This user guide covers select features of the desktop site. These include:

Transcription

1 User Guide myobservatory Topics Covered: Desktop Site, Select Features Date: January 27, 2014 Overview This user guide covers select features of the desktop site. These include: 1. Data Uploads Guided Upload Upload Photos Hand Drawn Shapes Upload KML Files Upload Raster Animations Manage Forms Form Templates Forms Map Features Navigation Datasets and Layers Measuring Tools Creating Hand Drawn Shapes on the Map Discussion Feature Please see the desktop site tutorial video for more information. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 1

2 Desktop Site 1. Data Uploads Data and photos are uploaded to myobservatory by clicking on the Upload Data button on the Manage myobservatory Data screen or selecting that option from the Data Management drop down list. You may upload data in Excel files by using either the Guided Upload or Upload 3- File Template features. Individual photographs or collections of photographs can be uploaded using the Upload Photos feature. The Upload KML feature allows you to upload shape files (in.kml format) created in other programs (for example, Google Earth). The Hand- Drawn Shapes feature allows you to create shape files directly in myobservatory and view them on a map or use them to organize data and photos by regions rather than point locations. And the Upload Raster Animations feature allows you to upload raster animation files. 1.1 Guided Upload The Guided Upload allows you to upload data in Excel files to myobservatory. Excel files may be in.xls,.csv, or.xlsx format but.xls format is recommended. A complete list of instructions (tips for best results) is displayed on the site. Be sure to include only one header row in your Excel file and skip all rows with text preceding the header row. For example, a correctly formatted Excel file might look something like this: Date Temp (F) Dewpoint (F) Relative Humidity (%) 6/28/13 12:00 AM /28/13 1:00 AM Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 2

3 6/28/13 2:00 AM /28/13 3:00 AM /28/13 4:00 AM Once uploaded, myobservatory will provide you with a preview of your data. If the Excel file is formatted correctly and the correct number of rows skipped, the preview will display the header row followed by the first several rows of data. Next it s time to specify the dataset you wish to upload the data to (whether a new or existing dataset) and the dataset type (for example, air observations, water observations, etc.) You can also add a new dataset type. The dataset location can be set here or you can set the location at the station or record level instead. The location information does not need to be set while uploading data, but instead can be set later from the Manage Datasets screen and changed at any time. After this, it s time to specify how myobservatory should handle each column of data in your Excel file (for example, Date, Temp, Dewpoint, etc.). Excel file columns are listed under Column in File (see below) while the data options appear in the Portal Data Item drop down list to the right. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 3

4 Match the column that displays the date (and/or time) to the Sample Date and/or Time option. Match all columns with data to the Station Data Column (Value) option. This will create a station within the dataset with the name displayed in the Station text entry box (this may be edited) and data type selected from the Type drop down list. You may also add a new data type. The station location can be set here or you may set the location at the record level instead. For Excel files with location information included, simply match the correct columns to the Observation Latitude (y) and Observation Longitude (x) options. You may also leave a column set to Unused (as shown below). This will prevent the data in the column from being uploaded. Once you are ready to upload your Excel file, click the Finish Upload button. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 4

5 For large datasets, the upload process can take several minutes. The Upload in Progress screen will appear during this time. Following upload, the system will run any QA tests associated with each data type selected. The Upload Successful! message will display upon successful upload. 1.2 Upload Photos The Upload Photos feature allows you to upload photographs to myobservatory. Recommended file formats include.jpg and.png. Files can be uploaded directly from your computer or by providing a URL to the files location if they are saved on a site like Dropbox. A full set of instructions is provided on the site. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 5

6 You may select an existing dataset and station to upload your photos to or create new ones. When creating new datasets and stations, you have the option to set the dataset s and/or station s location information during the upload process, or you can set this information later from the Manage Datasets screen. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 6

7 If the file you wish to upload is located on your computer and less than 25MB, you may use the Choose File method to upload your file. If your file is greater than 25MB, you may enter the URL to the location of your file. This second method is also used to upload multiple files at once, by entering the URL to the location of the ZIP folder containing the files. Once you are ready to upload your file(s), click the Upload button. The Upload Successful! message will display upon successful upload. 1.3 Hand Drawn Shapes Shape files can be created and viewed on a map using the Hand Drawn Shapes feature. You may use the default shape collection name or enter a new name for your shape collection dataset. Or you may edit an existing shape collection by clicking on Edit Existing Collection and then selecting it from the drop down list (shown below). You may also enter an address in the Zoom to Address field to quickly zoom to the desired location on the map. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 7

