canSAS-XI/Dissemination

Chair : Adrian Rennie

Presentations

Session Plenary overview : Introduction to Dissemination

Session Notes

There were 11 participants in the breakout group.

• A major conclusion of the break-out discussion was that information is needed for people that are unaware of small-angle scattering but could make use of it. Such people will not search for terms such as SAXS, SANS or GISAS but will be looking to find ways to characterize materials and understand their properties. Links to this relevant information need to be made.

• It was unanimously agreed that the current portal needs a serious makeover in its look to something modern and that looks less stale. While there is significant content already, it was agreed that appearance can have a huge effect. Nonetheless the portal has seen some activity since mid 2012 when it was created:
  • There were over 637,000 hits to the landing page
  • There were over 56,000 hits to the software page

• It was recognised that canSAS cannot do everything. It needs to co-operate with others to provide links to relevant materials that have been created elsewhere.

• Apart from the general discussion there were a number of specific ideas for material that could be provided via links on the SAS portal:
  • Virtual catalogue of case studies. This can build on material made available by facilities and national scattering societies. Press releases about work could also be catalogued and, possibly, even archived.
  • Several schools and courses have developed experiments that are used as part of their teaching activities. Protocols and tutorial from these courses could be linked.
  • Press officers at facilities and elsewhere often have relevant information and might be able to assist.
  • We need to get links to the SAS portal on other relevant pages so that the portal material is more readily found, e.g. by searches.
  • Videos are attractive for instruction and general information. The portal should try to exploit such media better. A start would be to link to existing videos that are available and to establish an appropriate YouTube channel.

Actions

In order to make progress with the necessary aims it is planned first organise one or two conference calls amongst interested participants prior to organising a 'code-camp' at which extensive revisions of the portal content will be implemented. Paul Butler will arrange a doodle poll to schedule the initial call(s). The invitations to these will be sent to everyone at the break-out session as well as others who have expressed interest.

A youtube channel has been created : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwECVEHm8JhMCyGiqfZQYVQ