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 – 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)