Help for Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about metadata and getting your metadata on DataFinder

Questions about the DataFinder catalog

Questions about map services

Questions about DataFinder Café

Other Questions


What are Metadata?  back to top ^
"Metadata" literally means data about data. Metadata documentation may explain things such as the source, currentness or quality of a dataset. Metadata help people using geographic information determine if a dataset meets their needs or is appropriate for a particular use. While metadata are an important part of data sharing, they can also greatly benefit the data producing organization. For example, as personnel change, undocumented data may lose value. New employees may have little understanding of the contents of and uses for a dataset and may find they cannot trust results generated from these data. Additionally, a lack of knowledge about a dataset may lead to duplication of effort. Good metadata will increase the value of a dataset and give users of the data the confidence that they are using the data appropriately. For more information, see the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata pages as well as the Metadata Resources Page from the MN Land Management Information Center (LMIC).

What does "powered by metadata" mean?  back to top ^
Powered by Metadata
This site needs metadata to function - meaning that any data is useless unless we understand its uses and limitations. To learn even more about metadata, see the question above, and also check out this Minnesota Historical Society page: Powered by Metadata

What are the Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines? back to top ^
The Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines (MGMG) have been adopted by MetroGIS. Find out more about them at http://www.gis.state.mn.us/stds/metadata.htm.

What tools are available for creating MGMG compliant metadata? back to top ^
DataLogr is a metadata entry tool that has been customized to allow the entry of metadata in conformance with the Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines. This software is free to all public organizations in Minnesota. For more information, go to the DataLogr web page. Users of ArcCatalog can also download a free MGMG compliant metadata editor for use within ArcCatalog. For more information, go to MGMG ArcCatalog web page.

How do I create metadata?  back to top ^

Expectations

  • Visit LMIC's Metadata Resources web page. Get one of the MGMG compliant metadata editing tools described above from the Minnesota Land Management Information Center.
  • Get one of the MGMG compliant metadata editing tools described above from the LMIC's Metadata Resource Page.
  • For each metadata record, fill in as many fields as you can.
  • Fill in a concise, meaningful title that describes what the dataset is. It is not necessary to use the actual file name of the layer (for example: m_veg.e00 does not have meaning to most users of DataFinder).
  • Fill in any user constraints and limitations that apply to the dataset.
  • Many times, the fields in Section 1 that refer to Person, Organization, Voice Phone, etc. will be the same in Section 6 and Section 7, but it is important that the fields be filled in.
  • Place Keywords can be very useful for searching for particular geographic areas (e.g., county or city names).
  • Fill in Theme Keywords as best you can. Use the plural version of theme keywords as much as possible. Some topics may be known under many different names, so listing several keywords is a good idea, for example, a wetlands dataset might contain the keywords wetlands, swamps, bogs, etc.
  • Leave the browse graphic field or the e-mail address fields blank if there is no link. Do not type 'none' or 'N/A'.
  • Remember, when you fill in the bounding coordinates, the west and east bounding coordinates will be a negative number (for the western hemisphere), expressed in latitude and longitude in decimal degrees. Bounding coordinates allow users of DataFinder to do a bounding box geographic search.

How do I contribute metadata to DataFinder?  back to top ^

We encourage organizations in the Twin Cities metro area to use DataFinder as a place to share their GIS metadata and data. There is no restriction on who can post metadata or distribute data via DataFinder. The only restriction is that data for which an access fee is required can not be distributed via DataFinder. It can, however, be advertised by posting a metadata record. (DataFinder does not contain an e-commerce capacity.) If you are interested in posting your metadata (and optionally data) on DataFinder, contributors are expected to:

  1. Fill out a metadata record for each GIS dataset. You can use DataLogr and the Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines (MGMG) template, or ArcCatalog and the MGMG editor. Both are described above. Note that metadata creation resources can be found on LMIC's Metadata Resource Page.
  2. Recommend the Theme(s) (up to 3) that you would like the metadata assigned to on DataFinder. Review the DataFinder ISO Compliant Theme Categories document to select the theme(s).
  3. Complete a QA/QC check of the file before submitting it to DataFinder.
  4. Email the metadata file(s) to . You must submit either 1) Both an XML file and an HTML file, or 2) Both an SGML file (.sgm) and an HTML file (.htm).
  5. Notify DataFinder staff at if a file becomes obsolete and should be deleted.
  6. Send in an updated metadata file whenever you have significant changes to your metadata.

