Imaging, Web access, & data standards

  
Digital imaging with Argus

Integrating Images

Tools for scanning and viewing images have allowed all collection management systems to offer services in digital imaging. No vendor can provide "better" images than another. Differences between vendors are a matter of how they assist with the management of an imaging project, and how well they integrate new technologies. Questor has concentrated on the human resources aspect of imaging by making it easier for non-specialists to integrate images with their collection records.

With the introduction of QScan in 1987 followed by QScan32 in 2001 Questor took the lead in helping museums integrate large numbers of images in a cost-effective way. Several museums using Argus are close to having their entire collections fully documented with digital images. This can only be done by controlling the processes that surround image acquisition and integration. Because hundreds of dollars can be saved in a large imaging project by reducing the amount of time required to scan, retrieve, and format images, we have made input as efficient as possible.

Image display is fully integrated with Argus. Images are displayed with Object, Site, Activity, or Lexicon records. Argus allows multiple images to be associated with any given record. All images can be displayed as small thumbnails or as full-size images, and can be stored as 16 million color , grayscale (with 256 shades of gray), or black and white document images. The only limits to the number of images that can be linked to any file are the limits of the computer hardware imposed by overall record size or hard disk space. When retrieving data from Argus, the results of a query can be displayed as images only or as records with associated images. An image can be printed by selecting print from the menu. Images may also be scaled and integrated with data to create attractive printed forms and reports.

QScan32 details

QScan32 is a highly specialized product designed for high-volume image capture. It allows non-experts to produce, process, and store high quality digital images at the lowest possible cost. It is designed to work with a large number of different image capture devices, and allows multiple devices to be attached to any particular capture station at the same time. Through compliance with TWAIN standard software protocols, QScan32 can take advantage of multiple devices attached to a capture station. TWAIN compliance allows QScan32 to support the most recent hardware developments for image capture, including flatbed scanners, slide scanners, video "grab" devices, and Kodak PhotoCD images from CD-ROMs. This gives institutions the flexibility of using any image medium available for their collection needs.

Any combination of resolutions may also be deployed from different servers to meet the needs of different audiences. QScan32 contains a variety of image manipulation tools. Cropping, final scanning, rotation of image, adjustment of color and intensity, and proper filing of images are all simplified with QScan32. Each of these items may be automatically set. The image can be simultaneously saved as an archive image and as an on-line JPEG image. Standard JPEG compression is employed and allows for control of the compression level. The resolution for both archive and zoom images may be specified by the client. Any size image may be captured. Capture specifications can be defined by image size or resolution. Images can be scanned at any level of resolution supported by the image capture hardware. QScan32 automatically scales the images to selected format sizes while preserving the aspect ratios. All these parameters can be set so the operator simply scans, crops, and saves; all other steps happen automatically.

QScan32 has "setups" where the image properties for a particular kind of scanning may be stored and invoked by a simple mouse click. This enables the user to define a number of different scenarios so that the operator does not have to remember or make decisions. This allows different classes of material, in addition to different items within a class, to be handled in a variety of ways. For example, historic prints may be scanned at a different resolution than copy prints, and a particular collection may be scanned differently from the rest. Setups ensure consistency and simplify operations for non-technical users. QScan32 automatically prompts the operator to assign object IDs to images. The link between object and image is verified by reviewing the synopsis field, which contains a brief description of the object. The same prompt appears when linking an image to an activity, site or lexicon record.

QScan32 is completely integrated into Argus. The user can be doing data entry on an object, activity, lexicon, or site record, momentarily suspend data entry and quickly capture an image with the data entry window still open. Alternatively, the user can select the batch mode where scanning is done in large quantities, separate from data entry. The links between the images and the data records are all built automatically so that no user intervention is required. All other functions surrounding image management are automated. For example, the user is warned if the image storage directory is getting too full. The system is designed to store images on hard disks. No CD-ROM, WORM drives or "juke boxes" are necessary (although these devices may be used if you wish). While QScan32 is not designed to address offline archival storage it is something to consider when developing an imaging strategy. Multiple image capture stations can be employed, and the images do not need to be stored on a single image server.

