Metadata Extraction Tool
Description
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
The National Library of New Zealand (NLNZ)
Licensing and cost
Apache Public License (version 2) – free.
Platform and interoperability
The software uses Java and XML, and has been tested in Windows and Linux/Unix environments.
Functional notes
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
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
The tool has both a GUI and command line interface.
Expertise required
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
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
Sourceforge statistics show approximately 38,000 downloads since 2007.
User Experiences
Development Activity
Version 3.5GA was released in June 2010. 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/