Metadata management
Internet distribution of data has increased the importance of metadata. Data custodians are able to release a data set to the entire world for download without any personal interaction. The metadata record of a geospatial data set can follow it to help ensure the integrity and accountability for that data is maintained. Properly formatted metadata also allows for automated cataloguing, search indexing, and integration of data sets. Metadata has become so important that a common mantra within the geospatial community is "Data without metadata isn't data", meaning that a geospatial data set cannot be fully utilized and understood without metadata. The following section will list some of the common metadata tools which are available.
GeoNetwork
GeoNetwork is an open source, Java-based catalog server to manage geospatial data. It includes a metadata editor and search engine, as well as an interactive web map viewer. The system is designed to connect spatial...
