[Freegis-list] Clearinghouse

[John Reid]

Hi Alexander,

I'm currently looking at setting up a demo dataset using freely 
available datasets for my local area, concentrating initially on storage 
of data catalogues and metadata.  I have some idea what software 
projects (available or under development) might be suitable for 
implementation of a Clearinghouse.  Which ones would be most suitable 
really depends on what aspects of a clearinghouse you are interested in. 
 Have you had an interest in clearinghouses for a while, or is it a 
recent development?

Just as important (or more !!!) is probably the issue of standards.... 
 Does your geodatabase follow any standard data schemas?  I have been 
concentrating on the ISO draft standards (DIS 19109 - Rules for 
Application Schema, DIS 19110 - Methodology for Feature Cataloguing, and 
DIS 19115 - Metadata).  Schema for the catalogues shouldn't be too hard 
to implement with PostGIS.  Metadata is going to be a bit more fun..... 
 There are also draft Informix DDL statements for "a relational 
implementation of the Metadata Standard" (FGDC?) available at 
http://www.fgdc.gov/clearinghouse/reference/blmsql.html.

As a by-product from my experiences with setting up this demo, I was 
thinking that trying to develop a case study using open source software 
might make a nice addition for the GSDI cookbook (http://www.gsdi.org/). 
 Just an idea....  Maybe we should take discussion off list and report 
back.  Unless anyone else has a particular interest in this area?

cheers,
John

Jan-Oliver Wagner wrote:

>Hi Alexander,
>
>On Tue, Mar 26, 2002 at 08:17:09AM +0100, Alexander Pucher wrote:
>
>>I'm recently planning to set up an geodata clearinghouse using free 
>>software. Right now, all data is stored in an ArcGIS personal 
>>geodatabase. I've searched the web and found some stuff from the FGDC 
>>(mainly the Isite package).
>>
>
>the concept of a Clearinghouse does not really require special
>Clearinghouse software. A set of general tools will do the
>job quite efficiently as well (clearinghouse packages are
>more or less nothing else than a collection of some standard
>tools).
>
>To my knowledge noone compiled a Clearinghouse package out
>of Free Software packages.
>
>If you start with a requirements document for you clearinghouse,
>some recommendations for Free Software applications will be much easier.
>There are some interesting Free GIS Software tools that Imo
>can be assembled to set up several flavours of GIS Clearinghouses.
>
>Best
>
>	Jan
>


-- 
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john reid                                     e-mail jgreid at uow.edu.au
        
uproot your questions from their ground and the dangling roots will be
seen.  more questions!
                                                       -mentat zensufi

apply standard disclaimers as desired...
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