Module 4: Organising Search Information

The objective of this of the task is to choose three sources found in the last task and to show how we can store this information on our computers. I have done this through the use of a program called‘Powermarks’

Power marks works by allowing you to save bookmarks and to annotate information against them such as: URL, author, institution, blurb/summary. Three examples are shown below:

Meta Data

Automatic Updates

Email Ettiquette

It also has a number of tabs within each bookmark that allows you perform other functions such as authentication, user storage and checking the status on a schedule. I like this tool because it is easy to use and this version is portable which means that you can transfer the information to other computers without installing the program.

Evaluating the Web

The main idea behind the metadata site shown above is to provide detailed information in relation to FAQs on metadata standards. As it is written by the US Geological survey and it is in response to the most frequent metadata FAQs which have been identified by US government agencies.

Purpose: The purpose of this site is to provide background on how the current metadata stands came into place. It also provides detailed information and advice on how to create a metadata directory.

Author: This site is written by the U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey.

Content: This site appears to be objective as it simply provides information without any critical analysis. Another important note is that the site is written in passive tense without any personal opinions being highlighted with the use of pronouns.

Coverage: This site provided the most comprehensive coverage of this topic. This is due to the USGS participants being involved in the development of the metadata standards.

Currency: This information is current as it was published during February 2008

Recognition: This site has links to a number of credible sources within the US Government which include:

Department of the Interior

Department of Agriculture

Department of Commerce

Department of Defense

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Environmental Protection Agency