What is GeoNetwork?

GeoNetwork is open source software designed to provide a free catalogue application for spatial metadata. It contains advanced search functions, a built in web map viewer and the ability to attach associated documents.

BlueNet MEST is a dirivative of GeoNetwork built by The University of Tasmania to incorporate the ISO 19115 and ISO/TS 19139.

What is happening at a national level?

As part of the ANZLIC Discovery and Access Program, it is expected that the GeoNetwork BlueNet MEST will be teamed with a Metadata Entry Tool to support the collection of metadata nationally. ANZLIC are currently involved in the revamping of GeoNetwork over the next two years to ensure that Australia is represented.

What are the benefits of GeoNetwork?

From a WA point of view we have discovered many benefits of GeoNetwork BlueNet MEST.

The GeoNetwork:

• Is ANZLIC compliant.
• Can be searched remotely or harvested by state and national GeoNetworks.
• Is open source and therefore free and easily updateable. (When ANZLIC makes a change, everybody can freely update.)
• Can be customised for each agency.
• Complies with the SLIP ideal. The data is all stored locally, ensuring that agencies control their own data and are able to restrict access to public users. 
• Can be linked to other data management documents.
• Can be search through many methods.
• Links to a web map viewer.
• Checks metadata records against a schema.
• Is easy to use.
• Is accessible through the internet and internal systems.
• Complies with the WALIS metadata and data custodianship policies.

What is WALIS doing?

To ensure that Western Australia is represented nationally, WALIS has a committee member on the ANZLIC Discovery and Access Program.

WALIS are also testing GeoNetwork to assess the viability of the GeoNetwork as a metadata catalogue for WA.

How can I get involved?

• Let WALIS know if your agency is interested in GeoNetwork.
• Tell WALIS your metadata catalogue requirements to ensure that you are represented at a state and national level.
• Come along to the data and metadata group to discuss any developments.
• If you have already been investigating GeoNetwork or installed one in your agency, let WALIS know what you think.

Where can I find more information?

http://geonetwork-opensource.org/ - The GeoNetwork Opensource website where you can download the latest GeoNetwork. The Documentation area is particularly interesting for new users.

http://www.bluenet.org.au/ - The GeoNetwork BlueNet MEST website where you can download the ANZLIC compliant GeoNetwork.

http://mest.ivec.org/geonetwork/srv/en/main.home - Have a look at a GeoNetwork in use. This one has been created by Ivec for the Marine Community.