8 The Hand Drawn Shapes tools located at the top of the map allow you to add points, paths, and polygons, edit and delete existing shapes, and access measurement tools. Hover over each tool with your cursor to see the tool name. Draw Point to draw a point, click on the Draw Point tool and then click on the map where you d like the point to be placed. A popup appears asking you to provide a name for the shape. The description field is optional. Draw Path to draw a path, click on the Draw Path tool and then click on the map where you d like the path to start. Click once on the map at each location where the path changes direction. To designate the end of the path, double click on the map. Draw Polygon to draw a polygon, click on the Draw Polygon tool and then click on the map at one of the polygon s vertices. Click once on the map at each vertex of the polygon. Double click on the map at the location of the last vertex to complete the shape. Draw Regular Polygon to draw a regular polygon, click on the Draw Regular Polygon tool, select the type of regular polygon you d like to draw from the Shape drop down list in the popup that appears (i.e., triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, or circle), click and hold the mouse button down on the map where you d like the center of the polygon to be located and, while keeping your mouse button depressed, drag your cursor away from the center of the polygon until the polygon is the size and orientation you desire, then lift up on the mouse button. To Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 8

9 draw an irregular polygon, select the Irregular checkbox in the Draw Regular Polygon popup window that appears before drawing the polygon on the map. Drag Geometry click on the Drag Geometry tool to change the location of a shape. With this tool selected, click on a shape and, keeping your mouse button depressed, move the shape around on the map. Lift up on the mouse button when you are satisfied with the new location of the shape. Modify Geometry click on the Modify Geometry button to change the location of one or more vertices of a polygon or the position where a path changes direction. With this tool selected, click on a shape to select it. The shape will then be highlighted and locations along the perimeter of the shape that you can move will be indicated with circles. Click on any of these circles and, keeping your mouse button depressed, move the circles around on the map. Lift up on the mouse button when you are satisfied with the modifications to the shape. Draw Hole you can also draw a hole inside a polygon by using the Draw Hole tool. With this tool selected, draw a polygon within an existing polygon using the same technique as the Draw Polygon tool (click once for each vertex and double click to finish drawing the hole). Select Geometry click on the Select Geometry tool and then click on a point, path, or polygon before editing the details of a shape or to duplicate or delete a shape. The selected shape will be highlighted. Duplicate Selected Shapes with a point, path, or polygon selected, click on the Duplicate Selected Shapes tool to duplicate it. The duplicated shape will appear overtop of the original shape, at which point you can select the duplicate shape and use the Drag Geometry tool to move it to its desired location. Delete Selected Geometry with a point, path, or polygon selected, click on the Delete Selected Geometry tool to delete it. Edit Details with a point, path, or polygon selected, click on the Edit Details tool to change its name or description. Cancel All to cancel a path or shape that is in progress without saving it, click the Cancel All tool. Measure Line / Measure Polygon refer to Section 3.3 for instructions on how to use the Measure Line and Measure Polygon tools. To see previous versions of shape collections, click the See Previous Versions link. This will allow you to view, restore, or delete previous versions. Each edit triggers a save of the previous version in the history list. Each shape collection dataset can include one or more points, lines, and/or polygons. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 9

10 Points, lines, and polygons created using this tool can be used as the location for datasets, stations, and individual records. You can turn on and off the USGS Orthoimagery layer by clicking on the blue and white plus (+) icon just below the Hand Drawn Shapes toolbar (where the minus (- ) icon is located in the image below). This will display a popup window with the option to select / deselect the USGS Orthoimagery layer. To close this popup window, click the minus (- ) icon. 1.4 Upload KML Files Shape files that have been created in other programs for example, Google Earth, can also be uploaded and viewed on the map in myobservatory. Save externally created shape files in.kml format and upload to myobservatory using the Upload KML File feature. Enter a Dataset & Legend Display Name for your KML file. A Location Name can be added as well if you would like a different name displayed in the Zoom To Location Tool on the map. When you are ready to upload your file, click the Upload button. Upon successful upload, your KML file will be displayed on the map. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 10

11 1.5 Upload Raster Animations Raster animation files can also be uploaded to myobservatory. Instructions for preparing your raster animation files are provided on the site. Once your raster animation files are ready, you may upload to an existing dataset or create a new dataset. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 11

