[IGSMAIL-4327]: XML Site Logs

[Yehuda Bock]

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IGS Electronic Mail      29 Mar 08:20:40 PST 2003      Message Number 4327
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Author: Y. Bock, D. Malveaux, B. Gilmore, M. Scharber

XML Site Log Project
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SOPAC is currently working on a project to create XML based Site Logs and
other related Tools.  XML is considered the next generation of HTML.  It
is a simple, standard way to delimit data.  Many also consider XML
to be the standard way information will be exchanged in environments that
do not share common platforms.  To find out more about XML visit our web
site at http://sopac.ucsd.edu/projects/xml/xmlinfo.html.  Below is a brief
outline containing information about the SOPAC XML Site Log Project.

Objective:  Work toward a standard XML-based Format for GPS Site Logs.
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- SOPAC and the XML Site Log Project.
         -  SOPAC is currently using a set of custom perl libraries to
            generate XML-based Site Logs from our database.
         -  SOPAC's SIM (Site Information Manager) which manages and
            maintains the data needed for these Site Logs, plays an
            integral role in the creation of XML encoded Site Logs.
         -  SOPAC has created an XML Schema, which we will use to validate
            the XML Site Log documents that we generate.  The schema is
            subject to change for the purpose of restricting or relaxing
            constraints or for general improvements.
         -  SOPAC maintains a Web site (sopac.ucsd.edu/projects/xml) where
            those interested can visit to stay current on the progress of
            our XML Project.
         -  SOPAC will soon be adding an XLST link to our web site which
            will allow us to present the data in the XML documents in an
            HTML format.
    - Advantages of using XML.
         -  XML is a standard format that is widely used.
         -  It is easy to make changes in XML.
         -  There are many of existing software tools already available
            that can easily be used with XML.  This eliminates the need
            for writing proprietary internal software.
         -  With the use of a XML Schema for data validation, you can be
            assured that the data in the XML document is valid.
    - Future of the XML Site Log Project.
         -  SOPAC plans to implement web services, which will allow users to
            select specific information from an XML document and have only
            this data that is most useful to the individual be displayed.
         -  The GPS Seamless Archive Center (GSAC) Project will be adding a
            XML_Site_Log datatype to its domain of datatypes.  For more
            information please visit the GSAC web site at
            http://gsac.ucsd.edu.
         -  Work with other interested groups to create a conversion tool
            that will convert IGS formatted documents into XML documents, and
            on other XML related topics.

As SOPAC continues its work on the XML-based Site Log Project, we will
send out notices of the progress we are making.  Any feedback or comments
from others outside the SOPAC group would be greatly appreciated. We
acknowledge earlier work at JPL on an XML format for GPS solutions.

-- 
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Yehuda Bock		e-mail: ybock at ucsd.edu
Research Geodesist	Phone:  (858) 534-5292
& Senior Lecturer	Fax:    (858) 534-9873
			WWW:    http://sopac.ucsd.edu/; http://csrc.ucsd.edu/

Director, Scripps Orbit and Permanent Array Center (SOPAC)
Director, California Spatial Reference Center (CSRC)

Address:
University of California San Diego
Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics
9500 Gilman Drive  DEPT 0225
La Jolla, CA 92093-0225

FedEx Address:
Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
8785 Biological Grade, Room 4208
La Jolla, CA 92037
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