   Web Access Module

Overview

The Web Access Module is designed to provide pictorial access and searching capabilities for collections, and to integrate museum data as a whole so that it can be searched by disparate audiences. The Web Access Module will run in both an Intranet and Internet environment. Typically, web server applications are hosted on a dedicated server to provide optimum security. Data replication strategies can enhance the transfer of data from the Argus server to the web server. This has no effect on the user licenses or the underlying Argus database.

The Web Access Module is designed to be a component of an institution's website. It does not replace your current website, but rather enriches it with a user-friendly interface for simple searching as well as complex research needs. This allows the institution to display its collections without placing additional burdens on staff.

Like Argus itself, the Web Access Module allows the institution to customize the interface and configuration. Fonts, colors, icons and search options are all under the control of the institution. The Web Access Module's pictorial tour creates on-line exhibitions. Simply select the objects you want to display, determine what information from the records you want to display, and your exhibit is ready. Use the pictorial browsing mode for highlighting special collections and items of interest. The Web Access Module's search wizard provides the full power of lexicon-assisted searching in an interface so easy that anyone can use it. Now everyone from grade-school children to academics can easily access information about your collections.

The search wizard allows users to create an unlimited number of different searches. Attaching images to records accessible through the web module should cut down on requests to view items in the collection, and reduce staff workloads.

Internet access

The increased use of the Internet and Intranets by consumers and businesses has had a huge impact on data exchange and interoperability. The emergence of the http protocol, and new HTML and SGML mark-up languages, has forced reconsideration of interoperability strategies. It is clear that the Web is the environment in which much of this interoperability will take place, but it is not clear which data exchange protocol will win the day. Questor is using Internet technology as its foundation for the Web Access Module. This allows Questor to take full advantage of all protocols currently available and provides a flexible environment for incorporating emerging standards.

Z39.50 - While http and the Web develop as environments for interchange, vendors are still considering the implementation of ISO (International Standards Organization) standard Z39.50. Designed as a protocol which would allow any "compliant" database to query any other "compliant" database (even across different hardware environments - Mac to PC), Z39.50 is widely supported by the bibliographic community. Most library systems which are not SQL compliant can use Z39.50 for interoperability without having to reengineer their systems. At this point, no vendor in the museum market has integrated Z39.50 into their collections management systems, but several are involved in an initiative to do so.

Questor and interoperability

Questor is committed to bridging the gap between information systems and sees interchange and interoperability as a cornerstone of our strategic plan for the next decade, and as a primary feature of the Web Access Module. We closely monitor the emerging standards and the underlying development tools available to vendors for implementation. Questor fully supports the CIMI profile for Z39.50 and interoperability. As the development tools mature into useful products Questor will implement them in the Web Access Module.

   Compliance with data standards

Museum and cultural heritage information standards resource guide

Spectrum

The goal and scope of SPECTRUM, the guidelines of the Museum Documentation Association of the United Kingdom, are to describe: "… procedures for documenting museum collections and the processes they undergo". It also identifies the information that needs to be recorded to support those procedures.

Argus meets all the requirements of SPECTRUM. The primary focus of SPECTRUM falls into two categories: Procedures and Information Requirements. Each procedure identified in SPECTRUM may be configured in Argus Activities, and the corresponding SuperFields allow for the detailed management of each and every data element identified by the procedures (both at the Activity or Procedure level as well as at the Object level). The same holds true for the Information Requirements.

CIDOC

Developed by the International Committee for Documentation (CIDOC) from the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the CIDOC standard is a set of information categories that can be used when developing records about objects in museum collections. The CIDOC Information Categories consist of 22 categories, each having one or more discrete pieces of information recommended for use. An open design allows Argus to handle the CIDOC Information categories without special adaptation.

Association of Systematic Collections

In 1993, the Association of Systematic Collections released its "Report of the Biological Collections Data Standards Workshop, August 18-24, 1992". In this report, the committee provided an Information Model for Biological Collections. Questor has worked with the University of California, Berkeley, one of the committee co-chairs of the report, and with our natural science clients to ensure compliance to the ASC model.

TDWG subgroup on accession data

Standards for Biological Collections