Environmental Data Directory

[Tony Boston <tony@erin.gov.au>]

To add to comments by Shawn and Lee, ERIN is developing an Environmental
Data Directory (EDD) to store metadata about data sets held in the Commonwealth
Environment Portfolio. The application system includes both a data directory 
and data management component. 

The data directory component is compatible with the ANZLIC guidelines and will 
be accessible via the web. The backend is an Oracle database while the frontend 
will include a Java and HTML-based interface for browsing the data set entries. 
A web data entry facility will also be provided for users within the Portfolio.

The database includes the ability to store on-line links (URLs) to further 
information so that the metadata can link directly to the actual data, on-line 
images or further documentation about the data set. The integration of 
metadata and actual data is an important feature of any directory system and
improves the ability to "sell" the system to users.

The project is due for completion in November 1996, for more information see:

http://www.erin.gov.au/database/edd/edd_summary.html

Tony Boston
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Director, Scientific Computing & Communications	Email: tony@erin.gov.au
Environmental Resources Information Network	Phone: +61-6-274 1134
Dept of the Environment, Sport and Territories	Fax:   +61-6-274 1333
GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT 2601, AUSTRALIA	http://www.erin.gov.au
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