MetaGenie Goes Live!

"We were eagerly awaiting release of the MetaGenie tool at Elmbridge. We had certain requirements for the tool in that it had to be freely available, non-proprietary and be compliant with e-gif interoperability standards. We are pleased that the tool is based around an XML schema for data storage because this has meant that Cadcorp, our GIS systems supplier, has been able to analyse the schema easily and is now writing tools to enable us to easily export system data such as spatial extents to the MetaGenie database. With respect to enabling staff and members of the public to get access to 'discovery metadata', we shall simply point them at the GIgateway® web site. This means that we don't have to set up any complex internal systems to serve metadata across our intranet to members of staff, they will simply look at the same web site as members of the public. It's also important for us that there will be a seamless transition from the elements contained in the current NGDF standard to the new ISO standard when it is ratified."

James Rutter, E-government Development Manager, Planning and Environmental Policy - Elmbridge Borough Council

 

For more information on MetaGenie and to download your copy, please click here. For information about the current GIgateway Specifications® and the forthcoming ISO 19115 standard, please click here.

This is the first in a series of monthly hints and tips aimed at MetaGenie users; these will cover aspects of the tool not covered directly in the user guide. This month we answer the question - Is there is an easy way to create a series of records with very similar details (for example identical data supplier) without re-typing the information for every record?

The easy way to do this is to save a template record containing just supplier information. For each new record, open the template, add all the additional information, and use the 'save as…' function to create a new record.

If anyone has their own hints and tips that they would like to share with other MetaGenie users then please send an email to info@gigateway.org.uk.

The GeoInformation Group submitted the successful proposal for a UK wide program of education in the value and creation of metadata, on behalf of GIgateway®. Their proposal defines a national training programme to promote awareness and encourage good practice in the collection of metadata. Comprised of half day seminars aimed at all organisations that are involved in the creation and use of geographic information, the programme will include the specifics of standards based metadata and a tutorial on the use of MetaGenie. Additionally there will be lunch time seminars, aimed at senior managers, which will discuss the notion of metadata and why it is essential within the geospatial world.

Even as we speak, venues are being booked and arrangements are being made for these seminars. The first will be delivered during May. Look out for more information very soon. To register your interest in this training initiative, please email Louise.

On 13 April, the team will welcome Theresa Stabb, our new Information Services Assistant. Working part time with us, Theresa will be responsible for assisting in the re-development of GIgateway®’s Data Directory and in the enormous task of editing the many currently invalid metadata records. A student at Birkbeck College, UCL, Theresa is pursuing a Masters degree in Philosophy.

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GIgateway - Association for Geographic Information - Block C, 4th Floor - Morelands
5-23 Old Street – London - EC1V 9HL
Tel: 020 7253 5211 / Fax: 020 7251 4505 / info@gigateway.org.uk