12 If the zip file is less than 25MB and located on your computer, the Choose File method can be used to upload your raster animation files. If the zip file is greater than 25MB, you will need to enter the URL of the location where your zip file resides. Click Upload when done. The Upload Successful! message will display upon successful upload. Raster animations can then be viewed on the map using the Raster Animation Tool. 2. Manage Forms Custom forms allow you to design your own forms for capturing location- specific information or data while in the field and allow uploads of both photographs and videos. 2.1 Form Templates In order to create a form, you must first create a form template. This template can then be used to create multiple forms that require the same fields. To create a template, enter a title for the template (description is optional) and then enter or select the information for each field. Field information includes field name, text for a help prompt (optional), whether the field is required or optional, the field type, available options (when a dropdown selection or autocomplete field type is chosen), and default value. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 12

13 Field types include text entry fields, drop down selection fields, autocomplete fields, number and number range fields, date and date range fields, and picture and video upload fields. For dropdown selection and autocomplete fields, click on the Edit button to view the Edit Options List popup window. There are three ways to edit the available options. The first is Edit One at a Time. With this tab selecting, you may enter one option at a time in the Add New text entry field and click the Add button when done. Options that have already been added will appear in the Existing Entries list. Existing entries may be deleted by clicking the Delete button next to the entry. The second is Edit All at Once. With the Edit All at Once tab selected, enter each option on a separate line and click Close when done. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 13

14 The third is Use an Option Lookup Table. To use an option lookup table, you must first define an option lookup table in the Option Lookup Tables section at the bottom of the Form Templates screen. Click the Add New button to open the New Option Lookup Table popup. Enter a title for the option lookup table, enter the list of options, and click Save & Close. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 14

15 The new option lookup table will now appear in the list of available option lookup tables and can be used when creating a form template. To use an option lookup table, select the Use an Option Lookup Table tab in the Edit Options List popup. Select the desired option lookup table from the dropdown list and click Close. Once you have added all the desired fields (click the Add Another Field link to add additional fields), click Create Form Template. The template will then appear in the list of Existing Form Templates (as shown below). Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 15

16 In order to use the template to create a form, click the Approve for Use button. 2.2 Forms Once a form template has been published, it can be used to create a form. To create a new form, select the dataset you would like the form to be added to (or add a new dataset), enter the form name (description is optional), select the template you would like to base the form on from the drop down list (only published form templates will be listed here), and select the desired access permissions. Access permission levels include Only Me, All Logged in Users, Public With Password, and Public No Password. The access permission level restricts who can view and submit entries to the form. Once you have filled out this information and any desired form metadata, click Create Form to create your form. The form will then appear in the list of existing forms (as shown below). Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 16

17 The Options menu for each form allows you to enter new submissions, view submissions, export submissions, and publish submissions for other logged in users with access permission to see. New form submissions will reset the Publication Status of form submissions if previously published. Click the Get Link button to obtain a direct link to the form. 3. Map Features The map can be viewed from the Welcome screen and a full screen view accessed by clicking on the Full Screen link directly above it or by selecting View Map from the View drop down list in the top navigation bar. 3.1 Navigation Navigating to a particular location on the map can be accomplished in several ways. Navigation Controls The navigation controls located along the top left- hand side of the map allow you to navigate north, south, east, and west (by clicking on the up, down, right, and left arrows, respectively) as well as zoom in or out (by clicking on the plus and minus signs, respectively, or by using the zoom slider). Zoom to Location Tool The Zoom to Location Tool allows you to navigate directly to a particular pre- defined location on the map. To open the Zoom to Location Tool, click on the second button from the left in the map toolbar. Hovering over the button with your cursor will display the Open Zoom to Location Tool hover popup (shown below). Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 17

18 Clicking on location name in the Zoom to Location Tool popup (shown to the right) will display that location on the map. You can also enter an address in the Zoom to Address field and then click Go. Using Your Mouse You may also click on the map and, while your mouse button is depressed, move your cursor around to move the map to the north, south, east, or west. Double clicking on the map will cause the map to zoom in. 3.2 Datasets and Layers Background layers and dataset locations can be displayed by selecting the appropriate layer or dataset in the legend. To view the legend, click the first button, Toggle Legend, in the map toolbar. Background Data Available background layers are listed in the Background Map folder and can be viewed by clicking on the plus sign to the left of the folder to expand it and view its contents. Available background layers include OpenStreetMap and USGUS Orthoimagery. The default selection is OpenStreetMap. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 18

