Pampering Uploaders: Easing the Metadata Upload Process

Digital Commons has done a pretty good job at keeping its metadata forms user friendly. First, the form should be as simple as we can make it. Hide metadata fields that are not needed for the document type at hand. Second, add fields that you need but other universities may not. Digital Commons’ support staff has no problem creating special fields for us. Third, use dropdown lists to pick options when options are limited and known. And fourth, make the most-often-chosen option into the readily visible default option. All of these will save time and cut down on confusion