In Lesson 1, you learned how to
download, install, and use mp from the command prompt.
You also learned that mp can generate multiple file types.
Lesson 2 introduced you to the tasks associated
with parsing metadata. Lesson 3 will introduce you to the advanced
functions of mp and how to generate the different file types useful
for distribution schemas.
Now that you are the proud owner of CSDGM
compliant metadata, what do you do with it? As discussed in the Distributing
Metadata section, there are a number of ways to distribute your
record(s).
By now, you will have identified the scope of your metadata
distribution. There are two categories for distributing metadata:
Non-Public
Distribution:
Non-Public distribution implies that you will not make the records
freely available. Internal metadata records may be used for data
identification and audits, and/or performance indicators. Methods
of distribution might include:
Public
Distribution:
Public distribution implies that you
will make the records freely available. Methods of distribution
might include:
With your method of distribution selected, you need to
decide how to present the metadata. Following
the steps below, you will learn how to export your metadata in a number of
different file types that present metadata in specific ways.
BEFORE
YOU BEGIN:
You should be familiar with the following:
Applications:
Data Package:
The metadata record created in Lesson 2 is used as examples in
this lesson. An error free copy of the record "jltreasure.met"
is available below.
[Go To Step 1: Basic
Usage of MP]
Step
1: Basic Usage of MP
As you will recall in Lesson
1, Step 3, mp's basic usage includes the ability to
generate multiple file types.
In order to generate these
files, you must execute mp from the command prompt.
Utilizing the example in Lesson 2,
the metadata record, "jltreasure.met"
is stored in your c:\temp
directory. If it is
not present, follow the instructions presented above: Before
You Begin.
(MP functions displayed at the command prompt)
Generate the file types by
selecting from these steps:
[RETURN TO TOP]
| [STEP 2]
Step
2: TEXT Output
As mentioned in the beginning, your method of data distribution
will determine how you present your metadata. Your
metadata record is always developed in ASCII format. This means
that it is easily displayed using any text editor, regardless of file
extension (like *.met, *.mdt, *.meta etc). However, some distribution
methods (such as the FGDC
Metadata Clearinghouse) require that the *.TXT or *.TEXT file
extension be visible
TEXT output, if requested, follows the
ASCII format that ensures that any program can display its input
without significant loss of information.
(Generating the text output file using mp)
Command to enter from the prompt:
c:\TEMP>mp -t
jltreasure.text jltreasure.met
MP will generate the "jltreasure.text"
file on your c:\temp
directory.
Click jltreasure.text
to view what the text file looks like.
[RETURN TO TOP]
[STEP 3]
(Generating the HTML output file using mp)
Command to enter from the prompt:
c:\TEMP>mp -h
jltreasure.html jltreasure.met
MP will generate the "jltreasure.text"
file on your c:\temp
directory.
Click jltreasure.html
to view what the HTML file looks like.
[RETURN TO TOP] [STEP
4]
(Generating the HTML-FAQ style output file using mp)
This format is not parseable in subsequent software proces
sing. To see how mp writes standard metadata elements in
this output format, consult the
FAQ-style output that mp generated for it.
Command to enter from the prompt:
c:\TEMP>mp -f
jltreasure_FAQ.html jltreasure.met
MP will generate the "jltreasure.text"
file on your c:\temp
directory.
Click jltreasure_faq.html
to view what the FAQ-Style file looks like.
[RETURN TO TOP]
[STEP 5]
(Generating the SGML output file using mp)
Command to enter from the prompt:
c:\TEMP>mp -s
jltreasure.sgml jltreasure.met
MP will generate the "jltreasure.sgml"
file on your c:\temp
directory.
Click jltreasure.sgml
to view what the SGML file looks like.
[RETURN TO TOP] [STEP 6]
XML output
uses the eight-character tags provided in the 1998 version of the CSDGM.
The XML output is designed to work with a Document
Type Definition (DTD).
(Generating the XML output file using mp)
Command to enter from the prompt:
c:\TEMP>mp -x
jltreasure.xml jltreasure.met
MP will generate the "jltreasure.xml"
file on your c:\temp
directory.
[RETURN TO TOP] [STEP 7]
-
Step
7: DIF Output
Directory
Interchange Format (DIF) output
requires some additional editing to correct inconsistencies
between the DIF and FGDC metadata standards. Additionally,
information required by DIF that is not clearly identified in the FGDC
scheme, such as Entry_ID,must be added.
(Generating the DIF output file using mp)
Command to enter from the prompt:
c:\TEMP>mp -x
jltreasure.dif jltreasure.met
MP will generate the "jltreasure.dif"
file on your c:\temp
directory.
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L
A G I C
Louisiana Geographic Information Center |