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INTRODUCTION
Information is used, stored and accessed in numerous ways by using
a variety of existing computer technologies. Typical software applications
include those related to database, spreadsheet, graphics, detailed analysis
(e.g., statistical), modeling/simulation, management (e.g., concept management
and project management) and access (e.g., web and email). At the level
of end-users, translating information into knowledge by using one or more
of the above applications is highly desirable. notitia is
an application that facilitates the translation process.
Most software applications
are geared to handle the following three categories of data relatively
easily: 1) Text descriptions (e.g., names of people), 2) Number of units
(e.g., number of widgets) and 3) Currencies. These categories have very
few attributes associated, if any. There is a fourth category - grossly
grouped as "Scientific data" - that has relatively more attributes
associated. Examples of attributes associated with scientific data include
specific characterization (e.g., mass and force) and units (e.g., kg and
Newton). notitia is an application that accommodates the
requirements of working with scientific data.
Information comprises
data and models. Models can span a wide spectrum from simple single parameter
representations to complex multiple parameter systems involving a large
number of data inputs. Software exists to manage data and models separately.
notitia is an application that facilitates the use and management
of data and models in an integrated environment. Such an environment lends
itself to working efficiently with scientific information.
What is notitia?
notitia is a scientific information management software application
that facilitates the translation of information into knowledge relatively
easily. It accommodates the unique considerations that scientific data
demand. It further accommodates the breadth of variables that scientific
data have and their associated attributes (meta information) like units,
codes and distinctive text and graphical descriptions.
notitia
is a user-friendly, graphical, icon-based, modular, Microsoft Windows
software designed by using object-oriented principles.
Features of notitia
notitia addresses functions related to data and models.
The features of the data related functions include:
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viewing
data in a grid format: |
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decoding
coded fields with either text descriptions or graphical representations,
and |
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short
and long descriptions for all fields, |
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determining
unique values in each field, |
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querying
based on SQL; text searches and phonetic searches, |
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generating
simple summary statistics, |
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generating
simple graphs, |
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exporting
data to familiar formats, |
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printing
data tables, |
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using
customized analytical tools to generate detailed summaries, and |
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accessing
files in LANs and via the Internet. |
The features of the
model related functions include:
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using
a standardized approach to running models, |
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constructing
an icon-based collection of modules, |
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viewing
data inputs through tables and customized pick lists, and |
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viewing
data outputs through tables, graphs, and reports. |
notitia Sample
Windows
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