Osprey web application
The software and document information in Osprey is stored as OMF (Open Source Metadata Framework) records. OMF is a generalized, flexible metadata scheme based on Dublin Core Because of the strong link to Dublin Core, Osprey can easily import from and export to other formats. In addition, Osprey includes a WDDX-based XML conversion gateway that displays records in various metadata schemes as well as in OAI-compliant (Open Archives Initiative) format. This XML gateway is the basis for the distributed, cross-Osprey application search functionality.
Osprey use at ibiblio has three main goals:
- To provide improved search and browse access to the software and web documents in the ibiblio collection.
- To make the ibiblio collection materials available for download on a peer-to-peer network.
- To expose materials in the ibiblio collection to other OAI-compliant systems.
While each of these goals has been achieved in some part on a localized basis, Osprey combines these functions for the entire ibiblio collection.
In terms of metadata sharing and federating digital archives, Osprey fills the gap between content development and the OAI metadata publishing and harvesting protocol. With Osprey, metadata starts with the content creator. Osprey provides a means for the author, either an individual or a group, to supply and manage this metadata. The system then makes the information available for distributed searching via OAI. The OAI protocol provides a framework for interoperability among digital libraries and electronic archives. By making use of this standard, the Osprey project hopes to further the efforts of a larger community of scholars and content providers.
The ibiblio Osprey application focuses on locally-hosted sites. However, it is not limited to this content. Maintainers of other sites are free to add descriptions and links to their documents. An extended goal of the Osprey project is to encourage other sites and organizations to install and use Osprey. The separate Osprey applications will be linked via an application tracker to provide cross-site searching. Osprey is released under an Open Source license and is free for anyone to download and use.
