USGS GIS 2004

Hands-on metadata

Basic resources

• Metadata in plain language
• Formal metadata information and tools
• NPS Metadata tools for ArcGIS 8
• Reviews of metadata tools by Hugh Phillips
• Online metadata validation service

Setting up

• Executable software is in C:\USGS\tools\bin
• Open a command prompt window (Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt)
• Add C:\USGS\tools\bin to your PATH:
  C:\> PATH C:\USGS\tools\bin;%PATH%
  If you put %PATH% first, then the system will find the older version of mp distributed with ArcGIS and use that instead.
• Now you can use cd to change directories, and you can still run the software.

Simple examples

one

• mp one.txt -e one.err.txt -x one.xml -h one.html
• Format: indented text
• Content: one element, a name
• Can run mp to produce XML, HTML
• Error report cites missing elements

two

• mp two.txt -e two.err.txt -x two.xml -h two.html -f two.faq.html
• Format: indented text
• Content: bibliographic citation, hypertext link, contact
• Can now show FAQ-style HTML as well

three

• mp three.txt -e three.err.txt -x three.xml -h three.html -f three.faq.html
• err2html three.err.txt -o three.err.html
• Format: indented text
• Content: some errors
• Using err2html, original error report can be re-expressed in HTML

four.cfg

• mp -c four.cfg four.txt
• err2html -c four.cfg four.err
• Config file directives specify templates for output files
• This makes the command line easier to type

Makefile

• make
• List files to be processed on line beginning all:
• Updates only files you have changed

Fun with Tkme

Basic operation

• Create shortcut
• Windows and menus, help and tips
• Moving about in the record
• Inserting elements
• Collapsing and expanding the tree
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Context menus

Cutting and pasting

• Sections of metadata
• Blocks of text

Snippets

• Saving a snippet
• Recalling a snippet
• Deleting a snippet

Tricks

• Navigating using the output window
• Extensions and profiles
• Editing ArcCatalog metadata

Practical examples and problems

Surficial geologic map of parts of the Misheguk Mountain and Baird Mountains quadrangles, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska

• Text format, generally well written.
• Format_Name nonsensical, Format_Version_Date likewise.
• Network_Resource_Name not specific.
• No Source_Information--is it all new mapping?
• No Browse_Graphic.

Preliminary geologic map of the Perris 7.5' quadrangle, Riverside County, California

• Text format, generally well written.
• Unknown element Latitude_of_True_Scale in Polyconic should be deleted; value matches Latitude_of_Projection_Origin.
• Lacks specific distribution information.
• Funky Online_Linkage, Issue_Identification in Citation.
• Needs blank lines separating paragraphs in some text fields (Abstract, Attribute_Accuracy_Report, Entity_and_Attribute_Overview, Distribution_Liability).
• Currentness_Reference hard to understand.
• No Source_Information, but Cross_Reference appears to be a precursor work by the same author.

Map and digital database of sedimentary basins and indications of petroleum in the Central Alaska Province

• Faults
• Sedimentary basins
• Generally well written, good level of detail.
• Text format, saved as text from HTML page in browser, so requires cleanup.
• Created using ArcCatalog (text REQUIRED left over in Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus and Metadata_Contact).
• Contains references to local hard disks and LAN systems.
• Incorrect date format in Publication_Date.
• No Series_Information, Publication_Information, or Larger_Work_Citation in Citation.
• Strange keywords chosen.
• ESRI attributes documented.
• Information in Resource_Description should be part of Digital_Transfer_Information.
• Standard_Order_Process essentially empty.
• Metadata_Review_Date in the past.
• Contains Security_Information, Hours_of_Service, Metadata_Security_Information.

Atlas of natural hazards in the Hawaiian coastal zone

• Geologic attributes of the coastal zone of Hawaii, Hawaii
• Generally informative, not badly written.
• Text format.
• Title is file name; Abstract contains title. Supplemental_Information could be used to create Abstract.
• Place_Keyword elements include other islands, but this is for Hawaii only.
• Completeness_Report and Positional_Accuracy are meaningless.
• Distance_and_Bearing_Representation does not apply to shapefiles.
• Codeset_Name used where Enumerated_Domain_Value should have been.
• Overview_Description perfunctory, not needed.
• No Standard_Order_Process, no download information.
• Note that the shapefile cannot be read by ArcExplorer due to punctuation in field names.

Digital geologic map of Loudoun County, Virginia

• LOUD_META.TXT
• Citation incomplete
• Indentation problem within Supplemental_Information
• Time_Period_of_Content makes no sense
• Metadata_Reference_Information out of order
• Essentially no Data_Quality_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Overview just tells you to look in other files, especially one Geol_db.txt, which is neither on the web site nor in the .zip files.
• Distribution_Information incomplete

Digital geologic map of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

• (sigh)

Using NPS metadata tools with ArcGIS 8

George Lienkaemper will discuss this