To facilitate handling, GLOBE has been divided into 16 smaller pieces, or tiles.

One option for file naming would have been to include latitudes and longitudes in each tile. However, we wanted to include the version number of each data file. We also wanted to identify the G.O.O.D. versions of GLOBE (unrestricted data) and B.A.D. versions (best available data, but with noted restrictions). Both may exist for any given tile. In addition, we wanted to allow for the GZIP process which takes two characters from DOS (traditional PC 8.3 character) file names.

Finally, we wanted to be prepared for the Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS), a set of standards designed for improved transfer of spatial data between computer systems. (Currently a developing standard in the U.S., it is being considered by the International Standards Organization for worldwide use.) SDTS only allows the data developer to use the first four characters of a file name. The other characters are reserved for naming the SDTS "modules" (that is, the transfer files).

In order to be SDTS compliant, we restricted the tile name to four characters. The file naming convention for the data and source files is as follows:

• First, a letter that fits the following tiling diagram:
  

   
                  180W      90W        0        90E       180E
  North Pole  90N+---------+---------+---------+---------+
                 |         |         |         |         |
                 |    A    |    B    |    C    |    D    |
                 |         |         |         |         |
              50N+---------+---------+---------+---------+
                 |         |         |         |         |
                 |    E    |    F    |    G    |    H    |
                 |         |         |         |         |
  Equator       0+---------+---------+---------+---------+
                 |         |         |         |         |
                 |    I    |    J    |    K    |    L    |
                 |         |         |         |         |
              50S+---------+---------+---------+---------+
                 |         |         |         |         |
                 |    M    |    N    |    O    |    P    |
                 |         |         |         |         |
  South Pole  90S+---------+---------+---------+---------+
  

• Second, the 2-digit version number. This refers to the version of the tile. For example, if Tile A of GLOBE Version 1.0 is revised with new or corrected data, that first revision would create Version 1.1 for the tile, which would then be named A11G. A major revision of GLOBE (for example, the addition of bathymetric data to all tiles) might create GLOBE Version 2.0 (and the A tile would have file name A20G until revised again).
• Third, the type of data file (to the left of the dot in the file name):

  GG.O.O.D. GLOBE data (unrestricted GLOBE data)
  BB.A.D. GLOBE data (restricted GLOBE data)
  SSource/lineage data (for G.O.O.D. GLOBE data)
  TSource/lineage data (for B.A.D. GLOBE data)

• Fourth, the data file extensions (to the right of the dot) identifying data format:

  (no extension) - uncompressed data or source/lineage file (from CD-ROMs containing uncompressed data)
  .gz - gzip-compressed data or source/lineage file (from the Web site or source file directory on the CD-ROM containing compressed data)
  

Note that all of the filenames on the CD-ROMs are stored in lowercase.