File Extension METADATA

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METADATA File Extension Description

In its simplest terms, metadata is data about data. A metadata file contains information about information.

One of the better known metadata file extension has a slightly longer file extension name: METADATA_NEVER_INDEX. This particular file is specific to the Macintosh. Inside this file is data about the data that should never be indexed. Essentially, it contains instructions telling the operating system not to index a particular folder or partition on the hard drive.

Users may want to create a file with this particular METADATA file extension so that the particular folder or partition is not indexed which is a slow and time-consuming operation.

For example, if you have a Macintosh computer that has a partition for Windows and don’t want Spotlight to index the Windows partition, adding a METADATA_NEVER_INDEX file to the Windows partition will greatly increase the computer’s performance since indexing takes up valuable system resources.

To create a METADATA_NEVER_INDEX file, use Terminal to create a blank file, naming it METADATA_NEVER_INDEX. This file should go in the root directory, volume, or folder that you are restricting from Spotlight. In fact, this file must be at the top of the hierarchy - not in a subfolder.

Metadata files don’t always end with the file extension METADATA. For example, the ArcView Metadata Collector application is used to collect and view metadata in ArcView.

If you have a METADATA file that you are unsure about, try opening it first with a text editor as it may be a text file. Keep in mind that the file may be useless without the related application. For example, as data about data, your METADATA file may contain map coordinates. However, without the mapping software, this information is likely useless.

• Properties:

• Common Path:
  various
• Associated Applications:
  unknown

Additional METADATA File Info:

N/A, METADATA File Created by: N/A

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