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1.2.4  Online Search Features and Data Uploading

Two separate web portals have been developed within MagIC for Paleomagnetism (PMAG) and Rock Magnetism (RMAG). Both interrogate the same underlying MagIC and EarthRef.org databases. This ensures that the search forms for typical paleomagnetic and rock magnetic searches can be kept simple and transparent. However, it does not prevent paleomagnetists from performing rock magnetic queries when searching within the PMAG Web Portal, and vice versa, when starting out from within the RMAG Web Portal. By design each portal is merely a different entry point into the same database.

To search from within the PMAG Web Portal follow the http://earthref.org/MAGIC/search/ link. Here we provide you with search options of location, data type, geological age and reference. You can also do map searches using the Map filter. Each of these searches give you a simple first page from which you can drill down all the way to the measurement level. An advanced search lets you perform more complex searches, including custom Boolean expressions.

Once the RMAG Web Portal is active, to start the RMAG Web Portal follow the http://earthref.org/databases/RMAG/ link. From this web page you can perform simple searches based on experiment type or condition, sample type and reference. Again, in each search you will be allowed to drill down to the measurement level, and an advanced search option lets you perform more demanding search tasks.

The Online Upload Wizard has been developed to help you upload your own data. Uploading can be started by following the http://earthref.org/MAGIC/upload.htm link. The only requirement here is that you are a Registered EarthRef.org User. Uploading data can typically be completed in less than 5 minutes, depending on the number of data records involved. The Online Upload Wizard will ask you to log-in under your EarthRef.org Username and to upload two files (a Microsoft Excel© file and an plain text version of the same file) that were automatically generated by processing your data with the MagIC Console Software. These two files will be archived in the EarthRef.org database while the data and metadata they contain will be parsed into the MagIC database.

This data uploading naturally complements the scientific process of preparing your data for submittal to any Earth science journal. Because you can upload your data into the MagIC database while keeping it Private (as described in the User and Data Policy) you can use all visualization tools on the MagIC website to study and analyze your data, either on their own right or in combination with data already available in the database. You can also make your data Group Accessible by assigning a group name and password that you personally can give out to your colleagues, co-authors and reviewers. All in all, this approach gives you a multitude of flexibility in working with your paleo and rock magnetic data. When you're ready you can Activate your private contributions and make them Publicly Available to other MagIC and EarthRef.org users.