Managing object descriptions
Who
This is mainly the work area of domain experts like biologists, archeologists, anthropologists, etcetera, and of collection registrators. The first group has a general knowledge of a particular area of knowledge and the terminology used in that area. The collection registrators are often professional specialists with detailed knowledge of certain object collections.
What
Object descriptions (e.g. for the purpose of collection registration) are generally created using, and stored in, classical relational databases. As a result of the use of specific data models, exchangeability and linking are often problematic.
Often cover-all data models are used as a workaround that can become bloated as a result of their generic nature (historical object map, cultural value chart, etc). Many cultural heritage institutions are looking for an alternative. In this respect, Cidoc-crm is considered a suitable candidate - also by a number of RNA case owners.
How
The editing of object descriptions is done with either the software that comes with specialized object registration databases or with editing interfaces on the object descriptions which exist, ready for presentation, in the website.
Various digital object models are used for object descriptions and adapted to the type of object that is to be described.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007