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MetaBase is a user-contributed list of all the biological databases available on the internet. Currently there are 1,800 entries, each describing a different database. The databases are described in a semi-structured way by using templates and entries can cary various user comments and annotations (see a random entry). Entries can be searched, listed or browsed by category.

The site uses the same MediaWiki technology that powers Wikipedia, probably the best known user-contributed resource on the internet. The Mediawiki system allows users to participate on many different levels, ranging from authors and editors to curators and designers.

Contents 1 Database description 2 Current Status 3 Recent Developments 4 See Also 4.1 External Links

[edit] Database description

MetaBase aims to be a flexible, user-driven (user-created) resource for the biological database community.

The main focus of MetaBase is summarised below:

• As a basic requirement, MB contains a list of databases, URLs and descriptions of the most commonly used biological databases currently available on the internet.
• The system should be flexible, allowing users to contribute, update and maintain the data in different ways.
• In the future we aim to generate more communication between the database developer and user communities.

A larger, more ambitious list of aims is given here.

The first point was acheived using data taken from the Molecular Biology Database Collection. Secondly, MetaBase has been implemented using MediaWiki. The final point will take longer, and is dependent on the community uptake of MB...

[edit] Current Status

Right now we have 1,800 articles that have been edited 15,004 times by 80 registered users! Together, we hope to be published in a suitable open access journal.

[edit] Recent Developments

• 2007/05/13 - MetaBase has been entered into the International Openfree Bioinformation Contents Competition.
• 2007/06/01 - MetaBase moves from 'alpha' to 'beta' stage development!
• 2007/06/27 - Time passes. MetaBase 'goes live'.
• 2007/07/01 - We won the International Openfree Bioinformation Contents Competition! As listed here.
• 2007/07/09 - MetaBase is shortly to be announced on the Bioinformatics.Org mailing list.
• 2007/10/01 - MetaBase gets 50 user contributed databases!!!
• 2008/11/30 - Time flies. The MetaBase update procedure is activated.

[edit] See Also

• The guide to using MetaBase.

[edit] External Links