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Getting Started with Digital Commons DataGetting Started with Digital Commons Data

What is Digital Commons Data (DCD)?

Digital Commons Data is a generalist data repository — a research data management (RDM) solution for researchers, administrators, and data curators to store, manage, curate, share and preserve data.

Digital Commons Data offers a secure and trusted hosted platform for researchers to collaborate and manage data-intensive projects, and to share datasets in accordance with the FAIR data principles and funder policies.

Launching a DC Data Repository

When launching a new DC Data Repository we will first set up a Kickoff call to hear your needs and offer tailored examples and advice to support you. After the call you will be provided with a setup form to complete and return.

Some items to consider that will be on the setup form:

Name of Repository
If the repository should have a custom URL on your institution's domain (e.g. https://digitalcommonsdata.usf.edu/)
- If using a custom URL please include an IT Contact that can assist with setting up a CNAME record for the URL
Branding and Assets
- The repository will have a custom banner. Please gather assets or a completed banner to use for the repository
- Banner images need to be high res images at least 2000 pixels wide. Images should be PNG or high quality JPG. Note: The images need to work in letterbox format, which for larger images will result in a strip across the middle of the image being turned into a JPG file of 2000px x 640px.
- Two logos can be displayed on top of a banner image (e.g. https://board.unimib.it/)

DC Data versus Mendeley Data

You may have heard of a similar service known as Mendeley Data. While Digital Commons Data is offered to researchers at subscribing institutions under their institutional (data) repository, Mendeley Data is the Elsevier open generalist data repository to create, share and access FAIR data globally provided free to journal authors and researchers who may not have access to institutional or domain-specific repositories. Below is a comparison chart that shows additional features available with a subscription to DC Data.

	Mendeley Data	Digital Commons Data
Submit and Publish Datasets	✓	✓
Maximum Dataset Size	10GB	100GB (default)
Automatic DOI Registration	✓	✓
Create Collections	X	✓
Create Projects	X	✓
Showcase Page for Institution	X	✓
Institution Level Administration	X	✓
Dataset Moderation	X	✓