 |
SUPPORT PAGE |
| Index | By Volume | Windows XP Java Help |
Frequently Asked Questions
Title Composition
Catalog System
File Maintenance
[Q] Defining Bindery Parameters (in Phase I)
Help System
ABLEä Server
Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE)
Conventions
The following notational conventions are used in this document.
Menu: SubMenuOrItem This denotes a submenu or item SubMenuOrItem that can be accessed by first selecting Menu (e.g., to quit Microsoft's Internet Explorer, choose File: Exit).
What (specific) version of ABLEä 6.0 am I running?
[A] There are actually two ways you can find this out: on the login screen, the version number is displayed (e.g., ABLEä Library 6.01), or by choosing About ABLE from the Help menu, the version number should be displayed in the resulting dialog box (e.g., ABLEä Library 6.01).
How do I create variable prompts in the title composition screen's title text area (e.g., a title prompt)?
[A] Specifying text in the title composition's title text area as 'variable' text in ABLEä 6.0 operates much the same as specifying text as, say, BOLD in a word processing program: select the text that you want to be 'variable' using the mouse, then click the right mouse button. You should see a pop-up menu, with an item Variable. Selecting Variable will change any currently selected text to be variable indicated by a light blue color, as seen below.
If you wish to remove a variable, you may either:
· Select the variable text using the mouse, click the right mouse button, and choose the Normal menu item--the currently selected text should reverted back to normal text (indicated by a black color)--or,
· Select the variable text using the mouse, and delete the variable using the delete or backspace key.
[Q] Navigating the Title Text Area
How do I navigate through the title text area (it seems different than ABLEä 5.1)?
[A] ABLEä 6.0 handles navigating the title text area a bit differently than in ABLEä 5.1. In 6.0, one enters text in the title text area more like one would enter text in a blank document using a word processing program.
In 6.0, you can't use the cursor keys (like Up or Down) to place the cursor in an empty text area--you first have to strike the enter key till the cursor appears at the line you want to enter text at. But, once you've entered these 'blank' lines, you can navigate up or down through them using the cursor keys.
The same goes for placing the cursor within an empty row. To place the cursor in an empty row, you have to strike the space character until the cursor appears at the (column) position you want to begin entering text at. But again, once you've entered these 'spaces', you can navigate left or right through them using the cursor keys.
How do I search for a list of records (like the F5 key function in ABLEä 5.1)?
[A] In ABLEä 6.0, if you want to be able to do a search to retrieve a list of records, you have to make sure that Enable List Search is selected in the Setup: User Parameters menu. Then, if you enter a key and there is no direct match or there is a direct match with more than one item*, a list will be presented if there are records whose key begins with the key you entered. This list may look like the one shown below.
(Remember, though, that this only applies to non-numeric keys like text, private ID, ISSN/ISBN, and call number keys.)
*In the initial release, prior to version 6.01, there was a problem with direct matches with more than one item (it would retrieve only the first of the set, not a list).
Why is it that after retrieving a record, I can't type into the key field?
[A] This behavior was modeled after ABLEä 5.1, in which you either had to type F3 (CLEAR) or change the key mode in order to begin entering new key text. So, in ABLEä 6.0, to enter a new key, either change the key mode or choose the Clear button.
[Q] Adding or Deleting Collation Extras/Specials Rows
How do I add or delete rows from the Collation window's extras/specials table?
[A] In order to add new (empty) extra/special entries into the Collation window's extras/specials table, you can do a couple of things:
· Strike the Insert key (which should insert a new row),
· click the right mouse button (which should give you the option to choose New from the pop-up menu to give you a new row), or
· when the last column of the last row is hilighted in blue, strike the Enter key (this should also insert a new row).
Similarly, to delete a row:
· Strike the Delete key (which will delete the row currently selected), or
· click the right mouse button (which should give you the option to choose Delete from the pop-up menu to delete the row you right-clicked on).
Keep in mind, though, that the insertion and deletion of rows is subject to validation rules for extras/specials in title and item records.
[Q] ZLink Window Not Appearing
How come when I choose Alt-Z, the ZLink window doesn't come up?
[A] One (simple) possibility is that the catalog system is not enabled. Make sure that Setup: User Parameters: Enable Catalog System is selected (i.e., with a check next to it).
