Why We Create Metadata and How it is Useful Bruce Godfrey University of Idaho Library INSIDE Idaho...
-
Upload
bernadette-payne -
Category
Documents
-
view
222 -
download
2
Transcript of Why We Create Metadata and How it is Useful Bruce Godfrey University of Idaho Library INSIDE Idaho...
Why We Create Metadata and How it is Useful
Bruce Godfrey
University of Idaho Library
INSIDE Idaho
email: [email protected]
What is it?
“Data about data”– background information which describes the
content and characteristics of the data
What is it?
Paper maps – contain metadata (map legend)
In this form, metadata is readily apparent and easily transferred between map producers and map users.
Digital form– metadata is equally as important
development and maintenance often require a more conscious effort on the part of data producers and the chain of subsequent users who may modify the data to suit their particular needs
Forms of Metadata
File folder filled with notes on data sources and procedures used to build the data
CSDGM compliant digital metadata
Why is it Important?(purpose)
Data browsing– metadata may support the creation of an
inventory of the data holdings
Data transfer– potential users can search to find the data they
need for their intended application
Why is it Important?(purpose)
Data documentation (insurance)– Insures that the data holdings of an agency are
well documented and that agencies are not vulnerable to losing all the knowledge about their data when key employees retire or accept other jobs
– Insures that potential data users can make an informed decision about whether data are appropriate for the intended use
Why is it Important?
Creation:– Management
Keep track of your data Prevent duplication of efforts Performance indicator
Distribution– Avoid answering questions about the data
– Promote the organization’s products and abilities
Creation, Management and Distribution
Concluded that metadata is beneficial– Metadata creation and management (tools)– Distribution
Ways to Distribute Metadata
Include the metadata with your data sets– Print the record(s) on paper– Save a copy of the digital version on the media
Provide metadata on the Internet– The Internet is the fastest growing information
source available– On-line metadata is an effective tool for
promotion and distribution
Internet Metadata Distribution
Some organizations may lack the resources for on-line metadata distribution– can still benefit from the Internet by using a
Clearinghouse Many organizations have a web site or have
plans to develop one– reach additional users by using a Clearinghouse
What is a Clearinghouse
Decentralized system of servers located on the Internet (~ 200)
Fundamental Goal: Provide access to digital spatial data through metadata.
Using the data elements defined in the Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM), participants can make their collections of spatial information searchable and accessible
Benefits of Clearinghouse
Minimize duplication of effort between different organizations/agencies– data sharing
Coordinate data collection and research activities
Provides a primary data dissemination mechanism– users can read metadata, view graphics of the data,
and download the data
Service Requirements
Multi-user host support Multi-user host support (UNIX, Windows-NT)(UNIX, Windows-NT)
Full-time Internet Full-time Internet connectivityconnectivity
Z39.50 Server software Z39.50 Server software (e.g. Isite)(e.g. Isite)
SGML format of FGDC SGML format of FGDC metadatametadata
Web browser Web browser supporting HTML 2.0+ supporting HTML 2.0+ (Java)(Java)
Internet connectivityInternet connectivity
ServerServer ClientClient56kbs+56kbs+ 14.4kbs+14.4kbs+
Client Consults Clearinghouse Gateway
?Clearinghouse
GatewayForm
?
list of links
Alaska GDC
EDC
ESRI
FGDC
NOAA CSC
NRCS
User starts consulting User starts consulting Clearinghouse by downloading a Clearinghouse by downloading a form from one of the gateways that form from one of the gateways that includes all the query fields and a includes all the query fields and a current list (registry) of servers current list (registry) of servers maintained by the FGDC.maintained by the FGDC.
Client Consults Server Registry
Non-Profit Agency
Federal Agency
Academic
State Agency
Private Company
?ClearinghouseServer Registry?
list of links
User composes a User composes a query in the HTML query in the HTML interface and passes interface and passes it back through the it back through the gateway.gateway.
Distributed Query is Passed to Servers
Federal Agency
Academic
State Agency
Private Company
Non-Profit Agency
? ?
?
?
?
?The gateway host The gateway host spawns spawns connections to the connections to the various servers.various servers.
Results Returned as “Headlines”
Non-Profit Agency
Private Company
State Agency
Federal Agency
Academic
The servers respond The servers respond with a set of headlines with a set of headlines to return to the client, to return to the client, all collated into a single all collated into a single set of results presented set of results presented in HTML.in HTML.
Client Requests a Metadata Entry
Federal Agency
Academic
State Agency
Private Company
Non-Profit Agency
The client requests a metadata record and views the HTML version of that metadata record.
Metadata Read, Graphic is Viewed, Data are Downloaded
Federal Agency
Academic
State Agency
Private Company
Non-Profit Agency
URL’s within the metadata record allow data to be
• viewed (graphic)• downloaded
Demonstration
FGDC Clearinghouse– http://130.11.52.184/– http://www.fgdc/gov > Clearinghouse >
Search for Geospatial Data
Clearinghouse Approach
ClientClient MetadataMetadata SpatialSpatialData SetData Set
INSIDE Idaho: 906 Searches (February 2000 - June 2000)