Metadata Extraction Tool
Description[edit]
The Metadata Extraction Tool automatically extracts a limited set of metadata from the headers of digital files; it has the capability to process both individual files and larger batches. The Tool outputs this information as XML, with the goal of facilitating transfer into a preservation metadata repository.
Provider[edit]
The National Library of New Zealand (NLNZ)
Platform and interoperability[edit]
The software uses Java and XML, and has been tested in Windows and Linux/Unix environments.
Functional notes[edit]
The Metadata Extraction Tool uses a library of ‘adapters’ to extract metadata for specific file types. Adapters have been created for the following formats: BMP, GIF, JPEG and TIFF; MS Word, Word Perfect, Open Office, MS Works, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and PDF; WAV, MP3, BFW, and FLAC; HTML and XML; and ARC. If the file type is unknown the Tool applies a generic adapter, which extracts a limited amount baseline metadata. The application opens all files as read-only, ensuring the integrity of original files.
Documentation and user support[edit]
The Tool’s Sourceforge page includes user and installation guides, as well as a developer guide. Users can report bugs through the Sourceforge site, which also lists a contact email.
Usability[edit]
The tool has both a GUI and command line interface.
Expertise required[edit]
Installation and configuration require solid knowledge of application design and technologies. Users should have comprehensive knowledge of metadata standards and formats, particularly regarding preservation metadata.
Standards compliance[edit]
The Metadata Extraction Tool currently outputs its XML files using the NLNZ preservation metadata schema; however, the software can be configured to support other schemas.
Influence and take-up[edit]
Sourceforge statistics show approximately 38,000 downloads since 2007.
User Experiences[edit]
- FITS (File Information Tool Set): Used in FITS
Development Activity[edit]
Version 3.5GA was released in June 2010. Latest release 3.6GA is from 2014.
The initial version of the tool was released in 2003; redevelopment for version 3 began in 2007. Contact information on the NLNZ site implies ongoing support; no information is available about ongoing development.
All development activity is visible on http://sourceforge.net/projects/meta-extractor/