Highlights for February 4, 2000
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• GAP Looks Back - and to the Future. The 10th Annual National Gap Analysis Program (GAP) Meeting will be held August 13-17, in San Antonio, Texas. The focus will be looking back on the first 10 years of GAP -- and looking forward to the next 10 years. Special emphasis will be placed on biological informatics and the Mexican component of GAP. Concurrent sessions and workshops will cover vegetation mapping, predicting species distributions, mapping conservation lands, accuracy assessments, conducting gap analyses, building partnerships, interactive social science, and outreach. GAP is coordinated by the USGS and is managed by the USGS Center for Biological Informatics in Denver. (Becky Sorbel, Moscow, 208-885-3555.)

• USGS Library Consortium Moves Forward. One of the strategic priorities identified at the USGS libraries' meeting last September was to investigate the establishment of a USGS Library Consortium. To that end, the Consortium Structure Team was formed, chaired by Susan Fayad of the USGS Center for Biological Informatics. The team recently finalized a work plan and made assignments and has begun the job of developing the administrative infrastructure for the consortium. Over the next few months, the team will identify key issues and options and will define key documents to be shared with the USGS library community for input. Their efforts will set the stage for discussion at the USGS libraries' spring meeting and finalization of the structure this fall. The consortium will provide a platform for USGS libraries to work cooperatively to improve services, leverage limited resources, and support integrated science. (Susan Fayad, Denver, 303- 202-4224)

• CBI Readies New Tools for Survey Employees. Staff at the USGS Center for Biological Informatics (CBI) are readying new electronic tools for Survey staff:
  • A new anonymous FTP (file transfer protocol) server will be available to Survey employees who wish to transfer large files.
  • CBI staff members have begun prototyping Microsoft FrontPage, software that allows Web page content providers instant and direct access to their respective Web pages, eliminating the need for second-party posting. Provision of standardized templates will ensure a consistent "look and feel" across different Web pages. Eventually, all Web sites housed at CBI (e.g., National Biological Information Infrastructure, Hear.org) will use this technology. FrontPage licenses have been purchased for all USGS employees.
  • A Web administration site is being prepared for use by USGS system administrators to request changes to existing Lotus Notes accounts or to request new accounts. This site will be online by February 11.
  
  (John Clark, Denver, 303-202-4244)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives:

• Web2K. On January 24-28, staff from the USGS Center for Biological Informatics (CBI) participated in the USGS/National Biological Information Infrastructure Web2K training conference in Orlando, sponsored by the Office of Biological Informatics and Outreach. Presenters included USGS webmasters and managers, and private industry software developers. Mike Frame of CBI provided a Lotus QuickPlace workshop. The conference addressed topics of interest to USGS webmasters, page designers, and page creators, including new Web tools and products. Participants will use this training to help improve USGS Web site development and management efficiency. (Janice Little, Denver, 303- 202-4225)

• NBII Enhancements Implemented. The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) primary Web server was recently moved to an Intel-based Linux operating system, improving its efficiency. Enhancements to the NBII site provide content managers with tools and training to facilitate their ability to directly access and administer their particular subsets of the Web site. Additional upgrades related to Web statistics, improved security practices, and server restructuring are also being implemented. (Mike Frame, Denver, 303-202-4260)

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.