An Example of a Network—Based Approach to Data Access, Visualization, Interactive Analysis, and Distribution

Abstract

A freely available software package, called WebWinds, has been developed that allows atmospheric scientists, educators, students, and the general public to quickly and easily visualize and analyze data on many of the computer platforms in use today. WebWinds is written in Java and is able to ingest files from local disk or the World Wide Web (WWW). It is designed to eventually be distributed over the Internet and operate outside of WWW browsers entirely, allowing fewer restrictions as to where data and applications will be required to be stored. By manipulating data at their source, Internet bandwidth requirements will be reduced. The design and evolution of WebWinds, including its current display and analysis capabilities, security considerations, collaborative tools, availability, and planned future developments are described. Two typical sessions are also described to give the reader an introduction to its use.