I was at the Sustainable Food Systems conference yesterday, and I got the following question from a Highly Esteemed Person, who I will call 'Cat.'

HEPCat: I've heard about the Taxonomy Project, but I'm not quite sure what it is.  Is this a waste of time?
Me: Well, it's complicated...but no, it is not a waste of time!  You can get a lot out of it.  I'll write a blog post tomorrow.    By the way, did you try that sweet cornbread at lunch?  It's fantastic!

Fast forward to today, and the blog post exists (you're reading it now). And yes, the cornbread at the conference was fantastic!

The Taxonomy Personnel System (TPS) is a collection of information we have for each employee in ANR.  It's a lot like the ANR Directory.  But on a few questionable 'nutritional supplements.'

Let's start from the top. What data is currently in TPS, and what is the source for the data?

• Name, Units, Title: ANR Directory--edited by individual, Staff Personnel, Academic Personnel.
• Employee Type: Personnel units, campus LDAP servers.
• Leaves/Appointments: Academic Profile system, managed by Academic Personnel.
• Education: Self selected, PPS or from Academic Personnel.
• Categories: Categories match the Federal Reporting requirements. Data for Advisors and Specialists initially loaded from DANRIS-X. Self selected. Advisors have a "required" category which is identified as the primary reporting category.
• Campus/Employee #: Corporate Personnel System.
• FTE by FPP: DANRIS-X.
• Restricted Data: Corporate Personnel System. (Last hired, birth year, salary, appointment type, collective bargaining unit, years of service.)

Go to the top of the screen and click 'View Report'.  You'll be rewarded with a report of all the people who are in those livestock categories- grouped by category.

HEPCat: Wait Karl, I didn't follow your instructions...can you explain it more clearly?
Me: It's actually not that difficult.  Just fiddle around with the buttons, I'm sure you'll figure it out.  If you really can't get it, give me a call.
HEPCat: That's nice.

Viewing the report- click on John Harper's name and you'll see more info that you've ever wanted to know about John. (Depending on who you are, you *may* be able to see the 'restricted information' which goes into more detail.  If you do not see that restricted information, but think you should, please contact me.)

Hit your back button twice- this will take you back to the report builder.  Everything you've done so far is great, but let's imagine you're really only interested in County based livestock people.  You could achieve this in one of two ways:

You could limit 'Employee Types' to 'Advisors.'  
OR- you could limit by 'Units.'  

Let's go with units for now.  Click the 'Add Units' link.  From the dropdown, select 'All Counties' and click the 'Add Unit' button.  Now run the report again...notice that we only see county based personnel.

Take that same idea, and change the criteria any way you would like.

HEPCat: Hey Karl- how do I find other people who are interested in the same things I am?
Me: Have you tried OKCupid?  eHarmony? Match.com?  I have an aunt who you might like.
HEPCat: No, I mean like plants and stuff.  You know; work things.
Me: Oh...okay.  But really, here's my aunt's number.

To do this quickly, go to the 'Individual Report' on the home page of the TPS.  Run the report based on your last name.  Once you see the categories, just click on them.  You'll see other people just like you.

Oh- you don't have any categories identified yet?

It is important to note that NONE of this information is any good if you don't tell us what you are interested in! Please, please, please!  Enter your Taxonomy information!  You can do this by clicking on the 'Edit My Taxonomy' button on the top bar.

Thanks!