Re: Metadata Entry Tools

[John Hockaday <johnh@erin.gov.au>]

Lee Belbin writes:

> 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-

ERIN and AODC have also developed a distributed metadatbase called the
"Marine and Coastal Data Directory" (MCDD).  This is a working, fully
distributed Wide Area Information Server (WAIS) database of metadata.
The metadata is located at the individual sites to prompt more accurate
and timely upkeep of the metadata.  The user uses the WWW to access
this data via a spatial and keyword search facility as well a access
via a list of the metadata sets.  Input can be via a relational
database or the WWW input form specifically designd for the MCDD.  A
generic input form will be implemented later to allow individual
agencies preferences.  The standard transfer language is Standard
General Markup Language (SGML).

The problem with a centralised system is that the participating
agencies are not likely to maintain the metadata as it is not on their
own system.  They will enter it once onto the centralised agency's
database and then forget it.  It is also not scaleable.  The database
becomes too big for one centralised agency to maintain.

The distribution of software problem can be solved by cronjobs
automatically downloading the software from a centralised ftp site.


___________________________________________________________________________
John Hockaday - Systems Officer                                 GPO Box 787
email: johnh@erin.gov.au                                  Canberra ACT 2601
phone: +61 6 274 1173  fax: +61 6 274 1333                        Australia
URL:http://www.erin.gov.au/
ERIN          Environmental  Resources  Information  Network           ERIN
___________________________________________________________________________