Rankster A web utility app to make it fast and easy to create extracts and reports with ranked data John Blodgett Nov, 2013

Where Rankster Fits Part of the Uexplore/Dexter system. To run rankster to access a data set you first access that data set with Dexter. Rankster can then be invoked directly on that set (bypassing Dexter), or you can run Dexter and pass the results (extracted data set) to rankster.

Why Tie it to Dexter? Dexter provides great flexibility in terms of specifying a set of rows and columns that the user wishes to access. Dexter works within the uexplore-based navigation system to facilitate locating data and viewing metadata. So we get all this additional power without having to reinvent it within rankster.

How Do I Invoke It? At the top of the Dexter query form you’ll see “Rankster option” drop-down select. Click down arrow on this list and select one of the two “yes” options. The “let me reiview” dexter output option lets you examine your extract result before proceeding to rankster. “No review” options skips this and goes straight to rankster. You also can click on link that will skip dexter and go straight to rankster.

What Rankster Does Creates (unless instructed otherwise) a csv output file with selected variables and (for some) their ranks. Generates reports that display the data with a focus on showing how they rank. Options allow user to choose which of these two output types are wanted. You can choose either one or both.

Rankster Reports Have at most 12 columns, divided into 3 sections from left to right. The 3 sections are: 1.Identifiers 2.Ranked variables: their values & ranks. 3.Other un-ranked numeric variables.

Rankster Query Form What you see when you invoke the app. Similar in look and structure to Dexter query form. On-line help similar to Dexter. 3 Sections: 1.Select variables. 2.Rank and filter options. 3.Output options.

Runnning and Retrieving Output Works just like Dexter. Use Run Rankster button to invoke the app. Output page lets you know if it worked and, if so, provides links to your output file(s).

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