Another (not so simple) possibility is that a certain file cannot be found, one that is needed to display the ZLink window. To see if this is the case, type the following at an MS-DOS command prompt:
set | more
You should see a line similar to the following (but maybe not exactly like it):
CLASSPATH=c:\swing\swing.jar;c:\swing\windows.jar;c:\swing\zlink.jar
If your line doesn't include these three files
c:\swing\swing.jar
c:\swing\windows.jar
c:\swing\zlink.jar
then you need to edit your c:\autoexec.bat file and let us know at mailto:able_support@programmingconcepts.com. But, to do this, open c:\autoexec.bat for editing (e.g., with Notepad), and find the line that looks like
set CLASSPATH=…
(where … is some text). Change this line to
set CLASSPATH=c:\swing\swing.jar;c:\swing\windows.jar;c:\swing\zlink.jar
apply the changes, and then restart your machine.
Note: We have had some reports where the win command was present in the c:\autoexec.bat file; in particular, occurring before the set CLASSPATH command. Note that the win command is not necessary for Windows 95, 98, or NT, but if you still want to include in this file, make sure it appears after the set CLASSPATH command.
I want to connect with a Z39.50 server to import MARC data, but I don't know what information to fill in for a new database in the ZLink window.
[A] After choosing Add from the Database menu (in the ZLink) window, you're prompted for four parameters:
Pretty Name
Host
Port
Database
Pretty Name can be any name that you want to refer to this database as. Host can be the domain name (or IP address) of the Z39.50 server that you want to connect with. Port is the port number used with the host specified, and Database is the name of the database to search over with the host specified.
For example, for testing, you can try the Library of Congress LC Voyager Z39.50 test server, which means you would enter the following parameters for a new database (with Pretty Name set to any name you want):
Host ilssun2.loc.gov
Port 7090
Database Voyager
(You also have the option of entering the IP address 140.147.127.13 for Host if you prefer.) The above data was obtained at http://lcweb.loc.gov/z3950/lcserver.html.
A good resource for finding other Z39.50 servers to connect with can be found at http://www.indexdata.dk/targettest/targetstat.shtml (this is like an A to Z compilation).
Why do I get an error message when trying to connect to a database?
[A] There could be many reasons for this, but in order, check the following:
Are the Parameters Entered for the Database Correct?
Make sure the data you entered when creating the database in the ZLink window is correct. You could try the most recent Library of Congress test server to see if this is the problem (see ZLink Databases).
Is the Machine Connected to the Internet?
Make sure that you establish an Internet connection before attempting to use ZLink (ZLink will not attempt to make this initial connection for you). You could check that you are 'online' by using your web browser to check out a remote web site, e.g., http://www.programmingconcepts.com/able/.
Is it a Domain Name Server (DNS) Problem?
If you entered a domain name for Host when specifying the database, make sure your DNS isn't causing problems. You can avoid DNS services by specifying the IP address instead of the domain name (e.g., 140.147.127.13 versus ilssun2.loc.gov).
Is the Host Alive?
It's possible that the host may be down. In order to see if this is the case, type the following at an MS-DOS prompt:
ping -n 3 hostaddress
(where hostaddress is the domain name or IP address of the host you're trying to connect to). If the host is alive and routing is correct, you should see something like the listing below (the result of pinging IP address 140.147.254.1).
Pinging 140.147.254.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 140.147.254.1: bytes=32 time=80ms TTL=47
Reply from 140.147.254.1: bytes=32 time=70ms TTL=47
Reply from 140.147.254.1: bytes=32 time=71ms TTL=47
Is the Port Number Correct?
It's also possible that you have the incorrect port number specified in the database entry you created in the ZLink window. To see if anybody is even listening at that port, launch telnet, and choose Remote System… from the Connect menu. Enter the following parameters:
Host Name hostaddress
Port portnumber
Term Type ansi
(where hostaddress is the host you're trying to connect with, with port number portnumber). If the port number is correct, you should be able to connect (in which case, you can choose Disconnect from the Connect menu).
Why Still Can't I Connect?
At this point, you should contact us at mailto:able_support@programmingconcepts.com!
[Q] Importing with ZLink Gives Me Strange Results
Why is it that when I import MARC data using ZLink, the results I get aren't what I expected?
[A] The processing of MARC data goes through several stages before it actually appears in the title composition screen, and it is important to understand the order of these operations.
Phase I
As stated in the File Maintenance reference guide, operations are done in the following order (see further below for post-Phase I release information):
1. MARC field is placed into ABLEä field according to Editing parameter (e.g., Insert); If the MARC field is unavailable, the ABLEä field is used as it is.
