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Research paper : International cooperation for the utilization of earth observational data in an integrated manner (K. Iwao)−166−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.5 No.3 (2012) Prior to the evaluation, the clarification of the cause of confusion was done, the discussion on the investigation standard was continued by weekly telephone conference, and the evaluation items for functionality and usability were listed. The evaluation committee conducted the final scoring based on the results of the investigation items and the general evaluation for long-term operability. The details of the scores of each evaluation item were submitted in the form of advice from the evaluation committee to the GEO, and the work progressed after seeking approvals.To conduct evaluation of the CI, it is necessary to evaluate the action when the elemental technologies are combined, as well as the evaluation of the individual elemental functionality. Therefore, since there were three organizations respectively that were offering the WP and CL, it was necessary to conduct the tests for nine combinations. However, in conducting the investigation of the problem where the search results were different according to the combination of the WP and CL, it was found that the CI would function only under a certain combination. Therefore, due to time constraints, a two-step process was taken where the CL was evaluated and selected first, and then the WP was evaluated and selected. For the evaluation tests, particularly for the usability, preparations were done quickly to submit the report to the GEO Work Plan Symposium held in May 2010, as there would be attendance of many users participating in the GEO. By conducting the usability test during the symposium, the differences in usability could be clarified, such as use for different purposes under the same conditions of networks and browsers. Also, participation of the users of developing countries who could not regularly attend the meetings was encouraged. Moreover, since the meeting was held in a developing country with limited Internet connection speed, the participants could evaluate the usability of the CI under such conditions. For the usability evaluation, the online evaluation system on the Internet was made available to solicit wide range of users to evaluate from all social beneficiary fields.For the evaluation standard, it was determined that general evaluation would be done from the three perspectives of functionality, usability, and long-term operability, but it was also necessary to determine the weight of the scores. Table 2 shows the evaluation items determined by the committee and the score weighting. Upon discussion in the committee, functionality and usability were given 25 % each. The remaining 50 % were items for long-term operability.The functional testing was composed of the mandatory items and optional items. Over 100 evaluation items were listed. For usability evaluation, separate evaluation items were listed to evaluate the usability for all nine societal benefit areas. Four items were set to guarantee the stable, long-term operation. The first item was the promise for the financial support from 2010 to 2015 by the organization that offered the provision of the CI components, and 10 % was allotted. The second item was the endorsement from the GEO member countries or organizations to the organization that offered provision of the CI components, and this was given 20 %. In the case where the components were provided by private companies, it was required that a GEO member country or organization would guarantee the operation (endorsement). The third item was promise for response to the mandatory item by the organization offering the GCI component, and 10 % was allotted. The WP and CL selected by the general evaluation did not necessarily satisfy the mandatory items. Therefore, demand was made to each organization to promise quick compliance to the mandatory items of the WP and CL. The fourth item was the release of license of the system that the organizations developed as the WP and CL, and 10 % was allotted. In a case where the organization providing the WP or CL could no longer manage them for some reason, this ensured the smooth transfer of the system to a third party. For the item pertaining to the release of license, several requests were made to disclose the whole system as an open source. However, open sourcing was not sought, and the agreement was written to guarantee the situation that allowed transfer in case operation became impossible. This was done to take into account the participation of private companies. On the other hand, the request for the Table 2. Selection and evaluation standards for CIRelease of rights in case of transfer of system to a third-party organization10Release of rights to the systemPromise for the response to the mandatory requirement items10Functional aspectEndorsement from member countries and organizations for financial support20Financial aspect (country or member organization)Promise for financial support as organizations for 2010-201510Financial aspect (supporting organization)Long-termoperationEvaluation result for usability25UsabilityEvaluation result of the technology investigation item list25FunctionalityOutlineWeight (%)Evaluation item

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