What is a browse graphic?  back to top ^
A "Browse Graphic" is any type of graphic file that provides an illustration of the dataset. If a browse graphic is available on the internet, provide the file name Uniform Resource Locator (URL), including the "http://". Use the browse graphic description field to describe what the graphic shows and how big it is so the user can anticipate how long it will take to load on their system.

I don't have any place to post a browse graphic. What do I do? back to top ^
MetroGIS DataFinder has space for small graphic files (in JPEG format) so that data providers have the opportunity to display a sample of their data. Please limit the browse graphic to under 300 Kbytes.

How do I get more information than the metadata provides about a particular dataset?  back to top ^
Contact the Contact Person listed in Section 1 of the metadata.

How do I get more information about acquiring a particular dataset?  back to top ^
Read the Access Constraints and Use Constraints in Section 1, and the Ordering Instructions and Distribution Liability in Section 6 of the metadata. If there are further questions, contact the Distributor Contact Person listed in Section 6 of the metadata.

How do I get more information about the metadata record?  back to top ^
Contact the Metadata Contact Person listed in Section 7 of the metadata.

What does "MetroGIS Endorsed" mean?  back to top ^
The MetroGIS Policy Board endorses desired specifications for geospatial data needed commonly by the MetroGIS data-user community, following a broadly participatory and replicable process. These commonly needed data are referred to as "regional data". The Policy Board also endorses roles and responsibilities for primary and regional custodians of these data and seeks out agreements with specified organizations to carry out the desired tasks. In addition, endorsement of a regional dataset involves guidelines for access, content, and distribution of the dataset. For more information about MetroGIS' regional datasets, please see http://www.metrogis.org/data/index.shtml

How were the categories in the theme catalog chosen?  back to top ^
DataFinder uses the Minnesota Geospatial Data Categories which are based on ISO 19115 Topical Category Definitions. Thus, they are official state, federal and international categories. A few of the ISO categories were expanded by the federal and state governments to provide meaningful categories at the local level. The DataFinder ISO Compliant Theme Categories document describes these theme categories in detail.

How can I search metadata over a larger area than Minnesota? What about other NSDI clearinghouses?  back to top ^
The DataFinder GeoGateway provides a metadata search engine on the "Metadata Search" page of the web site. This search can actually search more than just the available DataFinder metadata. The DataFinder GeoGateway searches the DataFinder NSDI Clearinghouse "node," or data source. A node is a site that contains geographic data and metadata, or documentation. In addition, the DataFinder GeoGateway can search several other nodes that have datasets describing the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota. These nodes are a subset of a list of over 250 national and international nodes available through the Federal Geographic Data Clearinghouse.

Examples of nodes in DataFinder GeoGateway search interface are MetroGIS DataFinder and Land Management Information Center at Minnesota Planning. You may search one, many or all nodes simultaneously through DataFinder GeoGateway.

If you would like to expand your search of metadata beyond those nodes included in the DataFinder GeoGateway interface, then you have several options. To expand your search to nodes that have metadata for the state of Minnesota, try the Minnesota Geographic Data Clearinghouse. To expand your search to a national or international level, try using an NSDI Gateway search that includes more nodes. To get started, see the FGDC National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse.

