Introduction CFSNet is an initiative designed to provide an infrastructure supporting Web-based access, analysis, synthesis, reporting and distribution.

Introduction

CFSNet is an initiative designed to provide an infrastructure supporting Web-based access, analysis, synthesis, reporting and distribution of Canadian Forest Service information holdings on a distributed network of servers. CFSNet’s guiding principals are:

       • Adherence to international standards.       • Provision of robust security.       • Minimal impact on existing business practices.       • Provision of custodial information branding.

The Problem

How can a group of people dispersed throughout CFS (or around the

world) edit and vet a spreadsheet while maintaining the integrity of the

data, securing the data from unauthorized users, and simplifying how

the data is consolidated into one document?

Main RequirementsIn order to ensure privacy issues, integrity of data, and ability to adapt to user requests, the following requirements need to be addressed:

• Secure Access

• Data Storage

• Licensing

• Multiple Copies and Data Consolidation

Possible SolutionsThere are currently 3 general solutions available:

• E-mail (MS Excel)

• Pay Internet Service (Bad Blue, etc)

• In house Service (WikiCalc)

The SolutionThe preceding problems have been addressed in a new product called WikiCalc.

Wiki: “A wiki is a type of website that allows users to easily add and edit content and is especially suited for collaborative writing.”

CFSNet has been running a WIKI for over a year, as a means for CFSNet users across the CFS to collaborate.

* Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki

What is WikiCalc ?WikiCalc is a free application. CFSNet has deployed a custom version of WikiCalc, called WebCalc.

“WikiCalc combines some of the ease of authoring and multi-person editing of a Wiki with the familiar visual formatting and data organizing metaphor of a spreadsheet.”*.

WikiCalc was designed for scientists and researchers to easily share spreadsheet data, without constraining users to proprietary software.

* Dan Bricklin, creator

What is WikiCalc cont. ?WikiCalc is currently in testing, but is a stable application.

NFIS is in constant contact with the developer, and is working together to suggest feature enhancements, discover software problems, and help define user needs.

WikiCalc’s official release is expected within the next couple of months.

Does WebCalc Meet The Requirements ?

• Security – Administers users

• Data Holdings – Local administration of data

• Licensing – No proprietary software needed…just a web browser

• Multiple Copies – Edits are done to one copy only

• Data Consolidation – No need to manually consolidate data

NFIS Role

• NFIS is providing WebCalc as a web service. NFIS partners can use the tool without worrying about maintaining and administering the application.

• NFIS will house the application

• NFIS will provide user support

• NFIS will administer security

• NFIS will be responsible for backing up the data from WebCalc.

Uses

WebCalc supports many of the spreadsheet operations found in popular applications (such as MS Excel)

WebCalc can be used for:

• Study plans that need to be updated are easily edited by authenticated users.

• A lab may post chemistry or biology results on the Wiki, publishing results immediately.

NFIS is currently using WebCalc to:

• Keep track of CFSNet expense reports

NFIS Login

Page Selection

Select Site

Page Selection

Warning

Preview

Cells Tab

Format Tab

Tools Tab

Upcoming Enhancements

• Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Feeds – If a user signs up, you willbe notified by e-mail when a page has been updated/

• Run (recalc) data from external source - Ability for a cell to fetch live data from the web, and use it in a calculation

• Adding “View Page” and “Edit Page” links

• More complex calculation functions

• More “Tools” options to administer the site

Things to RememberAlthough WebCalc 0.3 is a stable application, it is still in development. Because it is still in development, your input and suggestions may be incorporated into a later release. If you have any suggestions, Please contact wikicalc_support@nfis.org

If you have a choice in web browsers, WebCalc seems to run quicker in the Mozilla Firefox browser (http://www.downloadfirefox.net)

Read More• Where do I start? https://cfsnet.nfis.org/wikicalc/index_e.shtml

• F.A.Q. https://cfsnet.nfis.org/wikicalc/wikicalc_docs_e.shtml

Additional Resources:

• WikiCalc on ZDNET: http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=2141

• WikiCalc and AJAX on ZDNet: http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=2348

• Podcast interview with the author: http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/index.php?p=2371

• WikiCalc Official Home Page: http://softwaregarden.com