> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ak-region-dst.gitbook.io/alaska-region-mdeditor-interim-user-guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ak-region-dst.gitbook.io/alaska-region-mdeditor-interim-user-guide/product-entry-guidance/distribution-tab.md).

# Product Distribution Tab

### **Distribution (Required)**

Distribution provides documentation on how or where users can obtain the data products.  Distribution methods may include online options (e.g., website, database) or offline options (e.g., delivery via email, snail mail, or a library).  Multiple distributions may be added when data products are shared broadly.

#### The Alaska Regional Data Repository project folder location should be added as a distribution, as applicable.   

{% hint style="info" %}
An online distribution link is required for any products sent to data.gov.
{% endhint %}

## Creating a Distribution

*Click **Add Distribution Section** and then **Add Distributors** to begin adding distribution metadata.*

![Blank Distribution Entry](/files/RPzG6c16Vby6ofrjDZ6u)

### Contacts and Role (Required)

Add a contact and select 'distributor' as the role.  The default contact for is 'USFWS Alaska region'

![Example Alaska region contact and role entry](/files/XO1ybQUGvFbCHPzyJP9K)

### Transfer Options (Required)

Transfer Options provide details regarding how to obtain the product. Online and offline options are available.

Select Add Transfer Option.  This opens an Editing Transfer Options for Distributor window.

Select Add Online Option to add the Alaska Regional Data Repository or other online distribution link.

### Online Option (Required if Available)

#### Name

The Name of the online resource should be something that indicates it is a product page where the data can be downloaded. Examples: "product webpage" or "Product Webpage with Downloadable Files." If there are multiple files for a single product record, the Name should be different for each file so the user can differentiate between them. For example, "Download Aguiguan Veg 2016 data" or "Download FDM Veg 2011 data."

{% hint style="info" %}
Use unique names for datasets that will be sent to data.gov. Without a name, the link will display as "webpage."  This or identical names for different datasets are not informative.
{% endhint %}

#### URI

The most important thing to enter is the URL where the product can be accessed or downloaded.

Add the URI for the distribution.  For the RDR, enter the url for the project's archive folder.  For example, the RDR folder location for the Migratory Bird Management land bird project on Red Knots is 'https:\\\ifw7ro-file.fws.doi.net\datamgt\mbm\mbmlb*003\_*RedKnot'.

The format of the online link must start with **https:\\\\** A unintelligible error message will occur otherwise.

{% hint style="danger" %}
  The format of the online link MUST start with **https:\\\\** \
  A unintelligible error message will occur otherwise.
{% endhint %}

![undecipherable error message that occurs when the distribution URL format does not begin with https:\\\\](/files/9EPFwaTzsuEZw6NAPDeT)

{% hint style="info" %}
An online link is required for any products sent to data.gov. Preferably the link should be a direct download to the data and not an intermediary page.
{% endhint %}

#### Function

In the Function field, you should indicate the type of URL. If the link is a direct download of the data, select “download.” If the link goes to an informational page, select “information.”  For the RDR, select "fileAccess"

![Example Alaska Regional Data REpository Distribution online option entry](/files/70uJL9bgCqanMkg1Yaaa)

![Example Alaska Regional Data Repository Distribution Entry](/files/u8G8sYo2N85Vb36hpdc2)

#### How to obtain download link for data also distributed as a USGS ScienceBase Item

In some cases, the data may also be distributed by the USGS.  This distribution information should also be added to your data product metadata record.  

Simply copy the name and url for the data release and paste into your distribution metadata.

![Example USGS ScienceBase distribution entry](/files/RsyYaQmF6WtqYXJeoleW)

### Offline Option

If your product is only available offline, describe how users can obtain the product in this section.

![Blank offline distribution entry fields](/files/HrpcmA9cp3CmuU54wVU6)


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