What are web mapping services and how can I use them?  back to top ^
A map service makes one or more spatial datasets (e.g. roads, land use, aerial photos) available directly over the Internet. Such services can be used by GIS clients on the desktop to display these spatial data as though they were stored locally. This makes the sharing of GIS data much easier and more flexible. Map services can also be used in web applications that display geographic information. Currently DataFinder provides ArcIMS map services (only usable in ESRI GIS applications) and OGC-compliant WMS and WFS. WMS and WFS were originally made possible by an NSDI Grant. To learn more about the map service contents and examples on how to use them, see the DataFinder Catalog and DataFinder Services page.

What is the Geography Network?  back to top ^
The Geography Network describes itself as,

"... a global network of geographic information users and providers. It provides the infrastructure needed to enable the sharing of geographic information between data providers, service providers, and users around the world. The Internet is used to deliver geographic content to the user's browser and desktop. Through the Geography Network, you can access many types of geographic content including live maps, downloadable data, and more advanced services. The Geography Network content is distributed at many locations around the world, providing you access to the latest information available directly from the source."

In Spring 2001, MetroGIS entered the Geography Network Challenge, a worldwide competition, and won first place for the MetroGIS DataFinder Transportation Map service. The prize was presented to MetroGIS staff at the ESRI 2001 User's Conference in San Diego. MetroGIS won $5000 in Training Credits that will be used by MetroGIS participants to take ESRI Virtual Campus Courses.

Why should I disable pop-ups for DataFinder Café?  back to top ^

DataFinder Café uses Geocortex IMF Technology which in turn takes advantage of pop-ups.

Pop-up blocking technology has grown in popularity because it helps people avoid the plague of annoying and invasive pop-up advertisements.

However, the DataFinder Café uses pop-up capabilities to enhance functionality. While Geocortex-based web-maps can (and are) designed without the use of pop-ups, they continue to make use of them because they are very effective for communicating certain types of map-related information.

There are many alternative pop-up blockers on the market. With most, you can temporarily or permanently add a particular internet domain as a safe site. The DataFinder domain contains no advertising and we use pop-ups sparingly. We recommend adding www.datafinder.org as a permanent safe domain.

Listed below are some of the more popular Pop-up blocking software packages, and the workarounds in order to disable them to use our software. There are literally dozens of Pop-Up blocking software packages, so it is next to impossible to document the procedure for disabling each one. In general however, most Pop-Up blockers will install themselves either within the browser toolbar, or within the Windows Taskbar along the bottom right corner.

How do I learn more about the DataFinder Café?  back to top ^
The development process of DataFinder Café is described in some detail, including the Functional Requirements Document, on the MetroGIS web site. In addition a white paper on the technical aspects of the project is also provided. Please see: the About DataFinder page on the MetroGIS web site.

How is MetroGIS DataFinder related to the Minnesota Geographic Data Clearinghouse?  back to top ^

The two clearinghouse efforts are very much complimentary. The Minnesota Geographic Data Clearinghouse focuses on state-wide datasets of all kinds. The MetroGIS DataFinder site is basically limited to datasets for the seven county Twin Cities metro area, which is the domain of the MetroGIS organization. Another complimentary sites include the Minnesota DNR Data Deli and the Mn/DOT BaseMap site. Links to other Minnesota geographic data distribution sites can be found in the Data Catalog Section of the Minnesota Geographic Data Clearinghouse pages.

Most of these sites were developed to specifically compliment on another. The managers of the MetroGIS DataFinder and Minnesota Geographic Data Clearinghouse have an excellent working relationship and meet regularly to evaluate these sites to make sure they compliment each other.

The idea of combining many of these sites has been discussed in the past. The site managers concluded that the loose federated approach that exists provides the best opportunity for the organizations to efficiently distribute their data. It also seems to be working very well for the user community. But with this concept in mind, the Minnesota Geographic Data Clearinghouse has been positioned as an overarching parent clearinghouse for the other clearinghouse sites in MN. For example, the Minnesota Clearinghouse site includes the GeoGateway search tool that allows the user to select and search any and all clearinghouse nodes within Minnesota and neighboring states.