Difference between revisions of "Main Page"
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== mx == | == mx == | ||
| − | <p> | + | <p> Welcome to the home of the mx ('m'atri'x', yes we're considering other names ) project.</p> |
<p>mx is a collaborative on-line (completely web-based) content management system for evolutionary systematists, particularly those working on descriptive taxonomy. The project is in active development, with features being added as needed to those using the system.</p> | <p>mx is a collaborative on-line (completely web-based) content management system for evolutionary systematists, particularly those working on descriptive taxonomy. The project is in active development, with features being added as needed to those using the system.</p> | ||
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* the implementation of a taxon-concept based OTU ('O'perational 'T'axonomic 'U'nit) as the core data object, such that published and unpublished (working) concepts can be managed | * the implementation of a taxon-concept based OTU ('O'perational 'T'axonomic 'U'nit) as the core data object, such that published and unpublished (working) concepts can be managed | ||
* the use of freely available software (including the mx sourcecode) in an aggressively open-source framework | * the use of freely available software (including the mx sourcecode) in an aggressively open-source framework | ||
| − | </p> < | + | </p> |
| + | <p>mx presently handles a wide range of data. Researchers are presently using it to manage morphological matrices, specimen and sequence data, references, taxonomic descriptions, bifurcating and multi-entry keys, biological associations, images, collecting events, taxonomic hierarchies, ontologies and more. The database currently has both private and public front ends, each of which are web based.</p> | ||
== What's it being used for? == | == What's it being used for? == | ||
| − | + | A list of projects with publicly accessible front ends [[Public projects|is available here]]. A list of publications, talks, and meetings that have utilized or referenced mx is [[Publications| available here]]. See some [[Screen_Shots | screen shots]] illustrating some of the available features. | |
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== Why use mx? == | == Why use mx? == | ||
We've started a [[Why use mx | list of reasons for and against using mx here]]. | We've started a [[Why use mx | list of reasons for and against using mx here]]. | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
== How do I get it? == | == How do I get it? == | ||
=== Source === | === Source === | ||
| − | + | A typically slightly dated copy of the source is presently available [http://sourceforge.net/projects/mx-database from Sourceforge]. Developers are currently using SVN to manage sourcecode, but the SVN repository is not yet on Sourceforge. If you are interested in developing via SVN contact us. Bug tracking, feature requests etc. are also available at Sourceforge. | |
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=== Installation === | === Installation === | ||
Instructions for installation can be found [[Installation | here]]. | Instructions for installation can be found [[Installation | here]]. | ||
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== Credit == | == Credit == | ||
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* We presently have some tables that have not been developed (i.e. we have no working front end) that are very loosely based on the [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15545259&dopt=Abstract Metacanthomorpha database.] | * We presently have some tables that have not been developed (i.e. we have no working front end) that are very loosely based on the [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15545259&dopt=Abstract Metacanthomorpha database.] | ||
* There are a various [[Open source plugins/widgets used in mx]] | * There are a various [[Open source plugins/widgets used in mx]] | ||
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== Support == | == Support == | ||
| − | + | The following sources of funding have directly or indirectly supported the development of mx, or have used mx to manage data: | |
* NSF PEET Grant DEB-0328922 to Dr. Bob Wharton | * NSF PEET Grant DEB-0328922 to Dr. Bob Wharton | ||
* A Texas A&M Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Student Travel Grant to Matt Yoder | * A Texas A&M Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Student Travel Grant to Matt Yoder | ||
Revision as of 11:59, 19 July 2008
Contents |
mx
Welcome to the home of the mx ('m'atri'x', yes we're considering other names ) project.
mx is a collaborative on-line (completely web-based) content management system for evolutionary systematists, particularly those working on descriptive taxonomy. The project is in active development, with features being added as needed to those using the system.
The long term goals of mx are as follows:
- the desire to ultimately capture all data pertinent to a modern taxonomic revision (including phylogenetic data) during the revisionary process such that simultaneous publication of all data in print and electronic forms is possible
- the development of a web-based multi-user front end whose components may also be used (or translated relatively seamlessly) for public display of data
- the implementation of a taxon-concept based OTU ('O'perational 'T'axonomic 'U'nit) as the core data object, such that published and unpublished (working) concepts can be managed
- the use of freely available software (including the mx sourcecode) in an aggressively open-source framework
mx presently handles a wide range of data. Researchers are presently using it to manage morphological matrices, specimen and sequence data, references, taxonomic descriptions, bifurcating and multi-entry keys, biological associations, images, collecting events, taxonomic hierarchies, ontologies and more. The database currently has both private and public front ends, each of which are web based.
What's it being used for?
A list of projects with publicly accessible front ends is available here. A list of publications, talks, and meetings that have utilized or referenced mx is available here. See some screen shots illustrating some of the available features.
Why use mx?
We've started a list of reasons for and against using mx here.
How do I get it?
Source
A typically slightly dated copy of the source is presently available from Sourceforge. Developers are currently using SVN to manage sourcecode, but the SVN repository is not yet on Sourceforge. If you are interested in developing via SVN contact us. Bug tracking, feature requests etc. are also available at Sourceforge.
Installation
Instructions for installation can be found here.
Credit
mx is coded by Matt Yoder and Krishna Dole with help from Andy Deans. Johan Lijleblad and Katja Seltmann have provided documentation and much useful feedback. Many others, in particular the Wharton (TAMU), Cognato (MSU), and Heraty (UCR) labs have provided feedback. We are very open to having others join us.
Various previous projects influenced the development of mx, in particular:
- The table structure for specimens and collecting event related data is loosely based on the TAMUIC insect collection's database programmed by Yoder and Oswald. That database was in turn loosely based on a very early draft (pre 1998) of the Specify table structure.
- Some of the tables containing matrix related data are based on Yoder's early MS Access database mtrx, which was greatly simplified from Gregor Hagedorn's software Delta Access (apparently no longer available on-line, but see here).
- We presently have some tables that have not been developed (i.e. we have no working front end) that are very loosely based on the Metacanthomorpha database.
- There are a various Open source plugins/widgets used in mx
Support
The following sources of funding have directly or indirectly supported the development of mx, or have used mx to manage data:
- NSF PEET Grant DEB-0328922 to Dr. Bob Wharton
- A Texas A&M Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Student Travel Grant to Matt Yoder
