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Re: Some thoughts on the proposals

Some thoughts about the 3 main themes proposed:

1. Downloading data
• For the way we work it has to be a prospective request system _not_ a retrospective system (applying for enhanced access _is_ a prospective system. I don’t see why data download should be any different?). Perhaps we can have a choice?

2. Applying to download a whole dataset
• Could it be (is it?) incorporated with the “download data” wizard rather than as a separate system?

A recommendation:
That the “data download” and “download whole datasets” tools be merged into the “enhanced access wizard” to streamline the system.

3. Applying for enhanced access
• We'd like to need to know how many records (and percentage of dataset) are being requested
• Data download needs to be included as an option in the data access request form (see 1 & 2 above)
• We'd like a log of who has accessed data
• Results need a flag/blanked out records to indicate if any confidential records have been found (with advice to contact data provider)

Charlie Barnes
Information Officer
Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership

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Re: Some thoughts on the proposals

Hi Charlie

1. Downloading data

Downloading whole datasets will be a prospective request system – users will always have to apply to the data provider if they want to download a whole dataset.   

Users will not have to apply for permission to download data at ‘public’ resolution but they will have to log in and state their reason for the download. 

Applying to access data at full resolution and to access recorder names, attributes and sensitive records will remain a prospective request system.

2. Applying to download a whole dataset

Applying to download a whole dataset will be part of the data download wizard as you suggest.  I hope this will streamline the system. 

3. Applying for enhanced access

When a data provider receives a request for better access to a geographic/taxonomic/temporal subset of their dataset, the system will tell the data provider how many records within their dataset are covered by this request.

Full dataset download will be included as an option in the data access request form.  Data download will not be included, because it is proposed that all data except sensitive records will be available to download, even if only at low resolution.  Please see the separate thread entitled “proposed removal of the ‘view only’ access control” for more information on the reasons for this element of the proposal.

Data providers will get a log of who has accessed data, in what format and for what purpose. 

The NBN Gateway already includes a system for informing users when sensitive records have been found within their search.   Sensitive records within a site report are highlighted to the user without supplying information on the dataset they are coming from in the “Sensitive data you do not currently have access to” section at the bottom of the report.  To see an example of this, do a site report on Woodwalton Fen NNR and scroll right down to the bottom of the page. The logged in user can apply for access but they do not know which datasets they are applying for.