FAQ
Overview
- What is Data-Planet?
- What is an indicator?
- How often is the data updated? When data is updated?
- How do I know the data is accurate?
Getting Started
- What do I need to access Data-Planet?
- Can I access Data-Planet from another computer?
- What is a JVM? Why do I need it for using the tool?
- How does the Sun JVM affect other Java applications I run?
- When I try to sign-in to Data-Planet, a get a message that says the JVM cannot be found. What do I do?
Using Data-Planet
- How do I select and use a Data-Planet indicator?
- How do I compare two indicators?
- Can I save my screens?
- How do I use Slide Shows?
- How do I retrieve numerical data through Data-Planet?
- How do I use Dashboards?
- How do I compare my organization's performance against that of lower- and higher-level organizations?
Getting Help
Overview
- What is Data-Planet?
Data-Planet is a web-based portal service providing users access to government and commercial datasets including U.S. demographics, business statistics and federal data available by geography and time period all on a robust, easy-to-use display.
- What is an indicator?
An indicator is a measure, expressed as a raw number, percentage, index, or other number, that can be displayed graphically in a way that conveys information about change over time, comparison among different organizations, locations, or people. For example, one indicator is "Unemployment Rate."
Data-Planet lists each indicator by a white or aqua icon in a folder on the left panel of the software application. When a Data-Planet user clicks on an indicator, the display area shows a chart or graph that gives a view of performance at a national, state, or county level, depending on the user's menu choices. For a detailed demonstration, select 'Tour / Tutorial' from the Data-Planet home page
- How often is the data updated? When data is updated?
In most cases, Data-Planet data is electronically updated shortly after it is published.
- How do I know the data is accurate?
Data-Planet does not produce data that is displayed. Data-Planet only reports from other sources. The responsibility of Data-Planet is to accurately report data as reported in the sources. It is our policy not to edit any incoming data.
Getting Started
- What do I need to access Data-Planet?
Users require a computer web browser to access Data-Planet.
- Can I access Data-Planet from another computer?
Yes! Data-Planet can be accessed from any other computer. Multiple logins are NOT allowed. The user has to log off from one computer before logging on to Data-Planet from another computer. When the user logs into the application from another computer, the JVM check is performed again by the Data-Planet server.
- What is a JVM? Why do I need it for using the tool?
JVM stands for "Java Virtual Machine" - an intermediary software program that translates the Data-Planet software for use in your web browser. Data-Planet requires JVM Version 1.4.2 to operate.
On login to the application, the Data-Planet Server checks to see if the client machine has JVM 1.4.2 installed. If it does not, it automatically installs it on the client machine after obtaining approval of the user. If the user is not willing to install the JVM, Data-Planet will not function properly.
- How does the Sun JVM affect other Java applications I run?
There is no effect on your other programs. The Data-Planet download of the Sun JVM to the client machine is local to Data-Planet and will not affect any other Java applications, which may require a different version of JVM. - When I try to sign-in to Data-Planet, a get a message that says the JVM cannot be found. What do I do?
Sometimes users have difficulty with the standard JVM installation procedure included with Data-Planet. Most often, this is caused by an outdated or broken prior installation of the JVM. For those subscribers who experience this problem, we suggest following the link below:
This link will take customers to the Sun Microsystems web site, where a tool is available to assist with the installation of a new JVM. This often solves JVM problems experienced by most subscribers.
http://jdl.sun.com/webapps/getjava/BrowserRedirect?locale=en&host=java.com:80
Using Data-Planet
Data-Planet has a comprehensive set of tutorials to help first-time and experienced subscribers become familiar with the systems and data. Answers to specific questions are provided below, however, each question and answer does have a corresponding lesson in the online tutorials. For in-depth answers to questions regarding the capabilities of Data-Planet, please see our tutorial and click on "menu" to see a full listing of topics available.
- How do I select and use a Data-Planet indicator?
