LSC555 Information Systems Webliography: XML and Metadata

LSC555 Information Systems Webliography: XML and Metadata
by
Jennifer Learned

Metadata Descriptions & Definitions
- Designing Distributed Applications
  A chapter from a larger work describing metadata as it is used in context of XML. Brief, easy to read thoughts on why an understanding of Metadata is important in creating XML documents. The writer references topics in other chapters and it would be helpful to have a direct link to that information instead of clicking through the chapters in chronological order.
- You Call It Corn, We Call It Syntax-Independent Metadata for Document-Like Objects
  An overview describing metadata in the context of the Dublin Core initiative. An informative description of the use of metadata in describing network-accessible information resources written in simplistic terms that could be followed by most interested readers. The site gives a link to a full length report which did not work.
- Digital Libraries: Metadata Resources
  A collection of links to metadata topics meant for any user interested in seeing a wide variety of sources on this topic. There is a long list of links broken down into a number of different categories which link to the corresponding resources. The organization is minimal other than the previously mentioned categories and there does not seem to be any standards in presenting the information.
- Metadata: An Overview
  Describes the basics of metadata using the contexts of the Warwick Framework and the Dublin Core Initiative. This article is well written and informative by a scholar with a library science degree; it contains examples and links to additional information. Other than the fact that the article was last updated in 1997 I cannot find any problems with providing even a beginning user with this resource.
- Metadata Encoding & Transmission Standard (METS)
  A standard for “encoding descriptive, administrative, and structural metadata regarding objects within a digital library” using XML. This website is clearly broken down into easily browsed categories and subcategories ranging from announcements and upcoming events to example documents and a listserv. Lack of extensive descriptions on the links requires the user to have some previous knowledge of the subject.
- Metadata for the Masses
  The author introduces metadata as it is applied to Dublin Core and also explains further implementations of the data and possible future advances. The article is broken down into subtopics with links and ends with a selection of links and a bibliography. Unfortunately, some of the links do not work or are not very helpful.
- The Meta-Information Environment of Digital Libraries
  This article addresses the use of metadata in digital libraries and explores how this data can help to find resources for the user without the help of an intermediary such as a librarian. The article is clearly and simply written with direct links to each subtopic’s text. There are no links to further information beyond the few digital references at the end of the article.
- Metadata: Enabling the Internet
  Review of popular Internet metadata systems and discussion of issues preventing the move toward the support of electronic metadata. A good overview with a listing of the uses of metadata. Knowing the currency of this article is important in deciding how valuable the information is.
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XML Descriptions & Definitions
- Metadata for the Rest of Us
  An interview with Tim Bray, one of the creators of XML, giving the background on the W3C group who came up with the XML Specifications. The interview is a short, easy to read piece that gives some of the thoughts as to why XML was considered, “the next step” in markup languages. The end of the article indicated that there is more information on the subject but does not indicate how to access that information.
- All the XML Books in Print
  A listing of monographs on XML topics put together by one of the creators of IBM’s Generalized Markup Language. The listing includes a linked category list of topics, recommendations, thumbnails of the book covers, author name and a short description of the source and is easily used by anyone looking for XML resources. The list is probably not comprehensive and most of the recommended books were edited by the list’s author.
- Understanding XML
  This website gives an overview of XML, its history and uses and assumes some previous understanding of the language. The sites layout is nicely structured with links to the main information areas. It would be nice to see this site extended to a more complete overview of XML.
- The XML FAQ
  This FAQ touts itself as being, “a first resource for users, developers, and the interested reader”. It is well laid out in the normal style of a FAQ with links to answers to a list of questions as well as notes on recent updates. The most regrettable thing about this site is the fact that it has not been updated in over a year.
- What is XML and Why Should Humanists Care?
  A short discussion on why XML is superior to both HTML and SGML in distributing resources on the Web. The writing is clear and simple and the author gives visual examples of his topics. The site is text only and does not offer any links or further information on the topic.
- What is…RDF?
  This article defines Resource Description Framework and its uses in XML encoding. The article is informative and lists links to references and further resources. The article explains that the information in the article will most likely quickly become obsolete as further advancements are made.
- Oasis Industry Site for XML Information
  This informational site lists many resources for XML users and advocates with links to different focus areas, news links, and other information. Comprehensive information from “XML for the Absolute Beginner” to a registry-only access to upload new schemas. The amount of information listed here may be overwhelming to the beginner but the site navigation eliminates a lot of unnecessary wandering.
