Morpho
User Guide
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Creating a new Data Package

Click the new data package icon to start the Package Wizard and create your own data package. You may also start the Package Wizard through the File menu. The Package Wizard will help you create the minimum amount of metadata necessary for a Data Package. These will be the required fields in red. The important point to remember is that the more metadata you provide, the easier it will be for other ecologists and the KNB to understand and utilize your data package. Finally, remember that you can always enter much more metadata at a later time, after the Data Package is initially created (See Editing Packages). Instructions are on the left side of the screens!


The introductory screen of the Package Wizard. It is recommended that you read and try to understand the contents of any Morpho screen that provides you with a paragraph or two of explanatory text!

initial screen of the package wizard


The first text entry screen of the Package Wizard. The repeat buttons are circled in blue. Fields such as Title, Name, and Keywords are what will be used, by yourself and other ecologists, to "find" this package during a search function. Notice that when the 'Repeat' button is pressed, all of the fields in the 'Originator' group will be repeated. For example, if there were several authors, PI's, etc., involved with this data package you would press the 'Repeat' button to create the new fields for them.

screen one of the package wizard


Enter the path to your data, or click "browse" to find it. If no data file is chosen, a data file is not associated with this package and only metadata is created. Leave the field blank if you do not want to attach data to your metadata, and click next. This example shows a selection of the button to automatically generate a data file description, based on the assumption that the raw data are available. This choice will start the "Text Import Wizard". The Text Wizard functions best with text data (ASCII), that are in a table format (rows and columns), and have a standard delimiter (such as a comma or "tab"). You would click "next" to proceed.

acquire data file screen of the package wizard


The Text Import Wizard - Screen 1
The text import wizard scans your data and produces a preliminary report. Enter a description regarding the data. Click Next.

text import



Text Import Wizard - Screen 2
The next import page allows you to select which type of delimiter separates your data columns. Hopefully you know this information. Click Next to proceed.

text import



Text Import Wizard - Screen 3
This screen allows you to enter metadata regarding the data. For example, the data in the first column is an Integer Data Type. Select each column to ensure that the wizard described your data correctly and make adjustments accordingly.

text import


This is the final screen of the package wizard. Notice that by default your package will be saved to Metacat and that the package will be publicly readable.

the final summary screen of the package wizard


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