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Why We Create Metadata and How it is Useful

Why We Create Metadata and How it is Useful. Bruce Godfrey University of Idaho Library INSIDE Idaho email: godf0084@uidaho.edu. What is it?. “Data about data” background information which describes the content and characteristics of the data. What is it?. Paper maps

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Why We Create Metadata and How it is Useful

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  1. Why We Create Metadata and How it is Useful Bruce Godfrey University of Idaho Library INSIDE Idaho email: godf0084@uidaho.edu

  2. What is it? • “Data about data” • background information which describes the content and characteristics of the data

  3. 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

  4. Forms of Metadata • File folder filled with notes on data sources and procedures used to build the data • CSDGM compliant digital metadata

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Creation, Management and Distribution • Concluded that metadata is beneficial • Metadata creation and management (tools) • Distribution

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. Server Client 56kbs+ 14.4kbs+ • Multi-user host support (UNIX, Windows-NT) • Full-time Internet connectivity • Z39.50 Server software (e.g. Isite) • SGML format of FGDC metadata • Web browser supporting HTML 2.0+ (Java) • Internet connectivity Service Requirements

  14. Alaska GDC EDC ESRI FGDC NOAA CSC NRCS Client Consults Clearinghouse Gateway Clearinghouse Gateway Form ? ? list of links User starts consulting Clearinghouse by downloading a form from one of the gateways that includes all the query fields and a current list (registry) of servers maintained by the FGDC.

  15. State Agency Federal Agency Private Company Academic Non-Profit Agency Client Consults Server Registry Clearinghouse Server Registry ? ? list of links User composes a query in the HTML interface and passes it back through the gateway.

  16. ? State Agency Federal Agency Private Company Academic Non-Profit Agency Distributed Query is Passed to Servers ? ? ? The gateway host spawns connections to the various servers. ? ?

  17. Federal Agency Academic Non-Profit Agency Results Returned as “Headlines” State Agency Private Company The servers respond with a set of headlines to return to the client, all collated into a single set of results presented in HTML.

  18. Federal Agency Private Company Academic Non-Profit Agency Client Requests a Metadata Entry State Agency The client requests a metadata record and views the HTML version of that metadata record.

  19. State Agency Federal Agency Private Company Academic Non-Profit Agency Metadata Read, Graphic is Viewed, Data are Downloaded • URL’s within the metadata record allow data to be • viewed (graphic) • downloaded

  20. Demonstration • FGDC Clearinghouse • http://130.11.52.184/ • http://www.fgdc/gov > Clearinghouse > Search for Geospatial Data

  21. Clearinghouse Approach Spatial Data Set Client Metadata INSIDE Idaho: 906 Searches (February 2000 - June 2000)

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