diglib: [AN2:226] AN2 vol. 21, no. 4 (fwd)

[Carol Hixson <chixson@OREGON.UOREGON.EDU>]

Taken from the latest ALCTS Network News. It might be of interest.

Carol
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NISO NEEDS YOUR INPUT!

Technical metadata, which describes various aspects of image characteristics 
and the capture process, is increasingly being perceived as an essential 
component of any digitization initiative.  This category of metadata is not 
only required to support image quality assessment and image enhancement and 
processing, but is also seen as crucial for long-term collection management 
to ensure the longevity of digital collections.  The goal of the NISO 
Technical Metadata for Digital Still Images Standards initiative is to 
develop a generalized technical metadata standard applicable to all images 
regardless of their method of creation.  The charge of the Committee is to 
review and revise the "Data Dictionary for Technical Metadata for Digital 
Still Images" (http://www.niso.org/pdfs/DataDict.pdf), which presents a 
comprehensive list of technical data elements required to manage digital 
image collections. We would like to invite comments from our colleagues 
involved in various aspects of imaging to ensure that the draft
dictionary is comprehensive and inclusive, representing various perspectives. 
The ultimate goal of the standard is to facilitate the development of 
applications to validate, process, manage, and migrate images of enduring 
value.

We are particularly interested in getting your feedback on the following issues:

a) Does the draft dictionary include all the data fields that are necessary
  - to achieve the goals of technical metadata?
  - Document image provenance and history
  - Ensure that image data will be rendered accurately on output (e.g.,
    displayed on screen, printed to paper or film, etc.)
  - Support the ongoing management of image files (e.g., processing, 
    refreshing, or migration)
  - Assess the aesthetic value of a given image

b) Is it successful in describing quality attributes such as detail, color, 
   tone, and file size?  What else would you recommend adding?

c) Of the elements present, do you have suggestions for changes within the 
   definitions?  Do any definitions need to be expanded?  Do you agree with a 
   structure where some elements are "required" and others are "optional" or 
   "recommended"?  Should certain elements be repeatable?

d) Put yourself in the position of a user of this data dictionary.  What 
   would you do to make it more usable for you (or your staff)?

e) Does this initiative relate well to other similar ones such as DIG or 
   GDI+?  Do you know of other related initiatives?
 - DIG35: http://www.digitalimaging.org
 - GDI+: http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/display/GDIplus_Metadata.htm

f) Do you have any other comments?

NISO Technical Metadata for Digital Still Images Standards Committee, Co-Chairs:  Robin Dale Robin_Dale@notes.rlg.org and Oya Y. Rieger oyr1@cornell.edu.

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