Merge branch 'traits_tutorials' of github.com:terraref/tutorials into traits_tutorials

Author: kimberlyh66

index.Rmd

@@ -11,16 +11,37 @@ output:
 
 # Overview
 
-This book is intended to introduce users to TERRA REF data as quickly as possible. 
+This book is intended to quickly introduce users to TERRA REF data through a series of tutorials. TERRA REF has many types of data, and most can be  accessed in multiple ways. Although this makes it more complicated to learn (and teach!), the objective is to provide users with the flexibility to access data in the most useful way.
 
-It introduces to the wide range of phenomics datasets generated by the TERRA Reference program. Not only does TERRA REF have a large number of data sets, but many of the databases can be accessed in a number of different ways. While this makes it more complicated to learn, the goal is to provide users with the flexibility to access data in the most useful way.
 
-## User Accounts and permission to access TERRA REF data
+## Contents
+
+The first section walks the user through the steps of downloading and combining three different types of data: plot level phenotypes, meteorological data, and images. Subesquent sections provide more detailed examples that show how to access a larger variety of data and meta-data.
+
+## Pre-requisites
+
+While we assume that readers will have some familiarity with the nature of the problem - remote sensing of crop plants - for the most part, these tutorials assume that the user will bring their own scientific questions and a sense of curiosity and are eager to learn. 
+
+These tutorials are aimed at users who are familiar with or willing to learn programming languages including R (particularly for accessing plot level trait data) and Python (primarily for accessing environmental data and sensor data). In addition, there are examples of using SQL for more sophisticated database queries as well as the bash terminal.
+
+Some of the lessons only require a web browser; others will assume familarity with programming at the command line in (typically only one of) Python, R, and / or SQL. You should be willing to find help (see finding help, below).
 
-TODO: link to relevant parts of docs.terraref.org
+## Technical Requirements
 
-* Info on how to [request access to data](https://docs.terraref.org/user-manual/how-to-access-data/using-betydb-trait-data-experimental-metadata) 
+At a minimum, you should have:
 
+* An internet connection
+* Web Browser
+* Access to the data that you are using
+    + The tutorials will state which databases you will need access to
+* Software:
+    + Software requirements vary with the tutorials, and may be complex
+
+## User Accounts and permission to access TERRA REF data
+
+We have tried to write these tutorials using open access sample data sets. However, access to much of the data will require you to 1) fill out the TERRA REF Beta user questionaire ([terraref.org/beta](terraref.org/beta)) and 2) request access to specific databases.
+
+<!-- Not sure where this goes, either in documentation or perhaps in an appendix. But I don't think this belongs in the introduction. Perhaps after the vignettes chaper 
 ## Ways of Acessing Data
 
 * Web Interfaces
@@ -34,44 +55,21 @@ TODO: link to relevant parts of docs.terraref.org
 * API Clients
     + [rOpenSci traits package](https://pecan.gitbook.io/betydb-data-access/ropensci-traits-package)
 
+-->
+
 ## Other Resources
 
 The TERRA REF website: [terraref.org](http://terraref.org/)
 
 The TERRA REF Technical Documentation: [docs.terraref.org](docs.terraref.org)
 
-## Contents
-
-Scope ...
-
-Audience ...
-
-
-## Pre-requisites
-
-While we assume that readers will have some familiarity with the nature of the problem - remote sensing of crop plants - for the most part, these tutorials assume that the user will bring their own scientific questions and a sense of curiosity and are eager to learn. 
-
-Some of the lessons only require a web browser; others will assume familarity with programming at the command line in (typically only one of) Python, R, and / or SQL. You should be willing to find help (see finding help, below).
-
-## Technical Requirements
-
-At a minimum, you should have:
-
-* An internet connection
-* Web Browser
-* A TERRA REF Beta User account
-    + If you have not done so, please sign up at [terraref.org/beta](terraref.org/beta)
-* Access to the data that you are using
-    + The tutorials will state which databases you will need access to
-* Software:
-    + Software requirements vary with the tutorials, and may be complex
-
-
 ## Finding help
 
-- [Slack](terra-ref.slack.com)
-- [GitHub](https://github.com/terraref/tutorials)
-- [Google](https://www.google.com/)
+- Slack at terra-ref.slack.com ([signup](https://terraref-slack-invite.herokuapp.com/))
+- Browse issues and repositories in GitHub: 
+  - search the organization at github.com/terraref
+  - questions about the tutorials in the [tutorials repository](https://github.com/terraref/tutorials/issues)
+  - about the data in the [reference-data repository](https://github.com/terraref/reference-data/issues)
 
 ```{r, include = FALSE}
 knitr::opts_chunk$set(echo = FALSE)