NGDF Metadata Gateway

Architecture V1.1

1. NGDF based
   1.1 NGDF Metadata Collection Tool
   NGDF has commissioned the development of a simple metadata collection tool to promote the use of the NGDF Discovery Metadata Guidelines. The system works with Microsoft Access 97 and can be requested by emailing NGDF metadata@ngdf.org.uk
   
   1.2 ESRI
   ESRI have developed a web based metadata entry system for use with the NGDF Metadata Service.
   
   1.3 EOS
   EOS have developed a web based metadata entry system for use with the NGDF Metadata Service.
   
   
2. FGDC Based
   2.1 CNS/MP/XTME
   USGS have written low-level data collection tools (XTME) and a parser application (MP) to validate FGDC-compliant and optionally create HTML and SGML. A third application (CNS) converts nominally FGDC-compliant metadata records into a format suitable for the MP application. The source code with executables for UNIX (DG/UX, HP/UX, and Linux) and MS-DOS are available from http://geology.usgs.gov/tools/metadata/
   
   2.2 MetaLite
   Free software distributed by USGS ( http://edcnts2.cr.usgs.gov/metalite ). Application is designed to run on Windows platform and VB code is provided to customise or port to other platforms. System is a single user tool that provides a simple method to collect and maintain metadata and create FGDC compliant output (SGML, HTML and text) using the USGS MP application.
   
   2.3 NOAA ArcView Metadata Collector
   The ArcView® Metadata Collector is a software application, developed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( http://www.csc.noaa.gov ), for use with ArcView. The tool enables the creation of FGDC compliant metadata for most data types supported by ArcView. The tool extracts information such as bounding co-ordinates, spatial data organisation and attribute information. The tool allows users to store information as .dbf and text (.txt) files and an option of generating an INFO file that will become part of that coverage.
   
   2.4 CorpsMet
   Free software distributed by U.S. Army Topographic Engineering Center ( http://corpsgeo1.usace.army.mil ). The application is designed to run on Windows platform as a single user tool that provides a simple method to collect and maintain metadata and create FGDC compliant HTML output.
   
   2.5 Blue Angel Metastar and MetaDoor
   Commercial application from Blue Angel technologies ( http://www.blueangeltech.com ) that provides a complete metadata management system that can be obtained as components or as a complete system from metadata collection to the provision of a Z39.50 gateway. Applications are designed for various platforms and technologies (i.e. Oracle, Access and Excel for local or distributed web based operations).
   
   2.6 Compusult
   A commercial application, developed in Canada, which can manages large quantities of metadata in a relational database (Access, SQLServer, or Oracle) and includes an FGDC-compliant Z39.50 server ( http://www.compusult.nf.ca ).
   
   2.7 Enabletech SMMS
   Commercial application distributed by Enabletech Technologies ( http://www.enabletech.com ). Product is Windows based and can be run as a single user or distributed system. Application can link to an Access or SQL Server database, can link metadata to a number of GI data file formats (ESRI shape files or coverages, Geomedia files and a number of raster image formats) and creates FGDC compliant output (SGML, HTML and text). The system is being redeveloped to enable the database to act as a Z39.50 directory service.
   
   2.8 ESRI
   Application designed to collect metadata within the Arc/Info environment. Originally supplied as an AML application (document.aml), ESRI are developing an improved metadata application as part of the ArcCatalog module of ArcInfo 8 to be released later this year ( http://www.esri.com ).
   
   
3. ANZLIC based
   3.1 MET
   A freeware application developed specifically for use with the Australian and New Zealand Land Information Council (ANZLIC) Metadata Standard. Application can be downloaded ( http://www.anzlic.org.au/metagrp.htm ) and user needs to email ANZLIC for a copy of the underlying database. Provides ANZLIC compliant XML output. While the tool is neither NGDF nor FGDC compliant, the output may be translated for use within the NGDF Gateway service.