Sunday, July 30, 2006
Metadata Definition Tweak
I have slightly modified my Re-definition of metadata with one small but important change. Here is the latest:
Metadata – an external description of a distinct data resource. Common usages for metadata include providing the context of the data resource, managing its lifecycle and extending it to new uses. An example of metadata is the external description of an audio file specifying the artist that created it, when it was created, the length or play time, and the genre of music it belongs to. The purpose of metadata is to manage and improve the use of data thereby turning it into a strategic information asset.
The change comes at the end in the purpose statement for metadata. The statement makes an assertion that metadata is critical to transform data into information. I have heard information defined as "data in context". While that is certainly not a complete definition, it makes sense to think of information as a "refinement of data" much in the same way that raw materials get refined into finished products.
Metadata – an external description of a distinct data resource. Common usages for metadata include providing the context of the data resource, managing its lifecycle and extending it to new uses. An example of metadata is the external description of an audio file specifying the artist that created it, when it was created, the length or play time, and the genre of music it belongs to. The purpose of metadata is to manage and improve the use of data thereby turning it into a strategic information asset.
The change comes at the end in the purpose statement for metadata. The statement makes an assertion that metadata is critical to transform data into information. I have heard information defined as "data in context". While that is certainly not a complete definition, it makes sense to think of information as a "refinement of data" much in the same way that raw materials get refined into finished products.
Friday, July 21, 2006
A Call to Arms for Digital Photo Metadata
Embedded Image metadata is hot! This is the second time this week, people have raised this issue to me.
First, Clay Robinson of OSD informed me about a successful pilot he led on searching embedded photo metadata in JPEGs using a Google appliance. His pilot took advantage of metadata defined in the IPTC Core for XMP.
Secondly, I see that the Stock Artists Alliance has just issued a "Metadata Manifesto".
Here is a snippet:
Imagine a world where metadata is ubiquitous. It’s a world where images can be easily located
and identified by anyone, anywhere. Creators can transmit their images to distributors and users,
who instantly integrate these into their systems. Image users can track their digital assets using
fully automated systems. A registry—now in development by the Picture Licensing Universal
System (PLUS)—will link every image to current information about its source and owner.
To realize that future, we propose three guiding principles as our “metadata manifesto.”
First, Clay Robinson of OSD informed me about a successful pilot he led on searching embedded photo metadata in JPEGs using a Google appliance. His pilot took advantage of metadata defined in the IPTC Core for XMP.
Secondly, I see that the Stock Artists Alliance has just issued a "Metadata Manifesto".
Here is a snippet:
Imagine a world where metadata is ubiquitous. It’s a world where images can be easily located
and identified by anyone, anywhere. Creators can transmit their images to distributors and users,
who instantly integrate these into their systems. Image users can track their digital assets using
fully automated systems. A registry—now in development by the Picture Licensing Universal
System (PLUS)—will link every image to current information about its source and owner.
To realize that future, we propose three guiding principles as our “metadata manifesto.”
- Metadata is essential to identify and track digital images.
- Ownership metadata must never be removed.
- Metadata must be written in formats that are understood by all.
The full manifesto can be downloaded here and it is well worth the read.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Realtors, Metadata and gaining Public Consciousness
Hi Everyone,
I was away on vacation last week to beautiful, keystone resort in Dillon, Colorado. Highly recommended vacation spot ... everyday was a new adventure in whitewater rafting, mountain biking, downhill biking, and hiking... Ok, back to metadata.
Spoke with my realtor, Glenn McFeeters, this weekend who works for Coldwell Banker. After discussing my kitchen remodeling, Glenn told me that he was surprised that before he met me he never heard of metadata but now he sees it and hears it mentioned all the time. He said, whatever I was doing, it was definitely working.
Of course, I certainly cannot take credit for this myself. I do agree with him that "metadata" is "crossing the chasm" from early adopters to mainstream acceptance. Part of this is the broader notion of data management now having successfully crossed that chasm as a necessary component of every CIO's responsibility. The management of data and the collection of proper metadata to insure that data is well-managed is now understood as critical to insure data integrity, security and quality.
I encourage all my colleagues to continue educating the public on this. In fact, I closed the conversation with Glenn by stressing the importance of laypeople's understanding of metadata. Because a layperson understanding the benefits of metadata and requesting such from their Information Technology vendors moves markets much faster than technologists preaching to the choir. The boulder is cresting the hill ... one final push should send it careening forward...
I was away on vacation last week to beautiful, keystone resort in Dillon, Colorado. Highly recommended vacation spot ... everyday was a new adventure in whitewater rafting, mountain biking, downhill biking, and hiking... Ok, back to metadata.
Spoke with my realtor, Glenn McFeeters, this weekend who works for Coldwell Banker. After discussing my kitchen remodeling, Glenn told me that he was surprised that before he met me he never heard of metadata but now he sees it and hears it mentioned all the time. He said, whatever I was doing, it was definitely working.
Of course, I certainly cannot take credit for this myself. I do agree with him that "metadata" is "crossing the chasm" from early adopters to mainstream acceptance. Part of this is the broader notion of data management now having successfully crossed that chasm as a necessary component of every CIO's responsibility. The management of data and the collection of proper metadata to insure that data is well-managed is now understood as critical to insure data integrity, security and quality.
I encourage all my colleagues to continue educating the public on this. In fact, I closed the conversation with Glenn by stressing the importance of laypeople's understanding of metadata. Because a layperson understanding the benefits of metadata and requesting such from their Information Technology vendors moves markets much faster than technologists preaching to the choir. The boulder is cresting the hill ... one final push should send it careening forward...
