[Archon-L] Digital library major problems

[Chris Prom]

John,

I woule just add in addition to what Kyle says below that we 
would like to redo the interface for the staff side of the the 
digital library.  That is a potential summertime project for us. 
Certainly some of the issues you mention were already high on my 
own personal list of desired changes.

If several people from the list would like to volunteer to be 
part of a small advisory committee, it would be helpful to us, so 
that we can end up with the best possible result.

Thanks,

Chris

--

Christopher J. Prom
Assistant University Archivist
University of Illinois Archives
19 Library
1408 W. Gregory Dr.
Urbana, IL 61801

phone:	217.333.0798
fax:	217.333.2868
e-mail:	prom at uiuc.edu
web:	http://web.library.uiuc.edu/ahx

On Mon, 12 May 2008, Kyle Fox wrote:

> On May 6, 2008, at 5:52 PM, Scott Schwartz wrote:
>>> 
>>> I just upgraded to version 2.10 and have been trying again to figure
>>> out how to use the digital library manager. I found some significant
>>> bugs. After entering 7 scanned photos (a few with the backs also
>>> scanned), I found that the digital library lost the “detailed
>>> description” field on most of them. On the last one I entered, it
>>> would only let me upload one scan; the second uploaded file just
>>> disappeared whenever I clicked update, as did the detailed description.
>
> Would it be possible to give me a series of steps that replicate your error? 
> I'm able to update the description field fine on my installation. Also, 
> please specify which update buttons you are pressing. The one under the files 
> updates only the files and the one at the bottom of the Digital Library 
> Manager updates everything except for the files, creators, subjects, and 
> languages.
>>> 
>>> - why can’t you go to the Digital Library Manager directly from the
>>> Content Manager?
>
> I'm this is a bug. It will be fixed for the next release and if I finish 
> writing up the fix today I'll send it off in another reply.
>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> - why is it necessary to select the collection, folder, etc. for each
>>> digital item entered (instead of having it remain the same when you’re
>>> entering a whole series of digital items)?
>
> This comes down to deciding which way is better. Sometimes having it remember 
> the folders is annoying because you'll end up having to change everything 
> again anyway if you actually want a new collection. I guess we'll just go 
> with what more people would find convenient. I might put a poll up on the 
> forums or something.
>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> - Why is it necessary to click update for each individual file linked
>>> to a digital item? Why not allow uploading/linking multiple files, say
>>> a folder of files?
>
> We'll consider what we can do about this.
>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> - Why do you need to click update after each file name before entering
>>> other information? (If you fill in the file name field and then go
>>> enter the detailed description with first clicking update, the file
>>> name field is blanked out.)
>
> The two update buttons do different things as explained above. We'll change 
> the text in at least one of them to help prevent confusion in the future.
>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> - Why is it necessary to enter a title twice? Why have a title at all?
>>> Why not just default to the uploaded file name, for example?
>
> I think defaulting would be a useful feature if somebody neglects to enter a 
> title on their own, but custom titles are useful if you want something more 
> descriptive then a numbered jpg or if somebody uploads two files with the 
> same name.
>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> - Why is it necessary to click “add” before you can enter the URL or
>>> file name, detailed description, and other fields? Why not have these
>>> all on one screen with one add/update click?
>
> We'll put the detailed description section in with new content. The other 
> fields are updated by the api by using id numbers that don't exist until 
> you've saved a piece of content at least once.
>
>
>
> I'm afraid I'm going to be out of the country for a couple weeks, but few 
> free to send replies and hopefully somebody still here can offer advice.
>
> ---
> Kyle Jordan Fox
>
>
> Senior in Computer Science
> Lead Developer - Archon Simple Archival Information System
> Tour Manager/Internet Officer - Varsity Men's Glee Club
> -
> University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign
>
> <kylefox2 at uiuc.edu>
>
>
>