FathomNet 1.0: Taxonomic Discussions, Annotation Verification, and Community Collaboration
We are thrilled to announce the official release of FathomNet 1.0, marking the end of its beta phase. FathomNet, our platform for expertly labeled ocean images, has undergone significant enhancements to empower users and foster a vibrant community. With the introduction of new features and functionalities, FathomNet 1.0 provides an engaging new way to discuss taxonomic ID’s and verify annotations. Our marine science expert colleagues made it clear FathomNet needed robust tools for tracking activity and constructively discussing animal IDs. Version 1.0 is built to address those needs…and adds a few fun features, too!
FathomNet 1.0 introduces several features that elevate the user experience, promote collaboration within the taxonomic community, and address the feedback received during the beta phase. These enhancements include:
Annotation History: The new annotation history feature tracks contributor handles at all stages of the process, from image contributors to annotators to verifiers. It elucidates changes in labels and verifications, promoting transparency and accountability. Users can access the complete history of annotations made on a taxonomic ID, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing within the FathomNet community.
Badges: The new FathomNet badges recognize and celebrate user achievements. Early adopter badges distinguish those who have actively contributed to shaping and refining the platform. Additionally, badges for image contributors, annotators, and verifiers showcase their valuable roles and contributions.
Default Taxonomy Update: FathomNet has transitioned from using the MBARI internal knowledge base to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) as the default taxonomy. This update ensures access to a globally recognized taxonomy, aligning FathomNet with the broader scientific community.
Community Page and Follow Functionality: FathomNet now features a dedicated Community page, listing and allowing users to search for individuals and organizations who use the platform. Users can also follow concepts, regions, and other users/organizations of interest. The “Latest Activity” feed on the website displays these preferences, keeping users informed and engaged.
ORCID Integration: FathomNet includes an ORCID iD field on the account page, enabling researchers to connect their professional profiles with their contributions on FathomNet. Contributions made on the platform can then be associated with a unique identifier, providing a record of users’ activities.
The release of FathomNet 1.0 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of our platform. With this bevy of new features, FathomNet has transformed into a dynamic space for taxonomic discussions, annotation verification, and community collaboration.
As marine scientists use these tools, the annotation history will become a valuable data source for future machine learning efforts. There are all sorts of cool experiments one could cook up using the chatter to explore joint language and image models. And speaking of models, stay tuned for our next big push — FathomNet Model Zoo version 1.0. The Model Zoo indexes machine learning models trained on data in FathomNet, encompassing various domains and applications. We’ll be greatly expanding the current version that lives on GitHub.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated FathomNet community for their invaluable feedback, which has shaped these updates and new features. Join us on FathomNet.org and be part of the global effort to advance taxonomic understanding and scientific collaboration of ocean life.
