, e.g. without any data on environmental inputs or outputs.
How can I judge the applicability of the dataset without seeing it, if no quality seal is given?
Those parts of the dataset, which are necessary to evaluate the quality of the data, should be available to the buyer. This is first of all those parts of the data which is displayed in a Network Data Directory. In addition to these, the data supplier may have decided to liberate further fields to be visible by the buyer prior to purchase, e.g. the names of all inputs and outputs but not the numbers. If this is so, you should obtain that information from the data supplier, when you click the Access text field of the dataset. You can also click directly on the field Restricted dataset, to download the publicly available dataset, which contains all the fields that the data supplier has decided to liberate.
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