Hi all, We'd like to have a data format for exchanging previously collected metadata on removable devices, and storing it on the removable device.
This is a first proposal that I have written down. http://live.gnome.org/MetadataOnRemoveableDevices The proposal uses the Terse RDF Triple Language (Turtle) which is a widely known format for storing RDF triples and designed as the successor of N-Triples and Notation 3. The proposed format restricts the shape of the records. I added a predicate for removed records too. The specification clarifies conflict resolution. It makes it possible to have a duplicate/new triple for a URI at the end of the file. Why (at the end of the file)? Because then you can append newest data without having to rewrite the entire file. Which is useful for appending latest changes just-in-time before the unmount event. You can compare it with a progressive JPEG. As you go over the file, you fix up older material with newest material. I have added an advisory for periodically cleaning up the metadata file (compressing it) in a correct way. For example if you are certain the user will keep the removable device in the machine for a few seconds, you can do a periodical compressed rewrite of the .ttl file. I plan to throw this proposal to for example the Xesam initiative too. But let's get something implemented in Tracker first, as a proof of concept. Suggestions are welcome. -- Philip Van Hoof, freelance software developer home: me at pvanhoof dot be gnome: pvanhoof at gnome dot org http://pvanhoof.be/blog http://codeminded.be _______________________________________________ tracker-list mailing list tracker-list@gnome.org http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/tracker-list