[DDI-CDG] Beta-release of XML Browser tool for DDI 1/2/3

[Pascal Heus]

Dear DDI experts:

This is to let you know that we have released for beta-testing a new
"XML Browser" tool that facilitates the exploration of  DDI 1/2.x and 
DDI 3.0 documents and provides basic transformation for visualization in
HTML.
It can be downloaded at:  http://www.opendatafoundation.org/tools/xmlbrowser

The tool is Javascript based and runs in a standard web browser such as
Internet Explorer and Firefox.  It comes with an experimental 2.0 to 3.0
transform that maps variables (dataDscr/var) into 3.0 QuestionScheme,
CategoryScheme, CodeScheme, and VariableScheme. Sample files from ICPSR
and the IHSN have been included for demo purposes. You'll find them in
the "examples" folder below the software installation directory (if you
use the Windows Installer, this will be located in
C:\Program File\Open Data Foundation\XML Browser)

This is a preliminary release and there is certainly room for
improvement. You expert input, comments, suggestions, ideas will be very
much appreciated and helpful in making it ready for the general public.
The code is of course open source and we welcome contributions from
interested users. Also, if you have sample DDI documents or
transformations that you think would be useful for integration in the
distribution, do not hesitate to contact us.

Finally, we are also looking for a cool name for this product. Keeping
in mind that it will be used for other statistical metadata
specifications as well, email us your suggestions or let us know your
favorites from the following list:
Dexter, MetadatriX, MetaDexter, MetaRaptor, MetatistiX, MetaVista,
Metaxa, Panorama, Panoramix, StatExplorer, StatistiX, StatiX, StatiXML,
StatiXview,
StatMeister, StatScope StatoScope, StatVision, StatVista, StatRaptor,
StatWeasle, StatXplorer, XPlorer

Looking forward to hearing from you.

All the best,
The XML Browser Development Team!
Contact: info at opendatafoundation.org