Re: Library System

[Dan Brosemer <odin@skirnir.cleannorth.org>]

On Mon, Feb 05, 2001 at 10:11:34AM -0500, default wrote:
> Hi Dan!
> 
> We've run into a bit of a snag and we hope you can help us.
> 
> For the purposes of doing an audit and recataloguing existing items, we
> need to either:
> 
> 1.    access the existing records in call number order;

I can't think of a way to do this immediately (which doesn't mean I won't
come up with a way later).

The problem is that there are call-numbers such as V13... how does that
compare to 13.2? or OWMC302 or GREEN TEA (or even GREAN TEA).  If you can
suggest a way of ordering that mess, I'll implement this feature in a day.
Otherwise, I'll give it some more thought... maybe I can come up with
something.

Best way I can think of right now would mix in 1014 with 10.13, 10.14, and
10.15.  It'd be messy, but it might work for the bins.

> 2.    do a data dump and then manually match call number to item;
> 3.    access a flat file and then match computer record number to call
> number / item number.

I could modify either of those to be less time-consuming/annoying by giving
you a output grouped by call numbers like '12.1-12.99', '10.2-10.90',
'100-803', and 'Messed Up'.

> Obviously, we do not want to do either of the last 2 since both are
> extemely labour intensive and time consuming.

And error-prone.  I agree.

> We took a look at doing this with the 'next' function which you set up
> for us, but realized that this pulls by data input next as opposed to
> call number next.  This will be useful farther along in the project but
> it does not solve our immediate problem.

Yes.  Makes sense.

> Is the first possible?  We would only need this until we complete our
> audit - at which time we will notify you and you could disable this
> function.

Disable it at the only time that it actually makes sense? :)

Q:  Why?  Do you need this to delete old records?  Do you need this if you
pull an item off the shelf, you want to find its record quickly?  Please
explain.  I may be able to come up with an even better solution.

PS:  Please change your 'From:' address in your netscape settings.  This
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PPS:  The list addresses are all 'listname@lists.cleannorth.org', not
'listname@cleannorth.org'.  The former is depricated (will work now, but is
unlikely to work inf the future).  Also, this kind of question is offtopic
on the 'techies' list (I've CC'd it there to terminate the thread, any
replies to this should remove it from the CC list), and on-topic for the
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'web-devel@lists.cleannorth.org'.

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-Dan