DB/Text WebPublisher PRO - FAQ
DB/Text WebPublisher PRO offers many opportunities for improving the
way you work! Here are answers to some of the questions we are asked
about this product.
What technology is being used?
Data can be added to a database using several methodologies:
- Web forms generated straight out of DB/TextWorks
- XML and SOAP (an industry standard data exchange protocol)
- ODBC (another industry standard, in this case using Inmagic's custom
driver)
- PowerPack Importer
What could WebPublisher PRO be used for?
There are many, many different possible scenarios. Some would require
some programming to implement and others can be set up with very little
technical know how. If you have an idea, ask us! A few of the obvious
uses for web based input are:
- order forms or research request forms submitted straight into a
database (let your users do the typing!)
- take this to the next level with requests entered directly into
your orders database from a shopping cart in your catalog
- easy cataloguing of resources by anyone whether on an intranet or
the internet. Ideal for cataloguing satellite collections. (Set up
a status field to only show new and edited records after they have
been approved by an Administrator.)
- self checkout of loans (no need to leave DB/TextWorks running)
- directories where members can login and update their own records
- online surveys
- webblogs
How easy is it to set up web based data entry and edit forms?
WebPublisher PRO provides all the functions required to set up web based data
entry and editing without any knowledge of coding or HTML.
Are there any demos available?
Andornot has been involved with many projects using both ODBC and XML
for use with WebPublisher. Check out our section of
add-ons and other components to
enhance the standard functionality of WebPublisher PRO.
Why is XML becoming so important?
As the leading data exchange protocol, XML will allow for tighter integration
with other applications, for example merging records in DB/TextWorks
databases with other data using federated searches, allowing the automatic
import of XML news feeds, or generating XML output for use by portal
software.
What resources are available for learning more about XML?
The World Wide Web Consortium has a nice summary
of the 10 most important concepts. There are also many XML specific
websites with tutorials. An interesting listing of applications includes
links to implementations for use with MARC, EAD and other subject or
industry specific standards.
Library specific resources include:
- "XML Under the Hood” Scharf, Davida. Information Outlook,
Vol. 6, no. 12, December 2002
- "How Does XML Help Libraries?" Banerjee, Kyle. Computers
in Libraries 22(8) p. 30-35 (September 2002) (http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/sep02/Banerjee.htm).
- "XML and Bibliographic Data: the TVS (Transport, Validation
and Services) Model." By Joaquim Ramos de Carvalho (IHTI Faculdade
de Letras, Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal) and Maria Inês
Cordeiro (Art Library, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Portugal).
Paper prepared for the 68th IFLA General Conference and Council 'Libraries
for Life: Democracy, Diversity, Delivery', August 18-24, 2002, Glasgow,
Scotland. 13 pages, with 44 references. (http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla68/papers/075-095e.pdf)
- Roy Tennant, ed. “XML in Libraries.” New York. Neal-Schuman
Publishers, 2002. 175 pp.
- XML4Lib
- an electronic discussion list on XML and its use in libraries.
Contact us for price quotes and to discuss how DB/Text
WebPublisher PRO could help you
.
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