|
The list of materials and
resources that follows just scratches the surface of good material out there
to help the metadata creator. Most files are Adobe portable document files
(pdf) and will require Adobe Reader to view them.
Download
the free Adobe Acrobat Reader
Choose from the following topic area:
UNDERSTANDING METADATA
"Getting to Know Metadata" gives an overview of metadata, its context in the larger
National Spatial Data Infrastructure program, and some ideas to keep in mind
when writing metadata.
HOW TO SEARCH FOR AND READ METADATA
Visit the
Chicago Region Clearinghouse
Cooperative. This is a brief description of our entry page into the
system.
To get there,
click here to see instructions or
return to NIPC's home page at www.nipc.org; click on the link "Chicago
Region GIS Clearinghouse & Catalog"; click on the brown button labeled "GO
TO THE CLEARINGHOUSE"; scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the
blue button labeled "Search Clearinghouse"; click on any button on the map;
and select an interface to search for spatial data (for example "place
names"). This returns a clearinghouse search form or wizard to complete in
order to search the clearinghouses. You may specify keywords, dates, and
geographic extent of the data you are seeking. The result of your query is a
list of metadata records that meet your search criteria.
- these instructions are
also available in PDF or
PowerPoint formats
How to Read
Metadata Like a Shark provides a quick check list of how to read the
metadata record efficiently.
HOW TO WRITE METADATA
Here are a number of published materials
that will help you create metadata records.
METADATA CREATION TOOLS
A number of different tools to create and
manage metadata exist. For a more complete review of them, please see the
following links.
The two used at NIPC are Tkme and ESRI's Arc
Catalog's metadata tab.
- Tkme (metadata editing
software)
To download Tkme, a free, easy to install
metadata editor,
click
here and follow the directions to download a self-extracting
executable file.
To understand how to use Tkme,
click here.
You need a valid license of Arc 8.x in
order to run Arc Catalog and access their metadata tab. To understand a
few basics of the tool, click here.
- Arc Catalog metadata
tab basics are also available in
PDF or PowerPoint
formats
METADATA FUN, TIPS, AND HELP RESOURCES
Go ahead, have a chuckle!
Our Top 10 list is sure to tickle
somebody's funny bone.
Metadata Primer -- A
"How To" Guide on Metadata Implementation. This resource is
comprehensive yet basic in its approach. An excellent source to begin with.
"Positional Accuracy
Handbook: Using the
National Standard for
Spatial Data
Accuracy to Measure and
Report Geographic
Data Quality"
CSDGM Metadata
Tool Exercise. "This exercise provides an introduction to the Content
Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM), a summary of the
importance of validation and formatting of metadata, and step-by-step
walk-throughs for the use of several complementary metadata tools."
Here are some hints for
good writing practices.
A page that gives some
general advice and
tips for creating metadata.
This is a list of the
10 most common metadata writing
errors.
USGS National Mapping Information Geographic Names Information System.
Very useful for getting a latitude and longitude for a place name.
We've developed a technique for keeping
track of work throughout the life of a project. We call it a
"Project Log" and it is a chronological
file of notes taken by whomever works on a project; it references materials,
procedures, and software used to process a data file; and it often
chronicles what doesn't work and why. A checklist of what goes into a
project log and how to keep one can be found here.
Latitude Longitude Conversion services:
|
