[eml-dev] EML 2.1.0 released

[Margaret O'Brien]

Hello all -
A new version of our metadata specification, EML 2.1.0, is now available 
for download at http://knb.ecoinformatics.org/software/eml/. Of course, 
EML metadata documents using the current 2.0.1 schema are still acceptable.

In general, the changes to the schema are small, although important. For 
a complete discussion and examples, see the document "Changes to EML in 
version 2.1.0" available at the link above. First, we addressed schema 
features which made it difficult to use EML with recent XML editors. 
Other improvements include simplification of permission settings 
(access), corrections to geographic polygons, and some retyping of 
content. Overall, these changes keep EML up to date with current XML 
recommendations and will improve the quality of our metadata.

There is also a tool for transforming current  EML-2.0.1 documents into 
the 2.1.0 format which is available in a separate download of companion 
material called "EML Utilities". This utilities release is preliminary, 
although functional. In addition to the transformation stylesheet, it 
includes other tools for handling EML documents, such as conversions 
from EML to ESRI, NBII and HTML which had been included with the 
previous EML distributions (through v2.0.1). By creating a separate 
product, the EML Utilities can be developed and enhanced independently 
from the schema itself.  The community is encouraged to participate.

This EML release has been coordinated with complementary upgrades of 
Metacat (our metadata catalog) and Morpho (an EML management tool). 
Thanks to all who contributed to these products as well as to the EML 
schema and its documentation.

Best regards,
Margaret O'Brien
EML 2.1.0 Release Coordinator
Santa Barbara Coastal LTER

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Margaret O'Brien
Information Management
Santa Barbara Coastal LTER 
Marine Science Institute
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA  93106-6150

805-893-2071
mob at icess.ucsb.edu
http://sbc.lternet.edu
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