Michelle,

I still am not sure whether the University of Utah is ready to announce their xEAD tool, but it is currently publicly available at https://lsta.lib.byu.edu/lstawiki/index.php/XEAD_Project. The application opens an EAD file in its buffer, allowing users to manipulate the data and then resave (see the disclaimers on the page for its use). It is relatively specific to our state best practice guidelines, but may be useful to others depending on their use of EAD.

Thanks,

Cory Nimer
Manuscripts Cataloger/Metadata Specialist
Brigham Young University
1108 HBLL
(801) 422-6091

-----Original Message-----
From: Encoded Archival Description List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michele R Combs
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 9:03 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: EAd authoring tools

Hello List --

I'm in the process of compiling a list of tools that make authoring (or updating) EAD simpler/easier.  I'm already aware of the items listed at http://www.archivists.org/saagroups/ead/tools.html, the web-based templates used by OAC, and the add-ons for NoteTab.  I'm also aware of the various database options that output EAD, such as Archon and AT, but what I'm specifically looking for are examples of tools that simplify the *direct* authoring/editing of EAD files.  These might be as simple as a css style sheet for XMetaL that masks the complexity of the raw EAD so it's easier to fill in the content, or as sophisticated as Justin Banks' XForms tool.  A while ago someone posted a link to a video about how to use Excel and MailMerge for long inventories -- very inventive.  Any and all such tools are of interest, though of course the easier it would be for someone else to pick up and use, the better.

Thanks in advance --

Michele

(be green - don't print this email!)
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Michele Combs
Manuscripts Librarian
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Ave.
Syracuse, NY  13244
315-443-2081
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