RADAR Software Release (Version 1.8)

Published: 18.12.2020

A new RADAR version (1.8) is available since 15.12.2020. In it, we have optimized one of RADAR's core features - the research data upload - and made it extensible for future enhancements. In addition, we have redesigned the login page to be more user-friendly. Both optimization aspects were suggested by the RADAR User Advisory Board.

The improvements in detail:

Creation of data packages optimized
The improvements aim to make the research data upload easy, intuitive to use and secure for users. Accordingly, we have optimized the user experience, functionally integrated information and decision-making options, and added additional user helps. For example, users are informed that when creating a data package, packed archives (.zip, .tar, .tgz, .tar.gz, tar.bz2) are optionally unpacked during the upload while retaining the existing folder structure. We have also seamlessly integrated the proven checksum generation (MD5 hash value) for optional data integrity checking into the data upload process. For creating data packages, the options "Upload dataset" and "Create empty dataset" are now each available as independent tabs. Other upload alternatives (e.g. from Git repository) can be added as additional tabs in the future.
Login page optimized
Many institutions already use delegated authentication via DFN-AAI as the German Shibboleth federation to log in to RADAR. Users from these institutions do not need a separate RADAR account, but can conveniently authenticate to RADAR using their institutional account credentials. These institutions had suggested that the login option via the institutional account be made more prominent and informative for users. With the current release, we have addressed this need. The optimized login page can be found here. Also, our registration form now includes a note that registration is unnecessary if logging into RADAR is possible via the institutional account.
Other improvements
From now on, the RADAR software uses only technically necessary cookies, which are deleted when the browser is closed. Other improvements on the RADAR landing page, such as direct links to licensing information on Creative-Commons pages, round up this release.
We hope that all these aspects will further improve the user experience of RADAR. Would you like to have a look for yourself? - RADAR can be tested without obligation. You can find more information here.