November 5, 1999

As in previous years, the metadata committee members seem to be very busy in there own offices. People seem to be making short stabs into the metadata beast from time to time through out the year. The overwhelming report from many of you is that you’re waiting for new tools to help make metadata collection easier.

Lily Wai, INSIDE Idaho Project Director, University of Idaho
"The INSIDE Idaho Geodata website will provide full Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) compliant metadata for every database available for view and download from the site. INSIDE Idaho project staff are using Spatial Metadata Management System (SMMS) from Enabling Technology to compile metadata records for geodata that do not come with metadata, and to revise existing incomplete metadata records. Data users who access the site will be able to read or download the metadata. The site can also be used as the data store for a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Clearinghouse Node. The NSDI node will allow data users around the world to search the INSIDE Idaho data collection with spatial and temporal queries as part of a federated system of spatial data search engines. In addition to the original grant for the project, UI was able to secure a 1999 FGDC "Don't Duck Metadata Program" grant to hire additional student assistants to do the metadata work for the INSIDE Idaho project."  For more information please see the web site at:  http://inside.uidaho.edu/

Bruce Eggleston, City of Boise
What is the City of Boise doing with metadata? The City of Boise is still in the consideration stage of choosing a metadata medium and product. It was decided to wait to see what ESRI produces with the next release of Arc/Info. We have discussed the issue but have no specific plans for acquisition of a product.

Diane McConnaughey, Boise National Forest
We are working harder on metadata, and have even hired someone to work on it specifically. We have been using DOCUMENT AML for several years, and sometimes use readme type files for directories such as DOQs, Topolines, DRGs etc. Much of our data is documented, and much is not. Sandy is starting to track down which data sets do not have metadata, as well as reviewing metadata for completeness. In the near future we plan on making data available on the "Inside Idaho" website. We've downloaded a demo copy of the Enabling Technology and will be exploring that as an option for metadata.

Frank Roberts, GIS Manager Coeur d'Alene Tribe:
Earlier this year the Tribe applied for the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s (FGDC) "Don’t Duck Metadata" grants. We were very excited when we found out that we received full funding for the grant. This grant will alow us to have the funding to update our existing metadata capturing tool, and create FGDC compliant metadata for most of our GIS information. Once we have finished work on the tool we plan to make it available on our web site ( http://www.geocities.com/frank_m_roberts/metadatatool.html ).

The Tribe was also allowed to become a beta site for ArcInfo 8, and we will be one of the few sites actually going over the metadata portion of Arc 8 with a fine tooth comb.

Hall Guttormsen:
All of the data that NACo/Intergraph produces and gives to the counties that choose to participate includes a very complete metadata set, both in text and online format. All of the online is linked so the metadata is available while viewing the data sets. GeoMedia and GeoMedia Professional. All of the data sets that IDS produces has metadata available to the participating counties also.

Linda Davis, Idaho Water Resources
We have been using fgdcmeta, but I am looking at the newest version of metalite. We haven't done much with metadata except for slowly going through our coverages and creating metadata. I am hoping that when the new statewide GIS coordinator is hired that he/she will be useful promoting metadata use and creation within state agencies.

Madeline Binkley, Enabling Technology, Inc.
An organization’s GIS data accounts for approximately 70% of their operating budget per year. However, storage and knowledge of data location is insufficient at most GIS operations. The organizational use of metadata is important to support successful GIS activity and Internet mapping applications. Metadata creation is often viewed as a burden, but a properly organized data management system will save time and money while increasing organizational efficiency.

The most complete GIS data management solution available is the new SMMS 3oh! from RTS – Enabling Technology. SMMS 3oh! answers GIS professional's needs to document, review and manage their Geodata holdings. SMMS 3oh! combines the most advanced FGDC metadata editor available with an innovative data/meta-data search and analysis tool that improves the quality and speed of GIS work.

SMMS 3oh! allows you to use metadata for its intended purpose – to quickly locate and evaluate geodata. SMMS 3oh! has revolutionized the review of multiple datasets by allowing you to see data, metadata, and dataset location in one software application. The SMMS 3oh! editor reduces creation time by 60%. Help files with metadata examples, speed fill, automated metadata capture from major GIS data formats and templates minimize the creation process. The process of creating FGDC compliant metadata now takes minutes, not hours.

If you are interested in learning more about SMMS 3oh! or obtaining a trial copy visit the RTS – Enabling Technology website at http://www.enabletech.com or contact Madeline Binkley at (425)793-6261.

http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/toollist/ogrip/met98ful.html

http://badger.state.wi.us/agencies/wlib/sco/metatool/mtools.htm

Coeur 'd Alene Tribe Metadata tool:
http://www.geocities.com/frank_m_roberts/metadatatool.html 

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC):
http://www.fgdc.gov

FGDC Content Standard for Digital
Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM)
http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/contstan.html

An Image Map of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
http://www.its.nbs.gov/fgdc.metadata/version2/

FGDC Clearinghouse
http://www.fgdc.gov/clearinghouse/clearinghouse.html

Arc Info 8 Metadata capabilities:
http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/summer99articles/ai8special/ai8_metadata.html
ESRI Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata: http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html 

BLM Geospatial Support Staff Metadata Tutorial
http://www.blm.gov/gis/meta/barney/tut_met1.html

Metadata in plain language. By USGS
http://geology.usgs.gov/tools//metadata/tools/doc/ctc/

State of Idaho Metadata Standard 
Version 4.0 in HTML: http://www.idwr.state.id.us/IGIAC/metadata/profile.htm
Version 4.0 in PDF: http://www.users.dmi.com/froberts/metadata/Meta40.pdf
Version 3.0 in PDF: http://www.users.dmi.com/froberts/metadata/META30.pdf
 

Email Frank Roberts by clicking on the letter/mailbox:
 

Page last updated:  2/16/2000