INTRODUCTION

The discussion of software for reading SEED format data is complicated by the fact that there are three types of SEED volumes in use. The distinction between the different types of volumes is just a matter of what information is or is not included in a volume. The actual format of all SEED volumes conforms to the SEED standard. The basic types of SEED volumes are:

1. Network oriented SEED volumes:

   A. Full SEED volumes, such as written by the Data Collection Center at ASL or the IRIS Data Management Center in Seattle. These volumes are written in accordance with the SEED specifications and are completely self-contained--that is, all information necessary to analyze the data on a volume (such as the complete instrument response, station location, etc.) are on the volume with the data. This is the format typically used to distribute data to users. These volumes can contain data for one or more stations.

   B. Dataless SEED volumes can contain everything a full SEED volume does, except for the data. Dataless SEED volumes are usually used to exchange/update information about stations. For example, the IRIS DMC provides dataless SEED volumes so people may obtain the latest possible information about stations (i.e. instrument response, station coordinates, etc.). These volumes can contain information for one or more stations.

2. Station or field oriented volumes:

   The so-called Data Only SEED format (also called Mini-SEED or data-only SEED) volumes are essentially an abbreviated SEED volume, typically written by the data logging system in the field. This format is usually only used for data recording purposes. A mini-SEED volume essentially contains data samples and timing information and nothing else.

3. Event oriented volumes:

   These volumes can be much like the Network volumes, but are designed with the idea that the data are for specific events (e.g. earthquakes, explosions, etc.). Thus, these volumes contain extra information pertaining to the event(s) recorded by the data.

SOFTWARE

With the above SEED volume types in mind, we will try to summarize the SEED reading software which we know of. Please note that this is just a partial list and there are almost certainly other programs (or features of the following programs) that we are unaware of. Much of the software is available from the IRIS DMC bulletin board. To access the DMC, telnet to dmc.iris.washington.edu and login as "bulletin" with the password "board". Also, although many of these programs were developed on Sun computers, it may be that these programs could easily be ported to other UNIX workstations (e.g. those made by IBM, Hewlett-Packard, etc.).

1. "RDSEED"

   computers supported: Sun computers
   language: C
   source code available?: yes
   SEED volume types: Network SEED, dataless SEED, Mini-SEED, and event-oriented SEED volumes.
   output formats: various (SAC, AH, CSS, mini-SEED)
   availability: contact IRIS DMC (telnet to dmc.iris.washington.edu, login: bulletin, password: board)
   features: Will directly read full network volumes or dataless SEED volumes. Will read mini-SEED if a dataless SEED volume is also present so that header information can be simultaneously read from the dataless SEED volume. Will read from SEED volumes on tape, disk, or CD-ROM.

2. GEOSCOPE SEED reader

   computers supported: Sun (I am unaware if there are versions for other machines)
   language: FORTRAN
   source code available?:
   SEED volume types:
   output formats: an easy-to-use format particular to this program
   availability: distributed on the GEOSCOPE data CD-ROMs
   features:

3. "PITSA"

   computers supported: Sun (there is also a version for PC's, but it does not directly read SEED format).
   language: C
   source code available?:
   SEED volume types:
   output formats: ISAM, ASCII
   availability: IRIS DMC (telnet to dmc.iris.washington.edu, login: bulletin, password: board)
   features: an all purpose package for the display and analysis of waveforms.

4. "PASSCAL Quick Look"

   computers supported: Sun (?)
   source code available?:
   language: ?
   SEED volume types: Mini-SEED volumes
   output formats: ?
   availability: IRIS DMC (telnet to dmc.iris.washington.edu, login: bulletin, password: board)
   features: developed for examining waveforms recorded by PASSCAL program instruments. Can read mini-SEED volumes and display waveforms.
   

5. "CD-LOOK"

   computers supported: Sun computers using the "Open Windows" display manager
   language: ?
   source code available?:
   SEED volumes read: Event-oriented SEED volumes
   output formats: ?
   availability: ORFEUS Data Center
   features: Reads SEED format data which are on CD-ROM's (such as distributed by ORFEUS). Allows browsing of data on the CD before extracting the data.
   

6. "DUMPSEED"

   computers supported: Sun computers
   language: C
   source code available?: yes
   SEED volumes read: Mini-SEED
   output format: ASCII
   availability: IRIS DMC (telnet to dmc.iris.washington.edu, login: bulletin, password: board)
   features: designed as a sample program illustrating how to read mini-SEED volumes.