1 Can work? askGIraffe Lionel Elliott askGIraffe Manager ISO19115

2 ISO19115 The Standard for metadata The Standard for metadata Contains standards for ‘discovery’ and feature descriptions Contains standards for ‘discovery’ and feature descriptions This presentation concentrates on the use of the standard for data discovery only This presentation concentrates on the use of the standard for data discovery only So So......

3 ISO19115 What geographic information is available in UK?

4 about Why askGIraffe?

5 web-site gateway to UK geospatial information web-site gateway to UK geospatial information information provided by the public and private sector information provided by the public and private sector Two gateways available: Two gateways available: –Data Locator –Data Integrator What is askGIraffe?

6 User Data Provider Metadata BGS Node Metadata IGGI Node Metadata OS Node Metadata NGDF Node Metadata AskGIraffe Data Locator Metadata Z39.50 XML askGIraffe Data Locator

7 Unique features: Unique features: –set up as a simple and attractive service for researchers, from the professional to the citizen –the metadata service is complementary but not exclusive to the askGIraffe service –advanced metadata searches can be selected What does askGIraffe look like? What does askGIraffe look like? askGIraffe Data Locator

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9 The ISO standard enabled metadata services to be specified and commissioned quickly The ISO standard enabled metadata services to be specified and commissioned quickly The services are perceived to be useful The services are perceived to be useful The same metadata collected for one service can be placed on other services The same metadata collected for one service can be placed on other services In UK, see Scotland > UK > International In UK, see Scotland > UK > International ISO a success story!

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13 The time taken to deliver a published standard from conception means that drafts have to be used (business will not wait) The time taken to deliver a published standard from conception means that drafts have to be used (business will not wait) The Standard has come before implementation - practice does present unexpected problems (testbed / open- GIS practice is now minimalising this) The Standard has come before implementation - practice does present unexpected problems (testbed / open- GIS practice is now minimalising this) Using Standards - comments

14 The following comments were supplied by a service manager charged with developing the UK Metadata Service and encourage organisations to supply and maintain metadata records on the service The following comments were supplied by a service manager charged with developing the UK Metadata Service and encourage organisations to supply and maintain metadata records on the service Using Standards - comments

15 Need for clearer documentation on standards which are written at the level of those trying to use the standard. Need for clearer documentation on standards which are written at the level of those trying to use the standard. Standards are ‘shrouded’ in mystery for all but the most technical people and / or those involved in their creation. Standards are ‘shrouded’ in mystery for all but the most technical people and / or those involved in their creation. General lack of interest stimulated from the word ‘Standard’ General lack of interest stimulated from the word ‘Standard’ User friendliness of Standards

16 Difficulty convincing potential Metadata providers of the benefits of contributing Metadata. e.g. no link from supplying Metadata and increased revenue. Difficulty convincing potential Metadata providers of the benefits of contributing Metadata. e.g. no link from supplying Metadata and increased revenue. Difficulty prioritising Metadata collection and maintenance against other government initiatives perceived as being more important Difficulty prioritising Metadata collection and maintenance against other government initiatives perceived as being more important Why askGIraffe Data Locator is not effective (1)

17 Without seeing benefit involved in initial capture, custodians are reluctant to keep Metadata up to date. Without seeing benefit involved in initial capture, custodians are reluctant to keep Metadata up to date. Complex, inconsistent and incompatible tools for the capture of Metadata. Complex, inconsistent and incompatible tools for the capture of Metadata. Confusion amongst different Metadata ‘standards’, e.g. askGIraffe, Dublin Core, FGDC - which is best for what? Confusion amongst different Metadata ‘standards’, e.g. askGIraffe, Dublin Core, FGDC - which is best for what? Why askGIraffe Data Locator is not effective (2)

18 Confusion between various UK and European government Metadata initiatives, e.g e-GIF, Information Asset Register, LeClef, askGIraffe... Confusion between various UK and European government Metadata initiatives, e.g e-GIF, Information Asset Register, LeClef, askGIraffe... Confusion between Metadata and other UK Government initiatives e.g Open.Gov, GovTalk, Government Gateway, UK-Online... Confusion between Metadata and other UK Government initiatives e.g Open.Gov, GovTalk, Government Gateway, UK-Online... Why askGIraffe Data Locator is not effective (3)

19 General lack of interest stimulated from the term ‘Metadata’ General lack of interest stimulated from the term ‘Metadata’ Complex User interface (now resolved in askGIraffe) but still common throughout almost all other similar initiatives. Complex User interface (now resolved in askGIraffe) but still common throughout almost all other similar initiatives. Therefore poor national and international data management strategies affect adversely the implementation of Standards. Therefore poor national and international data management strategies affect adversely the implementation of Standards. Why askGIraffe Data Locator is not effective (4)

20 The service: Contact us:

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