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XML Specifications
- Extensible Markup Language (XML) 1.0 - W3C Recommendation 10-February-1998
  An XML specifications document written by W3C participants. This document is set up in an easily viewable outline form with links to different topics as well as a link to the most recently updated version and also includes explanatory notes in a split window but it assumes previous knowledge of XML. This document would be further enhanced by the addition of either a topic or keyword search.
- Building the Annotated XML Specification
  This article describes the creation of the XML 1.0 specifications document. It is a good short description of how the specifications document was created and offers an illustration about how the document is kept up-to-date. The second half of the article is mostly coding examples and even warns the reader that it is hard to follow if the user is not a Java programmer.
- XML Metadata Interchange (XMI)
  This site allows the user to download the most current versions of XMI specifications which allows for the sharing of objects written in XML. The specifications are downloaded as PDF files with an index and reference sheet. The site does not list instructions for downloading the information and the user should have some background in XML to be able to use this information.
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Metadata & XML - Current Topics
- The Value of Metadata
  An informational page about metadata for geospatial data for those working with such information. Though composed for a specific group, this page gives some common examples of metadata and clearly explains the importance of its usage. The page would be more useful if it contained links to other resources for further information collecting.
- XML and the Resource Description Framework: The Great Web Hope
  This article explains how XML and Metadata may help to improve internet search engine results, describes the negative reactions of commercial search engines to Metadata and introduces the concepts of Digital Signatures and Resource Description Frameworks. The article is clear and concise in describing the problems Metadata has had in being accepted in the commercial world and the first half could be followed by anyone with an active interest in the subject. As the author moves onto other topics such as RDFs, the article becomes much more technical and it would have been helpful to have web links to a glossary or example page.
- MetaNet - A Metadata Term Thesaurus to Enable Semantic Interoperability Between Metadata Domains
  The article describes the Harmony International Digital Library Project’s development of the ABC Model to allow metadata to be utilized across different domains and in describing different media and describes the possibilities for its use. The Definition of Terms section was very helpful to refer back to in reading this advanced article. The article would have benefited from having the Definition of Terms extended even further to provide more background on the different models and schemas referenced.
- Cover Pages
  Articles, press releases, current hot topics on XML and other reference sources covering XML and SGML markup languages made for the user with some previous knowledge of these languages. There is a great abundance of information here ranging from articles to newsletters to websites. The information is unfortunately presented as a couple of very long lists under a few subject headings for which a search field seems to be the only hope for finding the information you require.
- Metadata for Preservation
  A review of metadata formats and initiatives as it relates to digital preservation. Speaks briefly to a wide variety of subjects and formats relating them all back to issues in preservations. Would be good to see what advances have been made on this topic since 1998.
- In the Company of Strangers: Challenges and Opportunities in Metadata Implementation
  This article presents the problems and situations encountered in using Metadata to implement a state-wide digital library in Australia. An engaging topic with a number of linked resources in the reference list. The treatment seemed to be too brief, however.
- Mapping Entry Vocabulary to Unfamiliar Metadata Vocabularies
  This article describes a project at the University of California, Berkeley focusing on the design and development of English language indexes to metadata vocabularies. Links to a full website on the Metadata Research Program at Berkeley, lots of information and some links in the reference section. The article is more technical and is geared to the reader with more background experience.
- Examining XML
  Examines the current value of XML from a business and technical standpoint. Article is short but presents good reasons for the importance of XML. Because of the nature of the publication, the article’s context and orientation is oriented towards the Filemaker developer and user.
- Looking at the Web through XML glasses
  Describes the World Wide Web Wrapper Factory (W4F), a Java toolkit that extracts information from HTML Webpages and maps the data to XML documents. The article is in a .pdf file but does not have content links. It is reasonably easy to follow in the beginning of the article but moves to move technical language as the tool is explained in more detail.
- XML Going Wireless
  Examines the uses of XML and Java’s J2ME in mobile devices. The article is easy to read and informative but the graphics heavy .pdf is slow and burdensome to navigate through.
- Lore: A Database Management System for XML
  Explains the creation and use of Lore, a database management system designed specifically for XML. The article is meant for those with at least some background or interest in XML and has links to coding examples. The site would be improved with informational links and a better layout for its references and related sources section.
- Inventory of Metadata for Multimedia
  An article describing, “current standards, emerging standards, and some products serving as examples of current implementations in the area of metadata for multimedia”. Well thought-out site broken down in to logical subtopics with real world examples. The text seems to be translated from German and there are still some German phrases with can make navigation a little difficult.
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Please send comments to Jennifer Learned
Last Updated April 13, 2004