Toward EML2.0

[Karen Baker]

EML Warriors and Parties:

I agree the EML product is important. And would hasten to add that 
the EML design process is extremely important as well. 

The implementation versus specification reminder is timely: 
that is, an articulated EML specification in English with 'required' 
entries explicitly noted would be of great benefit. I'm not in the 
office Wednesday for the scheduled call, but here are some initial
thoughts prompted by the recent messages:

literature citation: yes the eml-literature module would benefit
from attention since bibiliographic package adoptions are as complex
as EML package adoptions.  With the existing not-so-compatable 
standards of varying granularity (Refer/BibIX, NISO/z39.80, Marc), 
adopting an existing midrange 'standard' solution seems one way 
to go while recognizing also the need for development of some local 
'bibliographic best practices' as well. A place to start is to
inquire whether NCEAS or the LTER sites have existing ties with 
any of the existing standards (beyond EndNote) at this point. 

party module: currently the EML structure puts people (and 
protocols) as a property of a dataset rather than standing-alone 
like literature.  Just as eml-literature will in the long-run 
be more powerful if it can coordinate with outside bibliographic 
services, is it useful to consider a party module that can 
coordinate with other party services (personnel directories)? 

protocols/methods: In my site's use of the terms, protocols 
provide community-accepted referenceable practices so is well 
represented as standalone while methods are used to capture local 
design variation and execution perhaps/perhaps-not related to some 
protocols so works well associated with a dataset.

metadata maintenance: the question arose at the workshop as to 
how to deal with: 
    date-begin: 1990
    date-end: ongoing

It would be informative if the upcoming conversation can be summarized 
and posted as a continuation of the eml-dev at ecoinformatics/im at lternet 
dialogue.
-karen baker