IABIN Website
IEC/CI Meeting, Costa Rica
February 2011
Ben Wheeler, Mike Frame–U.S. Department of the Interior,
U.S. Geological Survey
Simon Aristeguieta-Trillos—IABIN Catalog Consultant
Presentation Goals
• Briefly describe history of IABIN.net• Outline current priorities, challenges with the
site• Discuss IEC, CI ideas to improve/feature on
site
History—IABIN.net• IABIN website, pre-
GEF until 2006.• Hosted at
CATHALAC 2004-2006
History—IABIN.net (cont)• IABIN website (template),
2006-2009. • Hosted at CATHALAC
2006—2008, University of Tennessee 2008-current
• Used as template for TN websites established 2006-2007
• Technical, downtime, and support staff issues
Current IABIN Website• Created July 2009 by
Boris R, with graphic design support from USGS– Joomla
• Hosted at University of Tennessee
• Technical and downtime issues
• Both IABIN and University of Tennessee have experienced significant problems with site
• IABIN—downtime, indirect management• UT—hacking, maintenance, budget cuts
• Began planning for migration from UT for IABIN.net, ETN site, cofinancing site in October-November 2010
• Significant in-kind resources have been involved in supporting and eventual migration efforts
• Medium term solution—migrate to cloud server on slicehost (along with ETN, cofinancing sites).
• To last at least through June 2011 end of project• As of February 2011, nearly complete
IABIN Website Migration
Long-Term Management Priorities
• Maintain consistently available, stable site• Ensure Fresh Content
– Allow non-technical staff to update• Reduce staff time in management• Improve stability of the site• Improve linkages to Thematic Networks, partners
– Clearly defining TN long-term hosting and infrastructure needs
• Transition from “GEF Project” focused site to improved representation of broader network
Long-Term Management Challenges
• Possible long-term hosts for IABIN.net:– OAS– USGS– ?
• Both will require significant transformation and some resources in support of site
• Issue of “how useful will the site be” long-term
• Discussions ongoing, to be concluded in next couple months
References and Contact Information
Questions / Comments / Advice / Opinions
Mike Frame: [email protected]
Simon Aristeguieta-Trillos, [email protected]
Ben Wheeler, [email protected]
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