Metadata Entry Tools

[Lee Belbin <lee_bel@antdiv.gov.au>]

Recently from Shawn Callahan-

"At this point in time the best solution appears to be implementing a web
based application that hooks into a database.  The application resides in
one location (no distribution problems) and the metadata is stored safely
(sometimes) in a database."

I agree. If we were going to get the concept of metadata well accepted by
the 'user community', there needs to be a very enticing/rewarding way of
getting information. The web is the only way I can conceive of this
happening. I am aware of a number of projects that are either working or in
the process of development-

There is a DIF metadata authoring tool for the web at-

http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/difweb

(DIF is the standard that I am required to use to send metadata records to
the Antartcic Master Directory in Christchurch).

There is also a rather impressive web site relating to the USA FGDC metadata
standard at-

http://teal.ttc.nbs.gov/nbs/meta/meta.htm

Also an excellent information base-

http://geochange.er.usgs.gov/pub/tools/metadata/

ERIN is developing a rather nice looking web-ANZLIC form using frames. It
should be released soon. ERIN's general metadata/standards page on this is at-

http://www.erin.gov.au/gis/gis_standards.html

My main point for sending this out is to make a plea for tools that can
automate the acquisition of at least some aspects of metadata. For example,
I am aware of some tools for scanning GIS data to determine aspects such as
extents and attributes. This is no easy task to generalize however.
Committees such as ANZLIC/CSDC need to be encouraging activity in this area
if they want general acceptance of the value of metadata.

Lee Belbin
Lee Belbin                                      ! "I have never been lost,
Manager, Australian Antarctic Data Centre       ! but I will admit to being
Australian Antarctic Division                   ! confused for several weeks".
Channel Highway, Kingston, Tas, Australia 7050  !
phone: 61 02 323 460     fax: 61 03 323 351     ! - Daniel Boone
Web: http://www.antdiv.gov.au