InfoTrac SearchBank Journal Holdings version 1

InfoTrac SearchBank Journal Holdings version 1.60 / 1.70 System Administration Reference Rev 1.1a

Revision note:

Holdings information can now be uploaded to IAC's servers so that the library's holdings information is made available to users accessing SearchBank via the web interface, and in the character interface where client version v2.51 or higher has been installed at the site. If the site is running the client v2.51 or higher, and the database file has been uploaded to the IAC servers, the holdings file does _not_ need to be transfered to the host running the client software.

A section has been added to section 3 of this document detailing the procedures for uploading holdings files to the IAC server.

Introduction

This document provides system administrators instructions for creating and maintaining journal holdings files for use with InfoTrac SearchBank's character and web based client/server. The document is made up of the following sections:

1. Software overview and system requirements

2. File description and organization

3. Setup and maintenance procedures

4. Technical support and product information

This document does not provide detailed instructions for the use of the Journal Holdings software; these can be found in the InfoTrac EF User's Manual and is available from IAC (see section 4).

1. Software Overview and System Requirements

The Journal Holdings program (EF_HOLD.EXE) is part of the InfoTrac EF program suite. With this program, users can browse the journal titles database, identify, or mark, those titles held in the library's collection and record holdings information for each title. A database is created which contains this holdings information and, when used with the SearchBank cooperative processing software (CPS), marks citations containing titles held by the library and displays details about the library's holdings. The database can also be uploaded to IAC's web server so that holdings information can be displayed in the web interface.

The program also contains other features described in the InfoTrac EF Users Manual, available from IAC (see section 4).

System Requirements

Computer IBM PC or compatible, 386 or higher Console Standard 101 keyboard, VGA monitor Storage HDD 2MB available for data and programs* FDD 1.44MB (3.5") Memory 512KB minimum available at run time OS MS DOS 5.0 or higher

-------- * Note that storage requirements increase as the number of journals "marked" increases, exceeding, in some cases, three megabytes. >>

2. File Description and Organization

Files are available from IAC on diskette or via anonymous FTP to IAC's FTP server (see section 4).

a. File list

HOLDINGS.EXE EF_HOLD EXE EF_PREF CFG JOURNALS DAT EF_PREF EXE EF_HOLD HLP EF_PREF HLP EF_HOLD DAT EF_HOLD BAK EF_HOLD.DOC

b. File description and organization

HOLDINGS.EXE

Self extracting .zip file containing all the files described below. Available only on the FTP server.

EF_HOLD.EXE

Journal Holdings program file. Version 1.60 released May 1995.

EF_HOLD.DAT/BAK

Journal Holdings data and backup file. This file contains collection, subscription and holdings information entered by the user(s). Also contains pointers to title records in JOURNALS.DAT (see below). The .BAK file is updated at the beginning of each session.

JOURNALS.DAT

Data file containing all journal title information used by Journal Holdings and InfoTrac EF client software. The same version of JOURNALS.DAT must be available on file systems supporting both Journal Holdings and the InfoTrac EF client software*.

EF_PREF.EXE/CFG

Preferences program and data file. Run this program separately to set feature options and system configuration.

Except for printer settings used by the EF_HOLD program, options set in EF_PREF will not affect InfoTrac EF running on the SearchBank client or web. Unless users plan to print journal lists from EF_HOLD, it is unnecessary to run EF_PREF (the 'factory' setting is for HP LaserJet II). The file EF_PREF.CFG must be present in the EF_HOLD program directory for the program to work properly.

EF_HOLD/EF_PREF.HLP

Program help files.

EF_HOLD.DOC

This document.

-------- * This file is updated periodically by IAC. The current version is available at the FTP server (see section 4). >>

3. Setup and Maintenance Procedures

In this section, we describe update and maintenance procedures for EF_HOLD.DAT and JOURNALS.DAT files on both MS DOS workstations and InfoTrac client platforms. Guidelines are provided for administrators supporting holdings databases for multiple sites. Instructions for uploading holdings to the IAC servers is also provided.

Sites that maintain one or more of IAC's InfoTrac CD ROM workstations may wish to use the journal holdings information already available on those systems. Instructions are provided below.

Complete instructions for using the Journal Holdings program are contained in the InfoTrac EF Users Manual, available from IAC (see section 4).

a. Setup

New installations

Users who have not already installed InfoTrac EF on their systems will need to obtain the Journal Holdings program files from IAC. These are available on diskette or from IAC's FTP server (see section 4). The files needed to run the holdings program are listed in section 2. File Description and Organization.

Copy the files into a directory on the PC's local hard disk (use of shared, network drives is not recommended). Run the holdings program by typing

EF_HOLD

and press <Enter>.

During program execution, a new data file, EF_HOLD.DAT, is created. Subsequent execution of the holdings program writes the current version of the EF_HOLD.DAT file to a backup copy called EF_HOLD.BAK. Changes made to the holdings information are written to EF_HOLD.DAT at the end of each session.

