the process dispatcher 18 have been completed the file is available for reading from the file database 16 and different formats of the file are available through the virtual file system 24 and remote interface 30 while its metadata information is also available through both the virtual file system 24 and the remote interface 30 in order to track the files which are stored in the file database 16 a directory list of files which are stored in the database 16 are dynamically generated from the database or is created updated in the object model 12 so that when a user requests to view the metadata information of a previously stored file the object model 12 may quickly retrieve the requested list of metadata information for display to the user in operation when the user wishes to access the metadata information via the remote interface 30 the graphical user interface 34 is displayed on the user 39 s computer the graphical user interface 34 preferably comprises of a set of tools for searching browsing and manually entering metadata information navigating file relationships and managing tasks and projects it will be understood that other functionality may be provided by the gui 34 which assists a user in searching managing viewing manipulating and protecting metadata information in the present embodiment the graphical user interface 34 comprises means for selecting or entering a file name or search string 38 which allows the.