First, navigate to an indicator in the indicator selection tree on the left side of the Data-Planet window. When you click on a closed folder icon (denoted by a "+" on the folder image), it will open to reveal the next-level folder, and, at the lowest level, indicator icons. (Indicators are identified by white or aqua "document" icons.) As you move your cursor up and down the tree, the full-text name of each folder or indicator will appear, even those that are partly hidden behind another part of the display.
Once the data application level has been fully expanded, the "+" disappears and the folder icon appears open. Indicator icons appear at the lowest level and occasionally at other levels. At any point, you can select an indicator by clicking on it. The data for that indicator will be displayed in graphical format in the Data-Planet display area, which runs from the center of the page to the lower right.
- How do I compare two indicators?
Select two indicators for concurrent display by holding down the "Ctrl" button as you click on each indicator. You may then review the correlation between the two indicators in trends, rankings, and locations. This works even with different measures, such as dollars and people.
- Can I save my screens?
Data-Planet's Slide Show utility allows each user save complex views of indicators and combinations of indicators which are repeated with the latest data any time the user logs on to Data-Planet. These "Slides" are saved on the Data-Planet server and can be retrieved any time the user logs onto the Data-Planet web site.
- How do I use Slide Shows?
- Right-click on the "Slide Shows" folder icon in the "Private" folder.
- Select the "New Slide Show" option from the popup menu. The "Add a New Slide Show" menu dialog box will appear.
- Input a name for your new Slide Show. Click OK.
- Select an indicator from the Data Planet Indicator Selection Tree, and choose the desired time and Type (organization) parameters and display options to create the desired screen view.
- Right-click on the blue icon of your new Slide Show folder.
- Select "Add Current Screen" from the popup menu. The "Save Slide Show?" dialog box will appear.
- Type in a name for the Slide and click OK.
- Right-click on the Slide Shows folder. Select "View Slide Show." The Slide Show Viewer will pop up
- Navigate through the Slide Show using the arrow buttons on the Viewer.
- How do I retrieve numerical data through Data-Planet?
Data-Planet Download view displays a grid of numerical data that you can retrieve by clicking on the "Download" button to the right of the chart.
- How do I use Dashboards?
- Right-click on the "Dashboard" icon in the "Private" folder.
- Select "New Folder" from the popup menu. The "Add a New Dashboard Folder" dialog box will appear.
- Type in a name for your new Dashboard. Click OK. The "Create Dashboard: Wizard or No Wizard?" dialog box will appear, asking, "Do you want to use Dashboard Wizard to create a Dashboard?"
- Click "No Thanks."
- Click on the Dashboard View button and make a selection from the box. (Note: If you intend to monitor two or more organizations, select "Multi Org. Stop Light" or "Multi Org. Alert." If you intend to monitor two or more indicators, select "Multi Org. Alert.")
- Select one or more indicators and one or more organizations for monitoring.
- Select red / yellow / green thresholds. If your Dashboard item is monitoring two or more organizations, you can set different thresholds for different organizations or different levels of organizations pursuant to selections from the box located just above the table in the chart image area.
- Right-click, on the blue icon of your new Dashboard folder.
- Select "Add Current Screen" from the popup menu. The "Save Dashboard?" dialog box will appear.
- Click OK to save the Dashboard item under the default name or rename it and click OK.
- If the Dashboard already exists, right-click on a Dashboard folder. Select "View Dashboard." The Data-Planet Dashboard Viewer will pop up, displaying all items in the Dashboard.
- Items with multiple organizations or indicators may be reviewed in detail by clicking on the "Detail" button.
Repeat steps 6 - 10 to add items to your Dashboard folder. To create and populate additional Dashboards, repeat steps 1 - 10.
- How do I compare my organization's performance against that of lower- and higher-level organizations?
In Trend view, the user can compare performance of organizational units at different levels over time by holding the Ctrl button down and clicking on selected levels in the "Type" menu box.
Getting Help
- If I have trouble, whom can I call for help?
There are several ways to get in touch with our technical staff. You can contact our help desk at CustomerSupport@conquestsystems.com.