IBP Buzz Issue 1 - 16th August 2010

Welcome to the maiden issue of IBP Buzz - the Integrated Breeding Platform in-house newsletter. In this issue...

1 Let's talk about us!
How are we doing in getting conversations started and sustained amongst ourselves? What are our talking points for the future? For the pain-free regime we have prescribed, click here.

2 What have we done so far?
Thanks to a great community effort we delivered our first annual report to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on time. But even better than this, we have used the opportunity to build a bird's eye view of our project and your output. This 2010 Report Page starts with a narrative summary and follows with an overview of the components, leading to detailed tables for each component with links to numerous products. Next come detailed reports for each activity, and as a final flourish, the full report in one neat bundle. Component 1 tells you more than you wanted to know but were afraid to ask about SiMAC, User Committee and project management. Component 2 has an impressive list of applications and training materials - ready to go. Component 3 tells you how we are beginning to serve our closest friends - the use cases. Please mine this resource to get to know what your colleagues are up to and what we already have on offer.

3 Tired of that blunt pencil? Electronic Fieldbooks are the answer!
Arllet Portugal has been working like a Trojan since she joined the GCP in April to initiate effective data management strategies with our use case partners. She has helped develop a number of Trait Dictionaries, implemented several database systems for different crops and trained a lot of partners in how to do the job right. And just remember, you too can have your Wiki Activity pages this informative and looking this good.

4 The Watering Hole
The Portal shall be the watering hole at which all shall gather to partake of services and catch up on the latest buzz. We have had to rethink the sinking of the well, with a view to ensuring it does deliver, and in the most optimum way possible. For our latest thinking on this Activity, click here. And for the revised Activity Objectives and Timelines, click here.