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size=3> Hi, <BR><BR>I am also still pondering how the heck I will be
storing potentially large amounts of water quality [point] data.
Integrating on space as Paul suggests is interesting, but other integration
schemes could be useful, one being integration of the data "by object" (e.g.
sensor, station ...). <BR><BR>In the example I am thinking of, a bunch of point
data could be boxed both by time and sensor in the form of a single netCDF file
(integration on object=sensor) for an arbitrary time bin (e.g. a day, a week
...). <BR><BR>I am still very hesitant as to what path is best. Wouldn't a
netCDF file allow me to put all the relevant metadata as well that I could make
sure meets some standard (e.g. FDGC-CSDGM) instead of potentially having to put
that metadata in postgreSQL or an XML database ? Would the spatial
querying machinery be efficient if the data were stored in netCDF files, e.g.
could I still use just the coordinates of my data points in postGIS with a 3rd
field being some sort of pointer to a BLOB in the form of a netCDF file ?
I think if it is just for spatial queries, such a set up would be fine.
But what if I wanted to further parametrize my queries by some attribute data
(e.g. give me all point measurements < valueOrParameter=A >
valueOrParameter=B) ? I guess depending on volume netCDF files could be
opened from within postgreSQL without it being too heavy an operation ?
<BR><BR>Your problem is one of sheer data volume and calls for some integration
mechanism, but I think one doesn't have to have a data volume problem to realize
that data integration is, in my opinion, a much more general problem for all of
us. <BR><BR>Let us know what solution you chose. I am too very much
interested. <BR><BR>Yves Moisan <BR><BR>Gerry Creager N5JXS wrote: <BR></FONT>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">Hmmm... Can we start thinking in terms of a NetCDF
data structure? </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>