XML records can be created with any text editor, but in order to participate in the UCARConnect catalog, your metadata will need to be robust and easily updated. There are two main ways UCAR groups have done this:
There are other methods, like installing your own version of the Digital Cataloging System, or by setting up a OAI-PMH server with software like jOAI. We can provide assistance if you choose to go that route. However, the methods listed above are the easiest and fastest.
You will first need to contact us at ucarconnectsupport@ucar.edu for a login and to create a collection for your group. Once you have access to the system, you can follow our simple instructions and/or watch an introductory video to create metadata records for your collection.
If you would like to create your xml metadata records on your own system, you can use a static gateway to allow UCARConnect to index them. This is a good option if you would like to programmatically create the records, like if you already have a database that contains metadata about your resources and you can then convert it into the right format, lar. For information, please see the Specification for an OAI Static Repository and an OAI Static Repository Gateway. The UCARConnect static repository where you will register your gateway url can be found at this page. If you'd like to see a working example of a static gateway, you can refer to the version created by Meted/Comet at this page.
As you go about creating and publishing your metadata records in UCARConnect, you will probably have many questions. Please feel free to contact us at ucarconnectsupport@ucar.edu.