On September 27, a new way to browse and order ARM data became available on the ARM website after nine months of development. ARM infrastructure staff from three national laboratories—Brookhaven National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory—teamed together to integrate the ARM web pages with the ARM Archive, creating the ability to order data while also learning about it!
A crucial component to this capability is the data “shopping” cart that allows users to place orders at the ARM Archive through the ARM website. The cart was designed to be intuitive and easy to use, especially for new users. To begin, users browse instruments, measurements, and data pages to find datastreams to place in the cart. After all the desired datastreams are in the cart, the Archive processes the order and delivers the data to an ftp site for pickup.
In addition to creating the data cart, the ARM website underwent a few other renovations. Web page content was augmented by including the External Data Center and field campaign instruments and datastreams in the instruments, measurements, and data pages. The Archive website updated its design to match the ARM website design and navigation. The field campaign web area improved its design and navigation for past campaigns, including moving all past campaigns from 1992-2001 into the background database, and adding links for ordering available data. As a result of these efforts, ordering data from the ARM Archive is now easier and more seamless from the ARM website.