Metadata:

Matadata is a structured information about a data or information. . For example if we look for book the meta data for it would be author, publication , no of pages, language etc. This method I highly use when I am searching any word or files in windows XP.

For example : When I lost any file (.doc for windows word) or unable to locate any file from windows XP, I usually go to search windows type the format I lost like .doc for word .XML for excel etc. And click on search button. Then we will receive list of word documents available in our system. By this way the data present on the file (MATADATA ) helps us to find easyly.

There are three main types of metadata , they are

Descriptive metadata ; It maily deals with resorces of a purposes like author, abstract, title, and keywords.

Structural Metadata: it deals with the format for the objects are put togethe or how pages are ordered to forma a chapter.

Admistrative metadata; It deals with the physical details of the data like when the file is been created , format for the file and who have the authorization to access it. (NISO Press, Understanding Metadata,2001 ).

But according to Amy Brand, Frank Daly, Barbara Meyers from Metadata Demystified Metadata is been classified into technical metadata, structural metadata and preservation metadata.

References:

‘Understanding Metadata’, 2001, NISO Press Pg No 01, Retrived on 31^st march, 2009,referencing not plagiarism, From http://www.niso.org/publications/press/

-‘Amy Brand , Frank Daly and BarbaraMeyers ‘, 2003, A Guide for Publishers- Metadata Demystified, The Sheridan Press and NISO Press ,Pg No 1, 3 and 6. Retrived on 31^st march, 2009 from NISO press releases.