Visual Resources Project Workflow
(not a linear process; primarily LUNA): Project Initiation: * Establish project :
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- team/leads
- timelines
- parameters
- Document User Requirements; should include the following:
o mock-up of end-user data window showing data element order and nesting,
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- list of thumbnail data fields and sorts,
- list of standard searches,
- describe controlled vocabularies,
- describe standard abbreviations,
- Determine if collection to be Inscribe enabled — if so, develop validations,
- User agreement on stability of data structure and key values.
- Formalize Partnership
- Contract & Financial Arrangements
- Setting of Expectations
- Plan for Ongoing Maintenance
- User Sign-off Development:
Metadata Determine Data Conformance---VRA compatibility, etc.
Finesse data as necessary (controlled vocab; clean fields, etc)
Luna Tech**- Request Collection Set-up (usually Gale request this of Surinder)
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- Write Scripts/Clone Collection according to req. doc (Surinder)
- Create Collection in Studio---create/modify catalogue template (G & M)
- Load data (this can happen a number of ways---depending on format of data)
- Set up Data Window Interface in Inscribe
- Process Images and Upload into Collection
- Once collection has been tested, move from "test" to "production"
- Provide Support for Ongoing Maintenance
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User Testing/Usability (write-up by Gale Halpern): For a new collection: | Testing Procedure | Description | Staff |
Functionality |
Simple searches by someone who is familiar with the database based on the search options (key word, date, etc.) and the data fields |
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User interface |
Check the main elements of the home page (images, help page, contact information, background information, credits, etc.) to make sure that they are complete and easy to find |
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User help |
There should be a help page with information on software, browser recommendations, contact information for help |
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Consistency |
Try out different browsers and versions (Netscape, Explorer) |
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Security |
Test if the system is limited to a certain domain name or open access |
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Capacity |
Coordinate 4-5 people searching the image database at the same time to assess impact |
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Performance |
Connect to and search the system during different times of the day to test response time |
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Recovery |
Backups, archiving load files |
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Maintenance |
Error reporting, etc. |
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Documentation |
Information about key aspects of the project (technical metadata) |
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Archiving |
Safe storage of master images and source metadata, in addition to other contextual scripts and programs (METS, VRA model, etc.) |
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For a Version Update or System Change:* Test different derivative sizes
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Focus on public access benefits and communicating value of the collections I. Via CUL resources: - Cataloging of collection as whole (Find Databases) and individual monograph/journal titles when appropriate - Networked Electronic Resource Form - http://www.library.cornell.edu/voyager/Order/netrescatform.html
- Links and project summaries on http://dcaps.library.cornell.edu/facultygrants/
- Announcement on CUL Gateway
- IRPC-L (which is in the process of being transferred to a PSEC list) or perhaps CU-Lib, so that we do not leave out anyone (selectors may be interested in new collections).
- InsideCUL article or announcement
- Announcements/articles in specific library print/online newsletters as related to collection. [ex. Arts & Humanities news, Primary Source (Law Library) ] II. Via CU resources: - Press release and articles in Cornell Chronicle (FOCUS on CUL monthly column)
- Work with faculty members in announcing collections on their departmental websites
- Promoting it on Cornell website (www.cornell.edu) III. Via global community: A. Identifying Target Audiences
- Work with faculty members in announcing collections through their network of colleagues, listservs and conferences
- Work with library selectors
- Work with external organizations to publicize availability through their websites and publications (ex. National Trust for Historic Preservation (Tomlan) , Mountain Institute of Peru (Isbell), )
B. Mechanisms for wide accessibility
- Registering collections for Google results ranking - http://www.google.com/addurl/?continue=/addurl
- Open WorldCat - http://www.oclc.org/worldcat/open/default.htm cataloged CUL resources will be listed
- Announcements on broad digital collections and visual resources listservs (diglib@infoserv.inist.fr, VRA-L, IMAGELIB)
- Announcements/articles in digital library print/web publications (ex. D-Lib Magazine http://www.dlib.org/ )
- Future - CUL Digital Collections registry in development by Integrated Framework Team
Training & Support
- Improving Help & Contact pages
- Training Sessions for Faculty/ Users