Highlights for April 18, 1997
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• WWW6 Conference: On April 7-11, David Duran and Sharon Shin of CBI attended WWW6 (the sixth annual international World Wide Web conference) in Santa Clara, California. The theme of the 1997 conference was "Access for Everyone on the Web." Session topics included disabled access, good Web design, and XML (Extensible Markup Language). (David Duran, Denver, 303/202-4248)
  
  

• BRD Geospatial Technology Coordinators Planning Session: On April 15-17, the BRD Geospatial Technology Coordinating Group (GTCG) met at the MESC. Frank D'Erchia, Ralph Root, Sharon Shin, and Susan Stitt of CBI attended. Representing all BRD Centers and Programs, GTCG members discussed documenting and serving geospatial metadata, completion of the BRD Geospatial Technology Strategic Plan and other related documents, formation of a Geospatial Technology Council and formation of Teams to focus on specific issues, including completion of the Geospatial Technology Home Page. D'Erchia was elected Chair of the six-member Geospatial Technology Council. (Frank D'Erchia, Denver, 303/202-4259)
  
  

• Communicating Science in the 21^st Century: On April 15-17, Terry D'Erchia of CBI participated in the USGS training session "Communicating Science in the 21^st Century." Director Eaton gave the keynote address at the San Antonio conference, urging the more than 120 representatives from all USGS divisions to "get the word out about the new USGS." He unveiled the USGS visual identifier and applauded the efforts of the Visual Identity Team in developing an effective message and eye-catching design. Workshop sessions included a skill-building track and plenary sessions presented by communications professionals both inside and outside the Federal government. (Terry D'Erchia, Denver, 303/202-4264)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives: Nothing to report

III. Notable Congressional Activity: Nothing to report

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: Nothing to report