I agree that it really depends on what is needed. For example, how many
images are there, what kind of capabilities do you need (e.g. metadata
fields, searching, batch processing, workflows)?

If your needs are simple enough, there's no particular reason why you
couldn't just use the regular filesystem, edit the metadata in the image
properties, and using search built right into your computer to locate
images. If that directory is synced with a cloud system such as Dropbox,
Google Drive, OneDrive, specially configured S3 bucket, etc, you can even
have versioning built right in. But if there's any sophistication to your
workflow and metadata, you'll probably want something that's a bit more
robust.

If your needs are lightweight, I'd steer away from anything requiring a
server. Aside from being a situation of using a chain saw to cut butter and
a general PITA, migrating your materials out might turn out to be a real
pain later.

kyle





On Mon, Nov 13, 2017 at 2:51 PM, Cary Gordon <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> That description takes in a lot of territory, so the answer, as usual, is
> “it depends”. Mostly, it depends on the nature of the metadata. If your
> objects are all TIFFs, you can place metadata in their files using EXIF and
> EXIF extensions. While elegant, it is not likely to be sufficient in most
> cases.
>
> I work mostly with Islandora, and as much as I would like you to join the
> club, it is likely overkill for your needs.
>
> At the other end of the spectrum, you could put everything in a database,
> which would work, but I guess would be underkill, as you would have to
> build forms and reporting on your own.
>
> I think that a lightweight DAMS like Omeka might be a good fit.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Cary
>
> > On Nov 13, 2017, at 6:27 AM, Kari R Smith <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> > I'm looking for solutions (can be open or paid for) for a group of
> people to share, add to, and add metadata to digital images.  Not Flikr ...
> but also not a full on asset management system, ideally.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> --------------
> > Kari R. Smith
> > Institute Archivist and Program Head, Digital Archives
> > Institute Archives & Special Collections, MIT Libraries
> > Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
> > IASC office: 617.258.5568  http://libraries.mit.edu/archives/
> > she | her | hers   @karirene69  [smithkr at mit.edu]
>