Format Unit

1. About the main contributors

• author(s)
• name(s), email(s), institution(s), homepage(s)
• editor
• name, email
• reviewers
• names, institutions

2. Details about the file

• current URL of file
• the location from which we will capture a copy for posting on the NCGIA web server
• last revision date
• unit title
• unit key number

3. Key words

• provide up to five key words which describe the major themes covered by the unit
• a full set of suggested key words will be gradually developed in order to ensure that the set is comprehensive but not open-ended

4. Index words

• provide up to 10 index words which identify topics about which specific details are given in this unit
• these are the words which would formerly be included in the index at the back of a volume of text
• they will be used to create a linked, searchable index

Key words versus Index words

• key words are more general and describe the major theme(s) covered by individual units
• index words are more specific and identify where details can be found
• for example, a unit on map projections may have the following:
• key words: map projections
• index words: map distortion, UTM, conic projections, cylindrical projections, equal area projections

5. Prerequisite units

• each author is asked to consider which units in the current unit outline should be taught prior to the one being submitted
• this information will be used to construct a web of relationships and to attempt to clarify which units should be treated at fundamental levels

6. Subsequent units

• authors may also identify which units should follow this one
• these may be existing or not-yet-identified units

7. Other contributors to this unit

• list the names of any people who helped with the development of this unit
• this section can include links to other contributors' homepages

8. Revision history

• a revision history will be maintained for each unit so that frequent visitors will be able to determine if the unit has been revised since they last visited
• if authors or editors wish to submit a revised version of a unit already posted, the revision metadata form should be used.

Revision history for Format Unit

• 6 June, 1996 - unit originally created during the Virtual Geography Department summer workshop at University of Texas Austin.
• 11 July 1996 - changed a few words for clarity
• added some links to related files
• added additional formatting details in section 3 - Preparing HTML materials
• added sections 3.4 - Equations and 3.5 - Indexing
• rewrote section 5 - Submitting draft units
• 5 August 1996 - minor modifications to format and tables of contents
• 8 August 1996 - added note about frames in section 2.1
• added Summary, Section 6
• 21 May, 1997 - unit entirely revised to address implementation details
• links made to u013 (Coordinate Systems Overview) as demonstrations of specifications.
• 21 October 1998 - revisions made to reflect the fact that this file is no longer required and to eliminate reference to a metadata input form.