What is the CDM DataPortal¶

The EDIT Data Portal publishes taxonomic data hosted in a CDM Server either to a closed community or to the public at large. It has been implemented as a module for the content management system Drupal. The term "content management system" is somewhat misleading here: since the actual content is stored and managed by the CDM, ensuring scientific accuracy and reusability of data. Drupal offers a great deal of flexibility and can be extended almost indefinitely, making it possible to adapt the EDIT Data Portal to the individual needs of a community. Custom web pages, forums, and blogs are only a few of Drupal's capabilities available out of the box, and there is practically no limit to the number of modules that can be added to enhance a site with for example image galleries. The layout and look and feel of the application can be easily adapted to fit any taste.

User interface design was guided by the following design principles: provide easy access to all taxa and names; display all relevant information in one place where possible; and reduce complexity without compromising scientific accuracy. A challenge particular to taxonomy is keeping the user from losing his or her bearings while navigating through vast taxonomic trees; to this end, a sophisticated taxonomic tree browser has been developed to reduce confusion and make daily work with such trees more productive. A search function provides an additional way to access taxa.

Each taxon is represented by an individual page, which displays the list of synonyms, related taxa, occurrences, descriptions, media, and more. The list of homotypic and heterotypic synonyms is ordered historically and grouped by types; its layout resembles that found in printed publications. Images of protologues and of type specimens are linked directly from taxon names and synonym lists.

How to install a CDM Data Portal¶

See https://cybertaxonomy.org/dataportal/installation for how to install a CDM Data Portal