19 Reference Data Available reference data is listed in the Reference Data folder and can be viewed by clicking on the plus sign to the left of the folder to expand it and view its contents. Available reference data include USA Drought Map, USA Hydrography Dataset, USA Watershed Boundaries, Cloud Cover, Precipitation, Air Pressure, Temperature, and Digital Raster Graphics. The Help link next to the reference data provides additional information. Interactive Data The Interactive Data folder includes datasets uploaded in Excel files as well as uploaded photos. Select the datasets you wish to appear on the map by clicking on the checkbox next to each dataset name. Multiple datasets can be selected. An icon will appear on the map to denote the location of the dataset. Clicking on the dataset icon will display a preview of the dataset. If multiple datasets (or stations) share the same location, a list of available datasets (or stations) will be displayed. A Note on Locations: Dataset icons that appear on the map will appear at the record- level location(s) if available. If a record- level location is not available, the record will inherit the station- level location, if assigned. If no station- level location is assigned, the record will inherit the dataset- level location. If no location is assigned to the dataset or station, and no location information was uploaded with the record, no icon will appear on the map. The Interactive Data folder also includes any Hand Drawn Shape collections that you or users in your institution have created. Selecting these will display them on the map. Click on any Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 19

20 individual point, line, or polygon within the shape collection to display the list of datasets, stations, and records associated with that point, line, or polygon. Click on any associated dataset, station, or record link listed (e.g., Station: Temp ) to view additional information for that dataset, station, or record and gain access to the discussion/notes and manage files features from the map. You can also create a new dataset that will automatically be associated with the hand drawn shape by clicking the Add Dataset Here button. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 20

21 Noninteractive Data The Noninteractive Data folder includes KML files and grid locations. Selecting these will display them on the map. 3.3 Measuring Tools Measuring tools are provided to allow you to estimate the area or perimeter of a particular region or the distance of a particular path. To activate the Measure Line tool, click on the fourth button from the left in the toolbar. To activate the Measure Area tool, click on the fifth button from the left in the toolbar. Once the Measure Line tool is activated, click once on the map to indicate a starting location to begin measuring. This will place a dot on the map for reference. Click on a second location to indicate the end of the first line segment. You may continue in this manner until all desired line segments have been drawn or the perimeter of an area identified. The total distance for all line segments as well as the distance from the last point will be displayed in the legend just above the buttons along the bottom. To deactivate the measuring tool, double click on the map with your mouse. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 21

22 Once the Measure Area tool is activated, click once on the map at a corner or along the perimeter of the region you wish to measure. This will place a dot on the map. Click on a second location to indicate another corner or at another point along the perimeter of the desired region. You may continue in this manner until the shape of the region is highlighted. The total area for the highlighted region will be displayed in the legend just above the buttons along the bottom. To deactivate the measuring tool, double click on the map with your mouse. Note that you may move the map while using the measuring tools by clicking and holding down the left mouse button and then moving the cursor to change the location displayed on the map. Release the mouse button when you are done moving the map. This will not place a dot on the map. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 22

23 3.4 Creating Hand Drawn Shapes on the Map Hand drawn shapes can also be created on the View Map screen. To do this, open the Hand Drawn Shapes Tool by clicking on the pencil icon in the Map Tools popup. The Hand Drawn Shapes popup will appear. In the Active Shape Collection drop down list, select an existing shape collection to modify it or select Create New to create a new shape collection. You can also import a KML file into an existing shape collection by clicking on the Import a KML file link. Once you have selected an existing shape collection or created a new one, the familiar hand drawn shapes tool bar will appear at the top of the screen. Hover your cursor over the tool bar buttons for a description of each button s function and refer back to the Hand Drawn Shapes section earlier in this user guide for more detailed instructions on creating or modifying hand drawn shapes. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 23

24 4. Discussion Feature A discussion area is available for each dataset, station, and record, form template, form, and animal listed in the Livestock Tracking feature. These discussion areas are accessible by all registered users with access to the institution. Click on the blue Discussion buttons located throughout the site to access. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 24

25 To start a new discussion, create a title for your comment in the Title field, add your comment in the Comments field, and click the Add Comment to post it. If you wish to be sent an notification when replies are posted to your comment or a discussion you are interested in, select the Subscribe checkbox at the top of the Discussion popup window. Files can be attached to the comment once posted. Multiple discussions (comments) can be started for each dataset, station, etc., and replies added to specific comments. The posting date and time will be displayed along with the name of the user who posted the comment or reply. Users can delete comments or replies they have previously posted and Admins can delete comments or replies made by any user. Once a comment is posted, the Discussion button associated with that dataset, station, record, form template, form, or animal will display the number of comments posted. Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 25

26 Copyright 2014 WebH2O LLC Page 26