Museum of London Information Services Department

 

Abstract

Work on further developing the IT Systems both in terms of on-site computing and database development work continued during the build up to the season and for a short period on site.

During the close season since 2003 documents were prepared to put to IBM, the Project's IT Sponsor, containing fairly detailed reports on the problems faced with the on-site networking (in terms of power, aging PC equipment, etc) and a wish list of equipment required by the project in order to continue to function properly on site. IBM kindly met these requests by providing 2 new servers (1 for on site work and 1 to assist project work from the Cambridge office) and 5 new laptop computers.

The on-site technical work consisted of setting up the existing project equipment, with some minor configuration changes to prepare for the deployment of the new database systems and to provide some minor network enhancements. As a stop-gap measure pending the delivery of the new equipment from IBM the new central database server software (Microsoft SQL Server 2000) was installed on the existing server and the first of the new, centrally managed applications, was made available to site staff.

Upon delivery of the IBM equipment work was undertaken to set up and configure the new hardware and then to perform a mass migration of all data files and databases onto the new server. This work was undertaken with minimal downtime to site staff.

 

Özet

Kazı sezonu dahilinde, bigisayar sistemlerinin kullanılması ve veritabanlarının geliştirilmesi anlamındaki çalışmalar kazı sezonu başlamadan önce ve başladıktan sonra kısa bir süre için yapılmıştır. Kazı sezonu dahilinde yapılan teknik çalışmalar içerisinde; ekipmanın kurulması, yeni veritabanının işletilmesi için bir takım değişikliklerin yapılması ve mevcut olan ağ sistemini bir miktar geliştirme gibi çalışmalar yer almaktadır. Ayrıca, yeni ekipman olarak gelen IBM yeni merkez veritabanı dağıtımı yazılımı (Microsoft SQL Server 2000) mevcut dağıtıcıya yüklenmiş ve ,ilk olarak merkezi yönetim uygulayıcıları bütün ekip için ulaşılır hale getirilmiştir.

 

Database work

In summary, this work involved migrating individual Access databases to a centralised database with Access front-ends to improve access for data-entry and analysis. This centralised database will be available over the internet.

Benefits
Centralising and updating the data structures has many benefits. It makes real-time queries across disciplines, units and teams possible for the first time. Enforcing relationships reduces errors in data entry, and makes it possible to build more detailed and complex queries within existing applications. It also allows researchers to access their data using a variety of advanced ODBC-compliant tools for more detailed analysis, or generate reports and queries with simple wizard-based tools. It will provide researchers everywhere with access to live data from anywhere in the world. This will also solve problems caused by different teams working on separate subsets of the same data sets.

Pre-season work
Work began in early 2004. Research was done to determine the best application structure in order to let people use the same familiar Access forms they'd used in previous seasons. Existing data structures were converted to a properly enforced relational format. In consultation with application users, the existing data was cleaned, referential integrity was enforced, any inconsistencies were reconciled, and the data imported into the central database server. In most cases, the conversion process was completely transparent to the user.

Work was done on the Archaeobotany, Conservation, Crates, Excavation, Finds, Faunal, Lithics databases.  Most of this work was completed before the season started and the newly centralised applications were available for data entry and analysis work.

Work done on Site
While on site to provide assistance with on-site systems, Mia Ridge, a database developer at the Museum of London, met with many of the specialists about possible future developments to new and existing applications.   Figurines, Pottery, Stamp seals, Human remains, Digital photography, Faunal, Crates, Finds Log, Conservation, Micromorphology, and Diary databases were among those discussed.   Application design and development work was begun on some applications.

On-going work
Work is now continuing along three different strands. The immediate focus is on finalising the import and centralisation of some of the databases and data sets discussed above. Some new applications are being designed developed, and other existing applications will centralised. Mia will also be working with the teams to provide tools for live platform-independent internet access to the centralised server. Rich is working on installing and configuring the server when it arrives at Cambridge to make access secure.

© Çatalhöyük Research Project and individual authors, 2004