Name/Version: The MDC (Metadata Collector)

Reviewer / Date: Hugh Phillips / 1996

Date of last release: Unknown

Function: Metadata creation/submission tool for Florida agencies to contribute to the Florida Data Directory.

Background Information and software:

Overview of the whole Automated Library System concept, and links to current versions of The Metadata Collector: http://als.dms.state.fl.us/~fdd/help.html#00 (URL broken 12/19/2004)

Platform: MS-Windows, UNIX

Principal Contact:

(MDC) Charles Kacmar, Department of Computer Science, Florida State University, kacmar@cs.fsu.edu
(Florida Data Directory) David Stage, staged@dms.state.fl.us

Status:

Functional beta at time of review, MS-Windows version may have additional functionality not present in the UNIX version. A planned future version of the MDC will more fully support one-to-many relationships and element name labeling to reflect a full implementation of the CSDGM.

By 2000 (four years after review) there appeared to have been considerable development and formalization to using MDC in the state of Florida since the review was written, rendering it fairly obsolete. By December 2004, the Florida Data Directory and reference to MDC seem to have totally disappeared from the web, except for a broken link to a new home for the Florida Data Directory at http://als.dms.state.fl.us/~fdd

Metadata Storage Structure: Discrete, but acts like a database

Brief Description:

The MDC is a forms based tool to allow creation of metadata for the Florida Data Directory. The metadata so produced is not CSDGM compliant, but it satisfies Florida in-state metadata requirements for what they define as the catalog portion of the CSDGM.

Pull down pick lists aid in filling out the forms. External files for various sections can be specified by placing a file insertion command into a data entry field. The interface reflects the professionalism of a mature tool back by excellent programming (although it only claims 'beta' status). Area covered by (or relevant to) a data set is easily documented by mouse clicking on template maps to create a 7.5' grid cell raster representation of the footprint. This footprint data is then used for data frequency/location maps in the Florida Data Directory.

MDC is one of four essential components to support metadata activities in Florida. The MDC provides the metadata submission component through its fill in forms, facility to package metadata information, and the ability to submit the information to the second component, the automated library facility. The library module parses the received records, creates metadata reports and maps, and makes the information accessible through the Florida Data Directory webserver. A behind-the-scenes Librarian facility provides the electronic management component; it allows for the authorization of catalogers, assessment of submissions, and the ability to communicate with all the authorized catalogers. The fourth component is the multi-organizational management structure which includes authorizing metadata submission templates and training individuals who job responsibilities include creating metadata with the MDC for the Florida Data Directory.

Cost: none

Notable Plus: Templates can be modified for new buttons, fields, and pick lists.

Notable Minus: -

Sample of Interface: MS-Windows

• The MDC comes a set of standard record templates, which are selected from a pick list. (12K)
• Several fields from the multi-part Distributor template. (11K)
• The MDC has several excellent means to specify area covered by a data set.
  • Various selectable text descriptions (15K)
  • Through a user created 7.5' resolution raster representation of the coverage area (15K)
• MDC includes templates for aerial photography and satellite imagery. Those templates include some very detailed information about the photography, which are not present as elements in the CSDGM. (15K)

Sample Output:

• Metadata produced through the MDC metadata collection system can be seen from the Florida Data Directory, http://als.dms.state.fl.us/~fdd/ (URL broken 12/19/2004).
• Output from Contact Template

MITRE Corporation summary of the MDC