Accessing Real-time Data Streams (NavData) Using Pidgin (Windows)
This section describes how to access real-time CTD and position data collected by the remotely operated vehicles using Pidgin (Windows).
Overview
NavData is an online resource for our geographically distributed science team to obtain real-time CTD and position data collected by the remotely operated vehicles. To access this data stream you will need to have an active user account, and have Pidgin (PC users) or Adium (Mac Users) installed on your computer.
This data stream is recorded and each data entry has a time stamp that correlates with the clock used to record video and sensor data. NavData is accessible to all participants throughout the duration of the cruise.
Technically speaking, NavData is a persistent chat room on the EX Instant Messaging Service. Unlike normal chat rooms, a persistent chat room is not destroyed when the last user exits the chat room; it is available 24/7 to all cruise participants with a valid EX account.
Prerequisites
Before you can join NavData, you must be a participant in the current cruise and have a valid EX account. For more information on getting an EX account, please refer to: Obtaining a User Account to the EX Collaboration Tools.
You will also need an Instant Messaging (IM) client that is connected to the EX Instant Messaging Service. For more information, please refer to Connecting to the IM Server using Pidgin (Windows).
You will also need to know how to join an existing chat room. For more information, please refer to Connecting to the Eventlog using Pidgin (Windows) and Using the Pidgin Instant Messaging Client.
Connecting to NavData
From Pidgin:
- In the taskbar, go to "File" --> "Join Group Chat"
- For the chat room name, type "navdata"
- Click the "Join" button; this will open a Conversation Window
- If a conversation window is already open, the NavData chat window will be opened as a new tab.
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