Below are suggested changes to the DCMI type vocabulary definitions. I've normalized the structure so each definition begins with "A resource which...", removed examples from the definitions (eg. Dataset). I've also made some changes to the content of a few definitions, including Service (to be in line with Ann's suggestion below) and expanded on comment for Collection..
Collection :
A resource which is an aggregation of items according to a particular purpose, theme or mandate.
Comment: The term Collection means that the resource is described as a group; its parts may also be separately described and navigated. Properties of a Collection may not be identical to properties of its parts; properties of all parts may not be identical.
Dataset:
A resource in which data is encoded in a defined structure.
Event:
A resource which is a time-based activity.
Image:
A resource which is a visual, non-textual representation.
Interactive Resource:
A resource which requires interaction from the user to be understood, executed or experienced.
Moving Image:
A resource which is a visual representation other than text that imparts motion or an impression of motion.
Physical Object:
A resource which has three dimensions and mass.
Service:
A resource which is a system or activity that is needed or requested.
Software:
A resource which is expressed as a computer program in source or compiled form; may be available for installation nontransiently on another machine.
Sound:
A resource which is primarly intended to be heard..
Still Image:
A resource which is a static visual representation other than text.
Text:
A resource which is in primarily words intended to be read.
Gregory Renaud
Information Management Strategies Division / La Division des stratégies de gestion de l'information
Chief Information Officer Branch / Direction du dirigeant principal de l'information
Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat / Secrétariat du Conseil du Trésor du Canada
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0R5
telephone / téléphone (613) 946-6280
facsimile / télécopieur (613) 946-9342
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-----Original Message-----
From: General DCMI discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ann Apps
Sent: December 9, 2005 10:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [DCMIType] Comment on suggested changes
A comment on the proposed editorial changes to the DCMI Type Vocabulary.
The proposed definition for 'Service' is:
A system that provides one or more functions of value to the end user.
To me the term 'end user' implies a person. But within a service oriented architecture the user of a service may be another service, ie a machine. In fact one of the examples is a Z39.50 server which is not usually used directly by a person. Of course people do hopefully get ultimate benefit from a such service but such indirect use seems to me beyond the basic definition of a service.
I suggest that the words 'to the end user' be dropped.
Also I'm not sure that a definition should attempt value judgements as to whether a function is 'of value'. It should simply say that a service provides functions. So I'd suggest dropping 'of value' as well.
Ann
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Ann Apps. IT Specialist (Research & Development), MIMAS,
The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 161 275 6039 Fax: +44 (0) 161 275 6040
Email: [log in to unmask] WWW: http://epub.mimas.ac.uk/ann.html
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