An innovative workflow is presented, leading from a simple
character and taxon matrix, prepared in an Excel spreadsheet, to a functioning
free-access matrix key, stored in SDD (Structured Descriptive Data) format
and presented in the flash-based free-access key player IBIS-ID directly on
the web. The subset of matrix key functionality supported by this workflow
include categorical and quantitative characters, multiple character states for
a given taxon, taxon, character, and state illustrations, and a single character
grouping level. Advanced features such as complex character or taxon trees,
character dependency, or taxon-specific state images are not supported.
The workflow aims to attract new contributors for which the learning curve of
special purpose matrix-key editing software is too steep.
