University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Uncertainty About the Long-Term: Digital Libraries, Astronomy Data, and Open Source Software

Darch, Peter T.; Sands, Ashley E.

Content Files
07991584.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/99012

Description

Title
Uncertainty About the Long-Term: Digital Libraries, Astronomy Data, and Open Source Software
Author(s)
  • Darch, Peter T.
  • Sands, Ashley E.
Issue Date
2017
Keyword(s)
  • Astronomy
  • Big data
  • Big science
  • Data management
  • Data curation
  • Knowledge infrastructures
  • Long term
  • Open source
  • Scientific data
Date of Ingest
2018-02-01T19:42:52Z
Abstract
Digital library developers make critical design and implementation decisions in the face of uncertainties about the future. We present a qualitative case study of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), a major astronomy project that will collect and make available large-scale datasets. LSST developers make decisions now, while facing uncertainties about its period of operations (2022-2032). Uncertainties we identify include topics researchers will seek to address, tools and expertise, and availability of other infrastructures to exploit LSST observations. LSST is using an open source approach to developing and releasing its data management software. We evaluate benefits and burdens of this approach as a strategy for addressing uncertainty. Benefits include: enabling software to adapt to researchers’ changing needs; embedding LSST standards and tools in community practices; and promoting interoperability with other infrastructures. Burdens include: open source community management; documentation requirements; and trade-offs between software speed and accessibility.
Publisher
IEEE.org
Type of Resource
text
Genre of Resource
Article
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/99012
DOI
10.1109/JCDL.2017.7991584
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (#20113194, #201514001)

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