DOI (was: SIMILE PI Call, 27-July-2003, 1200 EST / 1700 BST)

Relevant to our discussion of DOIs, see the following recent Dlib article by
Norman Paskin:

http://www.dlib.org/dlib/june03/paskin/06paskin.html

D-Lib Magazine
June 2003 Volume 9 Number 6

ISSN 1082-9873
DOI: A 2003 Progress Report
Norman Paskin, Director, International DOI Foundation

The following snip is useful:

<snip>
The DOI System has four components:

1. Numbering: assigning an alphanumeric string (a number or name) to the
intellectual property entity that the DOI identifies. DOI is an implementation
of URI (Uniform Resource Identifier, sometimes-called Universal Resource
Identifier) and URN (Uniform Resource Name). The numbering mechanism follows a
syntax standardised as ANSI/NISO Z39.84-2000. The number may incorporate any
existing identifier scheme (thereby retaining its construction, check digits,
etc.) though for the purpose of the DOI System the string is "opaque" or
meaningless. DOIs are not case-sensitive and have no fixed field length.

2. Description of the entity that has been identified with a DOI, through
associated metadata. The DOI Metadata System is based on the <indecs>
framework. The metadata available with an entity may be derived from many
different metadata schemes; the metadata elements needed in a particular
transaction depends on the nature of the transaction; some metadata is likely
to be common to all applications and essential for initial recognition. From
these principles developed the concept of a small kernel of metadata
(compulsory for every DOI) and extended Application Profiles (specific to a
group of DOIs) as well as the view that these should be interoperable (so that
DOIs and services can be mixed and used from various sources) through common
controlled definitions in a structured data dictionary (which enables mapping
of existing metadata schemes).

3. Resolution: the Internet technologies that make the identifier "actionable"
on digital networks, by providing resolution services. These are currently
based on the Handle System, a general-purpose distributed information system
designed to provide an efficient, extensible, and secured global name service
for use on networks such as the Internet. The Handle System includes an open
set of protocols, a namespace, and a reference implementation of the
protocols. The DOI System is one implementation of the Handle System.

4. Policies: the rules that govern the operation of the system, in a social
infrastructure. The social infrastructure defines the funding and ongoing
operational requirements of the system as well as its day-to-day support and
management.

These four components are used elsewhere: for example, there are other
implementations of URIs, Handle identifiers, <indecs> metadata principles, and
organisation policies; but DOI is unique in bringing together all the
components in a fully implemented and managed system.

</snip>

| John S. Erickson, Ph.D.
| Hewlett-Packard Labs
| Norwich, Vermont USA
| john.erickson@hp.com

Received on Monday, 30 June 2003 15:59:52 UTC