My experience of cataloging and exchanging metadata is by no means as
extensive as others on this list I am sure. However, my software
development experience working with metadata repositories and cross
searching systems leads me to believe the following.
A core set of elements needs to be mandated if the goal is to ultimately
ensure consistent resource discovery and delivery of quality information to
the user (whoever that may be). In simple logic terms (i.e. software terms)
the phrase 'to strongly encourage' is absolutely no different to the term
'optional'.
Rob Tice
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