The connection between data warehousing and the metadata. used to catalog and locate warehouse data is obvious, but what is the connection between data warehousing, metadata, and the World Wide Web (WWW)? Specifically, the WWW can be used to allow users to search metadata (data about the data) and retrieve data from a warehouse database. In addition, the Internet/Intranet can be used to manage the metadata in archive databases and to streamline the database administration functions of a large archive center. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory`s (ORNL`s) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) is a data archive and distribution center for the National Air and Space Administration`s (NASA`s) Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS); the ORNL DAAC provides access to tabular and imagery datasets used in ecological and environmental research. To support this effort, we have taken advantage of the rather unique and user-friendly features of the WWW to (1) allow users to search for and download the data we archive and (2) provide DAAC developers with effective metadata and data management tools. In particular, the ORNL DAAC has developed the Biogeochemical Information Ordering Management Environment (BIOME), a WWW search-and-order system, as well as a WWW-based database administrator`s (DBA`s) …

The variety of applications, databases, and information technologies makes it difficult to locate and retrieve information or applications that are otherwise openly available. The promise of the World Wide Web was that it was a paradigm for organizing and distributing information. Under this project, we looked at how we could more tightly couple the Web with the UNIX operating system for exchanging information, connecting programs and data, and facilitating collaboration between people in a more natural way. Ease of secure access and the ability to have electronic dialogues on specific questions will become increasingly important as the pressure Increases for scientists and analysts to rapidly access diverse information to make informed judgments and initiate new lines of Investigation.