Much harder question is the distinction between a dataset and a collection,I think this is what is getting us into trouble. The concept of a dataset should be independent of the services available for it: a dataset served from two different servers could very well have different services/protocols available, depending on the server. (the aggregation server converts collections to datasets, for example). Yet from the THREDDS/educational point of view, it is the same object.
since a dataset is a collection of data. I have conceptualized it as
follows: a dataset is something that can be selected, and then it is
processed in a protocol-dependent way. A collection is a
protocol-independent mechanism for grouping datasets.
Benno
-- Dr. M. Benno Blumenthal address@hidden International Research Institute for climate prediction Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University Palisades NY 10964-8000 (845) 680-4450