Metadata Overview
5.6.0+
Introduction
iShare allows users to associate metadata with the individual Layers by linking them to records in a metadata store making the metadata available in iShare GIS. Once this link has been established, the metadata in iShare GIS is kept in sync with the metadata store. In iShare GIS Studio, you can establish these links automatically in batch mode, and edit links for individual layers if necessary. For both individual and batches of layers, iShare GIS Studio will search the metadata store for matching records based on the layer name and the metadata record title.
Architecture
Metadata linking is designed to give iShare GIS, and hence iShare GIS users, access to metadata which is stored in a Metadata store (typically metadata.astuntechnology.com), and which refers to individual iShare layers. No metadata is stored in iShare GIS, just links to the records, so any updates made to the metadata store will be reflected in the metadata available in iShare GIS.
It may be necessary to have to refresh the data for updates to show. To do this, open iShare GIS Studio and find the Metadata node below your map sources (it may take a few seconds for this to appear), from there, click the Reload metadata button.
The diagram below shows how iShare GIS interacts with a Metadata CSW.
Pre-requisites
The Metadata is accessed via the Catalogue Service for the Web (CSW) - this is an OGC web service like Web Feature Service (WFS) or Web Mapping Service (WMS) but for accessing Metadata rather than Spatial data. To make use of metadata linking in iShare GIS, you will need metadata records in a metadata store in UK Gemini 2.3 format. These records need to correspond to the layers in iShare GIS.
Before you can associate metadata with your Layers you will need to follow the steps in Configuring Studio to access your CSW.
Processes
First, you need to follow the steps in Associating Metadata with iShare GIS Layers. iShare contains tools which search the Metadata store for records which correspond to iShare layers - this can be done for all layers, layers which don't already have metadata links or individual layers. It also allows metadata links to be removed and replaced, if, for example, they are incorrectly automatically added.
Once you have associated Metadata with your map Layers you will then be able to follow the guidance for:
If you don't have metadata for a layer in GeoNetwork, you can manually add Keywords and an Abstract via the Layer Metadata Editor. This will also be searchable in iShare GIS.