a. Brochure and web-site
The Secretariat reported on the main GTOS activities during 1996, some of which were reviewed by the SC. The SC considered the brochure to be an excellent description of what GTOS will be, but was concerned that it may raise expectations that could not be met. It was agreed that it would be premature to distribute it widely at this time. The situation would be reviewed at the next SC meeting. The SC proposed to produce in the meantime a more concise brochure, based on what GTOS is implementing now, in order to create awareness of GTOS around the world. The question of languages was discussed but not resolved. It was considered important to develop the brochure in English, French and Spanish; other languages would then be considered on an as needed basis.
Regarding the Web site, the SC suggested to re-cast the statement "GTOS is doing it now" in more modest terms.
· Follow-up actions:
Secretariat to produce a short GTOS brochure for wide distribution in the next months;
Secretariat to review and update the GTOS home page as appropriate.
b. Telecommunication options and information server
The Secretariat has been exploring telecommunication and data options, with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and with the Joint Research Centre (JRC), respectively. Dr. Peter Dreyer, a GTOS consultant, reported on the progress made in both fields. A meeting was held between GTOS and ITU on 1 October 1996 in Geneva, which intended to explore the ways and means of a framework of cooperation with ITU. One result of this meeting was a request that the GTOS Secretariat outline what it would consider to be an ideal pilot project in so far as telecommunication requirements.
Dr. Dreyer reported then on a meeting held with JRC on 26 November 1996 in Ispra, to discuss the possibilities of developing a GCOS/GOOS/GTOS Information Server, using the Generic Information Server Toolkit (GIST) that is presently under development at JRC. GIST is intended as the next generation of the Centre for Earth Observation (CEO) information server software currently running as EWSE (European Wide Services exchange). GIST would be available during the spring 1997 and available free of charge to GTOS.
The SC felt the development of an Information Server could have major resource implications both in terms of cash and staffing, hence any option needs to be carefully considered. The SC recommended that any development of a GTOS data and information management system should be co-ordinated with GCOS and GOOS. The SC suggested to refer the proposal regarding the usefulness of GIST as well as the ITU demonstration project to the Data and Information Management Panel (DIMP) for consideration and request them to advise the SC as to the best way to proceed.
· Follow-up actions:
Secretariat to send letter to ITU and JRC thanking them for their help and interest but referring to the need of consultation with DIMP before taking a decision;
Chairman to ask DIMP to evaluate JRC and ITU's proposals.
