Strategies for the online dissemination of large geographically disaggregated time-series

Abstract

This thesis investigates the various strategies used to produce a large on-line database which stores its data in the terms of dates and areas. The database studied was Nomis which was released in 1982 and provides remote access to official labour market data. The Nomis system underwent a complete redesign in 1997. A detailed account of the 'Old Nomis' system is provided in order to set the context for a study of its limitations. This study discusses the limitations due to the data design of the original model and code organisation as well as the limitations of the command interface and geographical management. The next part of the study was to investigate different methods of implementing a redesign of the original system. This focused on the choice of technology available both in terms of software and hardware, ways of improving the user interface, designing a new data model and the development of a new geographical management system. Once the new system was in place a menu-style interface was developed to provide a more user-friendly way to access the Nomis data. Various technologies were considered and the decision was taken to use the basic Web technology of HTML and forms due mainly to its accessibility to the majority of Nomis users and supported by all WWW browsers. Future Web technologies are also discussed. The success of the redesign was evaluated in terms of examining the 'New Nomis' interface to see if limitations had been addressed. Also the 'Beta Testing' process was discussed with various users feedback indicating possible strengths and weaknesses of the 'New Nomis' system. Usage level performance graphs were also considered which compare usage levels of the 'Old Nomis' system against the 'New Nomis' system.