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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?


Thank you,

National Information Standards Organization (NISO)
Technical Metadata for Digital Still Images Standards Committee
(http://www.niso.org/commitau.html)
Co-Chairs:
Robin Dale (RLG) <[log in to unmask]>
Oya Y. Rieger (Cornell University Library)  <[log in to unmask]>
_____________________________________________
Robin L. Dale
RLG Member Programs & Initiatives
1200 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA  94041-1100

Ph: (650) 691-2238
Fax:  650.964.0943
Email: [log in to unmask]