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Creating and adding Metadata

Metadata can be created in a number of ways, using templates (form-based or other), third-party software, or having a third-party content management system incorporate metadata creation into its document publishing process. The solution appropriate to each organisation will depend on a number of variables, such as editing tools currently used, the publishing process and the resources (human and other) currently engaged, amount of content generated, and individual preferences.

Current day content management solutions offer the best prospect of integrating the whole process, and organisations thinking of, or in the midst of, reviewing their web publishing processes should take the opportunity to factor in the creation of IPSMS-compliant metadata into any proposed solution. Specifications sent to third-party vendors should include IPSMS-compliance as a requirement.

Form-based template

This online template allows you to create IPSMS-compliant metadata by simply inputting data into the relevant fields. Once input, click the 'Generate Data' button and follow the instruction to copy and paste the output into the <HEAD> of the web document.

A simple text-based template

[See a ready-made template]

The attached template is a simple means of creating and inserting metadata. The procedure is simple and straightforward and can be used by all. The procedure is as follows;

  1. Copy the blank template to a location from where you can access it with ease. Remember, it is always available at this site in any event.
  2. You may be able to insert default values in your template for the following elements: Creator, Publisher, Format, Language, Rights.
  3. When creating a metadata record, copy your template. The copy is where you will input the information.
  4. Double check that any default values are correct for the document being described.
  5. Input the remaining information between the inverted commas following the content label (content="").
  6. Do not delete any elements not being used. Leave the inverted commas (content="") empty. These elements may came into use with some future modification of the record. Empty elements are simply ignored by the search engine.
  7. Likewise, do not delete any comment tags. They are there to guide you.
  8. Cut and paste the completed metadata record into the <HEAD> of the document after the meta <TITLE>.
  9. Check that the completed metadata record has been copied and pasted in its entirety.
  10. Finally, upload the document to the server
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