In general reference to the draft User-Guide
(http://128.253.70.110/DC5/UserGuide3.html),
I think it will be well worth pointing out to users what were in fact
the first two Underlying Assumptions for DC from the DC1 workshop:
"...
4.1 Intrinsicality
...
4.2 Extensibility
..."
(http://www.oclc.org:5046/oclc/research/conferences/metadata/
dublin_core_report.html)
Note for example the Environment Australia adaptions to DC, which
have tried to force the concept of "custodian" into the standard DC
elements, in this case into DC:contributor.
(http://www.environment.gov.au/www-standards/EA_DC.html)
The custodian of the document described by the meta-data is not
intrinsic to the document, and for this reason alone should be
located in extensions to DC, not in the core elements. The User-Guide
needs to explain to users what data to include in DC elements, what
should go into explicit extensions, and how to implement these
extensions.
I know the User-Guide WG may be being forced to jump the gun somewhat
by describing syntax for extensions before it has been formalised by
other WGs, but I supppose that is the price we pay for moving ahead
on multiple fronts at once. (Sorry about the mixed metaphors.)
Jeff Green
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Ph: +61 3 9629 4835 ext 315 Fax: +61 3 9629 4839
PO Box 598 Market St, Melbourne, 8007, Australia
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