Don't Let Metadata Get You Down
FOSS4GUK 2019
Jo Cook, Astun Technology
We all know metadata is important but...
It's also, boring, hard and time-consuming
Then just as we all got to grips with Gemini 2.2...
Along comes Gemini 2.3!
But...
What if we could make it easier and quicker?
What if we could automate the boring bits?
What if we could make it actually useful?
🤔
How?
# 1: Hidden features in Geonetwork
Code snippets
Create snippets to use when editing records
Suggestions wizard
Ensure your metadata is good quality and valid
Scripting with the API
Bulk and automated updates
#2: Improvements with Gemini 2.3
Better labelling
Matching labels with the guidance
Editing guidance
Adding explanations for all mandatory elements
CSV Import
Create valid metadata from an excel spreadsheet
"inflate-metadata"
Automatically include missing or deleted elements
#3: Really make metadata fly with additional software
Postgresql audit plugin
Get history of changes to a record, and restore to previous point in time
Zeppelin
Create your own analytics
#4 Coming Soon...
Non-spatial metadata in Geonetwork
Store your non-spatial metadata in the same portal
tl;dr
Utilising "hidden" features in Geonetwork you can ensure your metadata is good quality, and automate updates
Gemini 2.3 will contain some enhancements to make metadata creation easier
With some additional open source software, you can get business value from your metadata
Soon you'll be able to store and publish non-spatial metadata in Geonetwork too!