2. Any truncation is then performed on field resulting from (1).
3. Any uppercase conversion is performed on above result from (2).
4. Any substitution (of spaces) is performed on above result from (3).
This gives (4) as the final result. So, depending upon which data is actually imported and how you have your catalog system mapping table set up, you may get results you didn't expect. A few examples follow below (for insertion editing, truncating on spaces).
Example 1
ABLEä Call field: DEF
MARC data: ABC 123
Step 1 (Editing): ABC 123DEF
Step 2 (Truncation): ABC
Result: ABC
Example 2
ABLEä Call field: DEF
MARC data: ABC-123
Step 1 (Editing): ABC-123DEF
Step 2 (Truncation): ABC-123DEF
Result: ABC-123DEF
Phase II (and Beyond)
But, the above only applies to Phase I. In Phase I, the order of operations has been changed to:
1. The MARC field is obtained (if unavailable, an empty string is used).
2. Any truncation is then performed on field resulting from (1).
3. Any uppercase conversion is performed on above result from (2).
4. Any substitution (of spaces) is performed on above result from (3).
5. Result from (4) is placed into ABLEä field according to Editing parameter (e.g., Insert).
The examples now become as shown below (with insertion editing, and truncating on spaces).
Example 1
ABLEä Call field: DEF
MARC data: ABC 123
Step 1 (Extraction): ABC 123
Step 2 (Truncation): ABC
Step 5 (Editing): ABCDEF
Result: ABCDEF
Example 2
ABLEä Call field: DEF
MARC data: ABC-123
Step 1 (Extraction): ABC-123
Step 2 (Truncation): ABC-123
Step 5 (Editing): ABC-123DEF
Result: ABC-123DEF
[Q] Defining Bindery Parameters (in Phase I)
How do I defined certain bindery parameters (e.g., cover colors, foil colors, etc.)?
[A] The actual insertion, modification (or deletion) of bindery parameters (codes using ABLEä 5.1 terminology) such as cover or foil colors is a file maintenance feature not yet implemented in ABLEä 6.0 (Phase I). In order to perform these operations during Phase I, you need to use ABLEä 5.1 file maintenance services. Please remember, though, (as mentioned in the Release Notes), not to run ABLEä 5.1 and ABLEä 6.0 at the same time!
[Q] Adding or Deleting Catalog System Mapping Table Rows
How do I add or delete rows from a mapping table?
[A] [This has been added to the documentation for ABLEä 6.01.]
In order to add new (empty) mapping entries into the table, you can do a couple of things:
· Strike the Insert key (which should insert a new row),
· click the right mouse button (which should give you the option to choose New from the pop-up menu to give you a new row), or
· when the last column of the last row is hilighted in blue, strike the Enter key (this should also insert a new row).
Similarly, to delete a row:
· Strike the Delete key (which will delete the row currently selected), or
· click the right mouse button (which should give you the option to choose Delete from the pop-up menu to delete the row you right-clicked on).
Can you just show me an example of using the catalog system?
[A] Here's a sample catalog system 'walk-through'.
Setting up the Mapping Table
Create a new mapping table (in Window: File Maintenance: Catalog System Mapping) under the name TEST (this should leave you with 1 blank row).
Then, enter this information (for rows that are marked with an asterisk (*), the ABLE Field in that row can be selected from the pull-down list):
ABLE Field |
MARC Field |
Editing |
Truncation |
Uppercase |
Substitution |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| * | Collection | [040d] | Replace | x | ||
| * | ISSN/ISBN | [050a][050b] | Replace | Space ( ) | x | |
| Title | [245a] | Replace | Colon (:) | x | Slash (/) | |
| Call | [050a][050b] | Replace | ||||
| Imp | [260a][260b][260c] | Replace | Slash (/) | |||
| Auth | [100a] | Replace | x |
(Remember that new rows can be created by right-clicking and choosing New.) When this is completed, your table should look like the one below.
Setting up the Z-Link Database
(Make sure the sure the catalog system is enabled in Setup: User Parameters: Enable Catalog System.) Then, create a new database (in Window: Catalog System), by choosing Add from the Database menu in the ZLink window. Here, enter:
Pretty Name TEST (LOC)
Host ibm2.loc.gov
Port 2210
Database OCAT
so it looks like the dialog box below,
and then click OK, and close the ZLink window.