CD ROM installations

The Journal Holdings programs are included with InfoTrac's CD ROM products and can be used to create a holdings data file that is compatible with the SearchBank CPS and web interface. To use the EF_HOLD.DAT file from the CD ROM workstation, copy the file to the file system and directory used to run EF_HOLD for SearchBank holdings information. No other additions or modifications are required.

Prior InfoTrac2000/SearchBank installations

To upgrade to version 1.60 from earlier versions (e.g., 1.30 or 1.50), copy only the EF_HOLD.EXE file (found on the ftp server) to the directory used to run the EF_HOLD programs. No other additions or modifications are required.

b. Maintenance procedures

Once the EF_HOLD.DAT file has been updated on the PC, it must be copied to the file system used to run the SearchBank client software, or uploaded to the IAC servers. Separate instructions are provided below for users running the client software on their own UNIX or DEC VMS/Alpha clients, for those using IAC's "black box" servers, and for sites using web access.

UNIX clients

The EF_HOLD.DAT file should be copied to a subdirectory of the client software's home directory. In most cases, the directory structure will look like this

../iac/release2/holdings

The name of the file must match the server entry. In most cases, the name of the holdings file has already been entered at the server; you can call IAC technical support for the name(s) to use when copying the file to the file system. If you choose your own file name, you must forward the information to IAC technical support so that the server entries can be modified.

Make sure the file is "world" readable and writable by the file's owner. No execute permissions are required. For example, use the chmod command to set the file's permissions:

chmod 644 <file_name>.dat

DEC/VMS clients

The EF_HOLD.DAT file should be copied to the client software's home data directory. In most cases, the directory structure will look like this

<DRV>:[ITEF.ITEF2xx.ITEFDATA]

Make sure the file is "world" readable and writable by the file's owner. No execute permissions are required. For example, use the SET PROTECTION command to set the file's permissions:

SET PROTECTION=(owner:RW,world:R) <FILENAME>.DAT

IAC's UnixWare "black box"

You will need to contact IAC's technical support group when you are ready to copy the files onto the black box. Have the diskette available to insert into the computer's disk drive when calling; a member of IAC's support staff will log onto the host and copy the file to the appropriate directory.

Note: On many newer systems, an option has been installed as part of the ITmaint login that allows users to copy holdings data files to the host file system. Contact IAC technical support before using this feature to ensure it has been fully enabled on your host. This feature is available only on IAC's UnixWare hosts.

Web clients

Holdings information can now be uploaded to IAC's servers so that the library's holdings information is made available to users accessing SearchBank via the web interface, and in the character interface where client version 2.51 or higher has been installed at the site. If the site is running client software v2.51 or higher, and the database file has been uploaded to the IAC servers, the holdings file(s) does _not_ need to be transfered to the host running the client software.

Passwords are used to control access to the upload feature. You will need to contact IAC support (see section 4) to obtain the initial password used to upload holdings for your site.

To upload the holdings database to the IAC servers, a copy of the database file needs to be available on a PC with internet access, running Netscape v2.0 or higher. Begin the upload session by connecting your browser to the URL

www.searchbank.com/holdings/<locationID>

where <location ID> is the same one used by the library to connect to SearchBank. For example, if the library uses the SearchBank URL

www.searchbank.com/searchbank/kal_main

the upload URL would be

www.searchbank.com/holdings/kal_main

Once connected to this URL, the server will return a form requesting a password and path information to the file. Enter the password and path information as requested. The path information should be in the form <drive>:\<path>\<file_name>. For example:

c:\holdings\ef_hold

a:\ef_hold

Note that the filename does not need to be changed, as is often the case when loading the file onto a local Unix or VMS host. The holdings information will be available to users within approximately 24 hours after it has been successfully uploaded.

Notes:

If the same holdings database is used to track holdings information for multiple sites using different URLs (i.e., locationID), the file will need to be uploaded again, each time using the .../holdings/... URL and locationID for that site.

If multiple sites choose to maintain their own holdings database, each site must have a unique SearchBank URL and, consequently, must upload the holdings database using their own .../holdings/... URL and locationID. SearchBank will reference only one database file for each locationID. Separate holdings databases cannot be used for the same SearchBank URL.

4. Technical support and product information

IAC's Searchbank technical support staff can be reached at 800 227 8431, 7 am to 5pm Pacific. Journal Holdings information and support materials can be obtained by calling this number or sending email to

iacsupport@iacnet.com

Other support

Support staff and other users can be contacted by subscribing to the InfoTrac2000 discussion list. To subscribe, send email to

listproc@sales.iacenter.com

In the body of the message, enter the command

subscribe infotrac2000-l <your_first> <last_name>

Send messages to

infotrac2000-l@sales.iacenter.com

Our FTP server is located at

ftp.iacenter.com

Files are available in the directory

/anonymous_ftp/pub/iac/holdings

See the file AAAREADME.TXT for a list of files available for downloading. The Journal Holdings program files are contained in a self exploding zip file

HOLDINGS.EXE

Be sure to set 'binary' before transferring the file. Once you have copied the file to a DOS directory, type

holdings

and press Enter, to extract the program files.

Note: Journal Holdings programs distributed on diskette are ready to use and do not need to be 'unzipped'.

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