Metadata attributes
BSCW objects have a number of metadata attributes that are either set by the user (e.g. name or description), or are set by the system (e.g. creation date or name of creator). Some types of objects have richer sets of metadata attributes than most others:
• Documents may be described and classified using attributes from a subset of the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set (such as “(DC) Title”, “(DC) Author” or “(DC) Language”). If support for storage and exchange of document encryption keys has been activated for your BSCW server, there are two additional metadata attributes for documents: “Key” and “Recipients”. These attributes are meant for documents with an according MIME type containing encryption keys. The “Key” attribute is meant for a description of the key and the “Recipients” attribute should list the users to whom the key has been sent, if any. For details, see 9.4 BSCW upload helpers and the online help of BSCW Desktop.
• Contacts are described by numerous metadata attributes concerning name, address, phone numbers, affiliation etc.
• Folders and documents may be classified using so-called tags, i.e. informally chosen keywords. Tags may also be used with blog entries.
All metadata attributes may be used in BSCW searches. The search form offers to include all attributes as search criteria.
Metadata attributes with values assigned are shown in a folder listing below the object entry and on the info page. Tags shown in a folder listing may be clicked on to initiate a search for objects with the same tag. In this case, the search domain is the smallest workspace containing the current folder, i.e. the workspace from which the current folder inherits its members.
In order to assign values to metadata attributes or to
change values already assigned, you select 
.
Enter values into the fields provided or change existing values. Delete values
of attributes that you do not need any longer. Values of date attributes should
be complete, i.e. should contain year, month and day. Best practice for
specifying users is to enter their user names as they are commonly shown in
BSCW.
Some attributes allow specifying multiple values by clicking [More values] next to the input field. In this case, values will have check boxes and a value will not be considered unless the respective check box is checked. You may delete values by unchecking the respective check boxes.
If your BSCW server is configured accordingly, you may also define your own attributes by entering the name and optionally the value of a self-defined attribute into the two empty fields below ‘Define your own attributes’. Click on [New attribute] to enter further user-defined attributes. User-defined attributes must have unique names. They are deleted by deleting their name. User-defined attributes may also be used in BSCW searches and are shown in folder listings and on info pages like other metadata attributes.
Figure 9: Info page with metadata attributes
Document attributes may also be assigned when documents are created or replaced by hitting the [More attributes] button in the respective action forms.