FGDC Spatial Metadata Standard Support

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 134 views

Introduction

In the realm of geographic information systems (GIS) and data management, metadata plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and usability of spatial data. The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) spatial metadata standard, version 2, and the Biological Data Profile version 2, are widely adopted standards for documenting and sharing geospatial data. To facilitate the creation and editing of metadata, Metavist has emerged as a powerful tool for developers and data managers. In this article, we will delve into the world of Metavist, exploring its features, benefits, and applications.

What is Metavist?

Metavist is a metadata editor designed specifically for the FGDC spatial metadata standard, version 2, and the Biological Data Profile version 2. This tool enables users to create, edit, and validate metadata for geospatial data, ensuring compliance with established standards. By leveraging Metavist, developers and data managers can streamline their metadata management processes, reducing errors and improving data quality.

History of Metavist

Metavist version 1.x has been available since late 2004, marking the beginning of its journey as a metadata editor. Initially written by Dave Rugg in Visual Basic.Net using version 1.1 of the Framework, Metavist has undergone significant developments over the years. The current version, 1.6, was released in November 2007, supporting version 1.1 and 2.0 of the .Net Framework. This evolution has enabled Metavist to stay relevant and effective in the ever-changing landscape of GIS and data management.

Key Features of Metavist

Metavist offers a range of features that make it an indispensable tool for metadata management. Some of its key features include:

FGDC Spatial Metadata Standard Support: Metavist is specifically designed to support the FGDC spatial metadata standard, version 2, ensuring compliance with established guidelines.
Biological Data Profile Support: In addition to the FGDC standard, Metavist also supports the Biological Data Profile version 2, catering to the needs of biologists and ecologists.
Metadata Editing and Validation: Metavist enables users to create, edit, and validate metadata for geospatial data, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
Support for Multiple File Formats: Metavist supports various file formats, including XML, CSV, and others, making it a versatile tool for metadata management.
User-Friendly Interface: Metavist boasts a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to developers and data managers with varying levels of expertise.

Benefits of Using Metavist

The benefits of using Metavist are numerous, making it an essential tool for anyone involved in metadata management. Some of the key benefits include:

Improved Data Quality: By ensuring compliance with established standards, Metavist helps to improve data quality, reducing errors and inconsistencies.
Increased Efficiency: Metavist streamlines metadata management processes, saving time and resources for developers and data managers.
Enhanced Collaboration: Metavist facilitates collaboration among team members, ensuring that metadata is accurate and consistent across different projects and teams.
Better Data Sharing: By providing a standardized metadata format, Metavist enables seamless data sharing and exchange between different organizations and stakeholders.

Applications of Metavist

Metavist has a wide range of applications across various industries and domains. Some of the key applications include:

GIS and Mapping: Metavist is an essential tool for GIS professionals, enabling them to create and edit metadata for geospatial data.
Environmental Monitoring: Metavist supports the creation and editing of metadata for environmental monitoring data, ensuring compliance with established standards.
Biological Research: Metavist is used in biological research to create and edit metadata for biological data, facilitating collaboration and data sharing.
Data Management: Metavist is used in data management to ensure compliance with established standards, improving data quality and reducing errors.

Conclusion

Q: What is Metavist and what does it do?

A: Metavist is a metadata editor designed specifically for the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) spatial metadata standard, version 2, and the Biological Data Profile version 2. It enables users to create, edit, and validate metadata for geospatial data, ensuring compliance with established standards.

Q: What are the key features of Metavist?

A: Some of the key features of Metavist include:

Support for the FGDC spatial metadata standard, version 2
Support for the Biological Data Profile version 2
Metadata editing and validation
Support for multiple file formats, including XML, CSV, and others
User-friendly interface

Q: What are the benefits of using Metavist?

A: The benefits of using Metavist include:

Improved data quality
Increased efficiency
Enhanced collaboration
Better data sharing

Q: What are the applications of Metavist?

A: Metavist has a wide range of applications across various industries and domains, including:

GIS and mapping
Environmental monitoring
Biological research
Data management

Q: Is Metavist compatible with different operating systems?

A: Yes, Metavist is compatible with Windows operating systems.

Q: Can I use Metavist with other metadata standards?

A: No, Metavist is specifically designed to support the FGDC spatial metadata standard, version 2, and the Biological Data Profile version 2. If you need to work with other metadata standards, you may need to use a different tool.

Q: Is Metavist free to use?

A: Yes, Metavist is free to use.

Q: Can I customize Metavist to meet my specific needs?

A: Yes, Metavist allows for customization to meet specific needs.

Q: What kind of support is available for Metavist?

A: Metavist has a user manual and online documentation available for download. Additionally, the developer, Dave Rugg, is available for support and can be contacted through email.

Q: Can I use Metavist with other tools and software?

A: Yes, Metavist can be used with other tools and software, including GIS software and data management systems.

Q: Is Metavist regularly updated?

A: Yes, Metavist is regularly updated to ensure compatibility with new software and operating systems.

Q: Can I use Metavist for commercial purposes?

A: Yes, Metavist can be used for commercial purposes.

Q: What are the system requirements for Metavist?

A: The system requirements for Metavist are:

Windows operating system
.Net Framework 1.1 or 2.0
128 MB RAM
10 MB hard disk space

Q: Can I use Metavist with other languages?

A: Yes, Metavist can be used with other languages, including English, Spanish, French, and others.

Q: Is Metavist available in different versions?

A: Yes, Metavist is available in different versions, including version 1.6, which is the current version.

Q: Can I use Metavist with other metadata formats?

A: Yes, Metavist can be used with other metadata formats, including XML, CSV, and others.

Q: Is Metavist a standalone application?

A: Yes, Metavist is a standalone application that does not require any additional software to run.

Q: Can I use Metavist with other data formats?

A: Yes, Metavist can be used with other data formats, including geospatial data, environmental data, and biological data.