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There are several key benefits when a mature ARK to having metadata, which is strongly recommended for all ARKs that are mature (no longer under development) and released into the world has basic metadata that is retrievable by resolving . The standard way to retrieve the metadata is to resolve the ARK with a '?' or '??' appended to it.
First, no matter what the ARK redirects to, whether landing page or PDF file, it permits metadata gives the user to obtain further information about the object, such as a description, other versions, etc. This functionality is unavailable to DOIs, which In contrast, so as make sure metadata is available, DOIs are required to redirect to landing pages (consistent with common publisher practice) , and prohibited from linking directly to object content.
Second, it shores up the persistence of the binding between the ARK string and the identified object. Object access is the primary assertion of that binding, metadata confirms that assertion, and any discrepancy between the two helps to detect unauthorized tampering with the The primary assertion of the binding is the experience of resolving the identifier to the object. A secondary, confirming assertion of the binding is the experience of resolving to its metadata. Any discrepancy between the the metadata and the object helps to detect changes in that binding.
Third, providing access to metadata demonstrates basic provider commitment, adding . This adds credibility to the seriousness of the its intentions . Not since not every object provider can return object metadata. Finally, adding basic metadata, especially for objects that don't have textual representations, makes your objects more findable.
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