Creating Metadata with Software

Software choices

Metavist
- Free; requires Microsoft Windows. Version 1.6 or Metavist 2005 (December 2007)
- Can choose between .Net versions 1.1 and 2.0 (.zip)
NPS Metadata Tools and Editor (version 1.1)
- Published by the National Park Service and the US Department of the Interior
- Reads and writes FGDC XML-compatible files
- It will produce several warnings when passed through the USGS metadata parser (mp)
- Note: This tool supports only a subset of FGDC metadata attributes.

Software notes

Both programs now support import of Taxonimic information via ITIS. However, you may use whatever program you like (e.g. ArcCatalog) to edit the XML metadata template as long as the resultant XML document conforms to FGDC metadata standards and is parseable by the metadata parser mentioned below.

XML is an ASCII or text file. Do not use editors that save files in proprietary formats (Microsoft Word, Wordpad, etc) unless you know how to export it back out as ASCII or text. If you are editing the FGDC metadata file by hand, you might need to look at the FDGC standard for proper placement of XML elements.

The frequently asked questions (FAQ) are automatically generated using the metadata parser (mp) from the USGS FGDC metadata toolbox. The XML metadata records you submit are processed into various other supporting documents. BSIERP data managers will make additional modifications to the metadata record so that datasets will be integrated into the Alaska Marine Information System (AMIS).

Validating metadata

XML Well-Formedness Validation Service: Checks to see if the XML is properly formed. If you are planning to edit XML files manually outside a FGDC metadata editor, you can use this tool to make sure the XML itself is valid.
FGDC XML Metadata Validation Service: Checks finished, valid XML documents. Data Management will use additional software to produce human-readable documents and to validate content of the metadata record. Data Management may also request additional changes, which will be documented on this website.