I’ve been a fan of adding value to files with metadata for a long time. If you’ve ever used your computer search engine to find a specific file and the only identifier is a name like “lastsatfun.doc” or “IMG_0124.JPG,” you know how difficult the task can be.
Metadata, or “data about data,” adds simple tags to files making them easier to find and giving you a chance to group, organize, and understand the relationships between files with the same tags. It’s a bit like using a index to your files; your job is to provide the key words that make the index valuable.
If you are unfamiliar with the term “metadata” you might wonder why I’m throwing out other words like “tags” and “keywords.” Many software programs use these terms interchangeably. Sometimes they function in slightly different ways, but essentially metadata tags, and keywords all do a similar task by classifying your files for better access.
Want to learn more? You are in luck because on 7 February 2013 DearMYRTLE will be hosting “Metadata is your Friend” a DearMYRTLE Workshop Webinar with Denise Barrett Olson and Thomas MacEntee.
Way back in the early days of my adventures in archiving, I read Denise Olson’s posts about metadata and knew I had found a kindred soul. With three tech-gurus meeting to talk about using metadata in your family history work, Thursday’s webinar workshop promises to be an outstanding event.
Sign up at DearMYRTLE to attend Thursday, February at 6pm. And, while you are waiting for the event, do a little advance homework so you are ready to get as much as you can from the evening —
Photo Metadata, at the Moultrie Creek Gazette
Using Adobe Lightroom to Manage Genealogy Images, at The Family Curator
