Traditional Metadata

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Traditional Metadata
National Hydro Network, Natural Resources Canada
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Traditional Metadata
National Road Network, Natural Resources Canada
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This is a great way to share information...
...with a one key disadvantage

• It's all text!
• Language as a barrier
• How many would classify a typical in-depth
  metadata file as an easy read?
• Slows data acquisition by the user due to
  typically convoluted nature of text, extensive
  use of elaborate terminology.
• But it is (or can be) in depth.

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Enter mdparse

• Parses traditional text-based metadata, and
  outputs a visually rich interpretation of the
  data.

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Enter mdparse (Contin'd)?

• Software developed as part of my undergraduate
  research thesis with the University of Ottawa.
• Built on Wapache framework. Windows 2k/XP/Vista
  compatible, but could be ported to nix or even a
  web platform.
• Currently supports the FGDC standard, and
  extensible to support further different formats..

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Enough chatting let's see this thing in action!
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mdparse in action...
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mdparse in action...
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mdparse in action...
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This is what the file looks like...
National Road Network, Natural Resources Canada
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mdparse in action... (Contin'd)
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mdparse in action... (Contin'd)
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mdparse in action... (Contin'd)
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Important What this is not...

• Not a substitute for traditional text-based
  metadata.
• It is an alternative way to present the data to
  the end-user.

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Pictograph Library

• Two types of images
• Static images, part of a pre-defined repository
  of graphics.
• Dynamic images, generated by mdparse on the fly.
  The gd library, commonly seen on web servers, is
  used as the rendering engine to make this happen.

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Pictograph Library
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Pictograph Library
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Positives for this Technology

• Quick and painless way to assess characteristics
  of geospatial data without having to delve into
  metadata minutia.
• Based on high-level scripting languages
  traditionally seen in web development. PHP for
  data processing, HTML/CSS for looks. Easily
  extensible, and highly portable to a web platform.

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Limitations

• Parses basic information set.
• Limited static graphic repository. Dynamic images
  not affected by this pool, and fall-backs do
  exist. Unknowns are displayed as such.
• Caters to the GeoBase variant of FGDC standard.

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Future Expansions

• Support for additional metadata standards
  automatic detection of metadata file format.
• Inclusion of different graphic repository sets.
  Adoption of military icons or other recognized
  pictographic standard.

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Thank you!

• Download mdparse here
• http//www.jmcardle.com/mdparse.exe
• QUESTIONS?