The University of New Mexico purchased a license of TEXTML Server for the elaboration of an online archive project, the Rocky Mountain Online Archive, based on the EAD standard. EAD, Encoded Archival Description, is XML standard for the encoding of electronic finding aids.The Northwest Digital Archives has employed TEXTML as its database solution since late 2003. The Phase I database load and the development of its search/retrieval system occurred during 2004. In early 2006, an improved search/retrieval/presentation application written in VB.NET/ASP.NET was moved to production. A number of other enhancements have been created for NWDA use, including OAI-PMH data provider support. Another round of document loading, supported by the NEH, is currently underway.
In addition to purchasing TEXTML Server, the University of New Mexico has mandated IXIASOFT to fully develop and deploy the solution on-site.This option (IXIASOFT application development) wasn't available when TEXTML was licensed for NWDA use in 2003. All of the NWDA development activities described above were performed at WSU using NWDA project funds. That will be an interesting compare/contrast: the quality of the locally-developed work versus that of a database vendor-developed approach.
But given TEXTML's use as an OEM solution and its corporate/government customer base, I'm elated to see other universities and archives using the product, particularly to support EAD.