Making the TEST Table Active
Make sure the table created above is active, by choosing it from Setup: User Parameters: Catalog Table, as shown below.
Creating a Format
Create a format with format ID TEST, and enter the following in the title text area:
t
c
i
auth
Then, make each of these 'variables' by selecting the word, right-clicking, and choosing Variable (they should all be blue, as shown further below). Finally, add this format using Update: Format: Add Format.
Importing MARC Data
Now, start with a (clear) title, then specify format TEST (so the t, c, i, and auth variables appear in the title text area).
Then, bring up the ZLink window (through Window: Catalog System), and choose the database TEST (LOC). Once connected, search for this criteria:
ISBN 0262111004
You should see in the search results a volume:
Futures past :, Koselleck, Reinhart.
Choose to import this.
The results I get in the title composition screen are shown below:
ISSN D16.8.K63313
Coll DLC
Title Text Area tFUTURES/PAST/
cD16.8.K63313 1985
iCambridge,/Mass./:MIT/Press,c1985.
authKOSELLECK, REINHART.
(Note that t, c, i, and auth are still variables in the title text area.) This can be seen below.
[Q] MARC Fields in Catalog System Mapping Tables
Where are valid MARC fields that I can use (when creating a mapping table)?
[A] A good introduction to MARC records (and the field and subfield codes they may contain) is at http://lcweb.loc.gov/marc/umb/.
If you don't have the patience for that, and just want to see what you can do with the catalog system, see Using the Catalog System.
If you're just looking for other valid codes (e.g., "I'm tired of importing [245a]!" ;), then one source for USMARC Bibliographic codes is at http://lcweb.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/ecbdhome.html.
Why to tooltips appear when the mouse is over a label (e.g., next to a text field), but no when over a the text field itself?
[A] This is simply by design.
Why is it that when I log into ABLEä 6.0, another instance of the ABLEä Server launches?
[A] This is actually the 'normal' behavior for the ABLEä Server. (On ABLEä 6.0 Standalone) one instance should be running before you log into the system, and once you successfully log in, you should notice another instance has been launched.
What version of the JVM am I running?
[A] You can find this out by going to an MS-DOS command prompt and typing
jview
The first line should display the version number; e.g.,
Microsoft (R) Command-line Loader for Java Version 5.00.3186
(The above version number, 5.00.3186, is actually the proper version number--the version of the JVM installed by the c:\swing\msjavx86.exe installer.)
Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE)
What version of IE am I running?
[A] If you have IE running, you can choose About Internet Explorer from the Help menu: there should be a full version number displayed, e.g., Version 4.72.3110.8. If the version starts with a 4, you're running what is commonly just referred to as IE 4, and if starts with a 5, then you're running what is (similarly) referred to as IE 5.
How do I enable the Java Console?
[A] In order to enable the Java Console, perform the following steps:
1. Launch IE,
2. (if using IE 4) go to the View menu, select Internet Options..., or (if using IE 5) go to the Tools menu, select Internet Options...,
3. choose the Advanced tab,
4. scroll towards the bottom of the list till you see a Java VM category, and
5. make sure Java console enabled (requires restart) is selected; this should look something like the following below.
6. Then, click OK, and restart IE.
[Q] Saving Text from the Java Console
How do I save text from the Java Console window?
[A] It's not obvious, but you first have to select the text that you want (using the mouse), and then use the Ctl-C key combination to copy the selected text. Then, you can paste this text somewhere where you can save it.
Index
Volumes
The ABLEä Reference Guide is comprised of multiple volumes. The collection of volumes describes the functional and operational characteristics of ABLEä. The volumes are:
Volume |
Reference Guide |
File Name |
1 |
r6-intro.htm |
|
2 |
r6-library-user.htm |
|
3 |
r6-user.htm |
|
4 |
r6-title.htm |
|
5 |
r6-style.htm |
|
6 |
r6-report.htm |
|
7 |
r6-control.doc |
|
9 |
r6-maint.htm |
|
10 |
r6-transfer.htm |
|
12 |
r6-emboss.htm |
|
13 |
Help – Problem Solving |
r6-help.htm |
15 |
r6-bill.htm |
|
16 |
r6-pm.htm |
|
19 |
r6-s3.htm |
|
20 |
r6-linstall.htm |
|
23 |
r6-ftp.htm |
|
24 |
r6-alink.htm |
|
25 |
r6-zlink.htm |
|
26 |
r6-ilslink.htm |
|
27 |
R6-file-import.htm |