Yoda FAQ & Cookbook
Yoda is a research data management service that enables you and your research partners to securely deposit, share, publish and preserve large amounts of research data during all stages of a research project.
Yoda is a safe and reliable service. It allows you to store data in a simple filing structure similar to that on the W:-drive or OneDrive, while it also allows more detailed metadata and sharing management. Yoda can help you and your research group to fulfil FAIR research data goals.
WUR Library offers Yoda at the group level (e.g. chair group or business unit), but also at the project level (e.g. project team).
How to get started
- Determine who will fulfil the role of ‘data manager’.
In Yoda, the technical role of ‘data manager’ exists. This user has the rights to create groups, add users to groups and invite new users. The data manager also has to review and approve data, before it is archived in the Yoda vault. These responsibilities can be shared across multiple users. For Yoda to work well in your group you will have to determine the person(s) responsible for these tasks; s/he or they will have the data manager role in the system. Usually, the data steward fulfils the role of data manager, but can also be a secretary or project manager. - Let the assigned data manager send an email to the Data Desk with the request for a Yoda account.
Let us know for which group/project the account is requested and who is assigned as data manager. An account will be created of which the data manager will be notified via email. Note: when requesting an account, please also coordinate with the chair group holder or team leader as s/he has the final responsibility of the data withing a research group.
When you have an account
- Have a look at the ‘Yoda cookbook’ available through the link on the right to get you started.
For more information see the FAQs below. Other questions? The Data Desk is happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Yoda, being a network drive, serve as an alternative for the M:-drive and/or MS-Onedrive?
Yes, it is an alternative for the M: and W:-drive. It is not an alternative for OneDrive as the user needs to be online and Yoda does not have syncing capabilities.
What is the storage capacity a user gets on Yoda?
Will the M: or W: drive be phased out in favour of Yoda?
Can the Yoda web interface be adapted so the look and feel is similar to that of MS-Onedrive?
My upload speed is very slow? Can I use different clients to connect to YODA?
WinSCP is also a client that gives many options for uploading and syncing of folders to a remote Yoda server. WinSCP can be installed through the WUR Software Center, in the start menu (search for ‘WinSCP’). See instructions on the UU website for setting up WinSCP.
Are different clients better security wise? Is one client more safe than the other?
Can an option be created in the Yoda web interface to search for files of all Yoda users which are stored in their vaults? Perhaps, also an advanced search option (search by metadata for example)?
Can the default metadata form be changed?
What is the difference between groups and (sub)categories?
What data classification should I select: Negligible, Some, Serious or Disruptive? Can I restrict user access by doing this?
At the moment, the data classification is just a label in the Yoda system meaning that all your data is internally handled as serious. As such, there is currently no technical distinction between the classifications. However, it is good practice to try and classify data appropriately. For example, ‘Negligible’ for public data, ‘Some’ for common projects and ‘Serious’ for personal staff folders or proprietary data. If you believe you have data with a ‘Disruptive’ classification, please contact the Data Desk to discuss security measures in detail.
See also here for a guide on how to classify data.