As the number of space physics datasets increases internationally it becomes increasingly useful to have a method to find and retrieve data of interest wherever they are located on the network. It is possible to do this to a certain extent already with existing web search tools, but this can miss important data. Specialized search software pointed to specific databases would make this process more efficient. This can be done with existing web link pages. Taken a step farther, however, a specialized search system could allow searching for particular types of data for a particular location or during a given time period or similar intelligent searches.
Efforts are underway now to make individual sites or multiple sites searchable.
Recent developments have been made at the Southwest Research Institute in the U.S., the French space Plasma Physics Data Centre, and probably other places unknown to us. This session will discuss the possibilities for space physics. A few introductory talks will set the stage for discussion followed by determination of future actions.