Main -> Documentation -> WebZ System Administration -> WebZ Configuration Files -> ObiTopics.ini Configuration File

ObiTopics.ini Configuration File

 

Contents

Introduction

The ObiTopics.ini file defines the topics that are available in the WebZ Out-of-the-Box Interface (OBI). In addition, the file also defines a special Default topic that is used with custom topics (created by the user) and with Quick Search Topics. The sections and variables appearing in the ObiTopics.ini file are defined in the tables below. An ObiTopics.ini file example appears after the tables.

Note:  

Beginning with SiteSearch 4.1.2, it is possible to limit the number of databases in a custom topic. You set this limit in the maxtopicdbs variable in the [defaults] section of the interface style configuration file.

Document Conventions

  • <WebZ_root> is the location of your WebZ environment.

File Location

The ObiTopics.ini file is located in the <WebZ_root>/ini/interface directory of your WebZ installation.


Sections and Variables in ObiTopics.ini


[Topics]
Section

Variable

Description

topic<n>

OR, beginning with version 4.0.2:

topic*

Defines the name of a topic to include in the WebZ interface. Multiple topics are defined as topic1, topic2, topic3, and so on, or beginning with version 4.0.2, as topic*, topic*, topic*, and so on.

This variable is required for each topic you wish to display in the WebZ interface.

Note:

(1) For each topic listed in the [Topics] section, there must be a separate [topic definition] section in the ObiTopics.ini file.

(2) Do not include the Default topic in the [Topics] section.

(3) Beginning with version 4.0.2, you can use either numerals or asterisks to list topics, but do not mix the two; use either all numerals or all asterisks. For versions prior to 4.0.2, use numerals only.


[Topic Definition]
Section

The name of a topic definition section can be any combination of alphanumeric characters, but cannot contain spaces. Examples: [Articles], [Books], [HumanAffairs], etc. The name "Default" is reserved for use by the Default topic.

Variable
Description

longname

The name of the topic as you want it to appear in the WebZ interface.

This is an optional variable. If not specified, the name of the [Topic Definition] section itself is displayed in the interface.

dbgroup

Specifies the name of the group database used to provide cross-database search capability across the databases in the topic.

This is an optional variable. If not specified, the dbgroup defined for the Default topic is used.

Note:

(1) The value of this variable must match the value of the dbname variable in the group database configuration file.

(2) Typically, this variable is not included in the definition section for a Quick Search topic. Quick Search topics use the dbgroup defined in the Default topic.

dbname<n>

OR, beginning with version 4.0.2:

dbname*

Specifies the name of a database to include in the topic. Multiple databases are listed as dbname1, dbname2, dbname3, and so on, or beginning with version 4.0.2, as dbname*, dbname*, dbname*, and so on.

This is an optional variable, though you should include at least one database per topic.

Note:

(1) The value of this variable must match the value of the dbname variable in the database configuration file.

(2) There is no physical limit to the number of databases that can belong to a topic, but OCLC recommends that topics include a manageable (and relevant) set of databases.

(3) Beginning with version 4.0.2, you can use either numerals or asterisks to list databases, but do not mix the two; use either all numerals or all asterisks. For versions prior to 4.0.2, use numerals only.

disallowed<n>

OR, beginning with version 4.0.2:

disallowed*

Specifies the name of a database to exclude from the topic. Multiple databases are listed as disallowed1, disallowed2, disallowed3, and so on, or beginning with version 4.0.2, or as disallowed*, disallowed*, disallowed*, and so on.

This is an optional variable.

Use this variable when you want to prevent one or more specific databases from being added to the topic by the user (through topic customization in the WebZ interface). Typically, you should disallow a database if its index structure does not match (or is not supported by) the structure of the topic's group database (see dbgroup).

Note:

Beginning with version 4.0.2, you can use either numerals or asterisks to list disallowed databases, but do not mix the two; use either all numerals or all asterisks. For versions prior to 4.0.2, use numerals only.


[Default]
Section

The Default topic is a special topic in the ObiTopics.ini file that WebZ uses in cases when no dbgroup is defined for a topic, such as when a user creates a new, custom topic in the WebZ interface, or when the user searches a Quick Search Topic. The Default topic uses the same variables as a standard topic definition. There can be only one Default topic defined in the ObiTopics.ini file.

ObiTopics.ini File Example

# ObiTopics.ini

      
[Topics]
topic1=Articles
topic2=Books
topic3=Web
topic4=General
topic5=HumanAffairs
topic6=Culture
topic7=SciTech
topic8=Medicine
topic9=PhoneBooks
topic10=VirtualCatalog

      
# The description that is used to define a NEW TopicEntry
# or to combine history entries for a HistoryQuery.
# This is the info used if a topic is required
# but no user supplied name can be located.
[Default]
dbgroup = BaseGroup

      
[Books]
dbgroup = BaseGroup
dbname1 = WorldCat
dbname2 = Notis

      
[Web]
dbgroup = BaseGroup
dbname1 = NetFirst

      
[Articles]
dbgroup     = BaseGroup
dbname1 = ArtFirst
dbname2 = PapersFirst

      
[General]
longname     = General
dbgroup = BaseGroup
dbname1 = WorldCat
dbname2 = ArtFirst
dbname3 = NetFirst
dbname4 = AcadIndx
disallowed1 = ProCDBiz
disallowed2 = ProCDHome
[HumanAffairs]
longname     = Human Affairs
dbgroup = BaseGroup
dbname1 = ABII
dbname2 = Psyc
dbname3 = ERIC
disallowed1 = ProCDBiz
disallowed2 = ProCDHome
[Culture]
longname     = Culture
dbgroup = BaseGroup
dbname1 = ArtsHum
dbname2 = RILM
disallowed1 = ProCDBiz
disallowed2 = ProCDHome

      
[SciTech]
longname     = Science & Technology
dbgroup = BaseGroup
dbname1 = AppliSci
dbname2 = Inspec
dbname3 = Medline
dbname4 = Psyc
disallowed1 = ProCDBiz
disallowed2 = ProCDHome

      
[PhoneBooks]
longname     = Phone Books
dbgroup = PhoneGroup
dbname1 = ProCDBiz
dbname2 = ProCDHome
disallowed1 = WorldCat
disallowed2 = ABII
disallowed3 = AppliSci
disallowed4 = ArtFirst
disallowed5 = ArtsHum
disallowed6 = ContentsFirst
disallowed7 = ERIC
disallowed8 = FactSearch
disallowed9 = Inspec
disallowed10 = Medline
disallowed11 = FastDoc
disallowed12 = NetFirst
disallowed13 = PapersFirst
disallowed14 = Psyc
disallowed15 = RILM
disallowed16 = SocSciIndx
disallowed17 = Notis
disallowed18 = MultiLIS
disallowed19 = III
disallowed20 = GenBusIAC
disallowed21 = Ulist
disallowed22 = MedlineOvid
disallowed23 = GEAC_Advance
disallowed24 = Horizon
disallowed25 = DRA
disallowed26 = Sirsi

      
[Medicine]
longname = Medicine
dbgroup = BaseGroup
dbname1 = Medline
disallowed1 = ProCDBiz
disallowed2 = ProCDHome

      
[VirtualCatalog]
longname = Virtual Catalog
dbgroup = OPACGroup
dbname1 = DRA
dbname2 = Endeavor
dbname3 = III
dbname4 = GEAC_Advance
dbname5 = Horizon
dbname6 = Notis
dbname7 = Sirsi
disallowed1 = ProCDBiz
disallowed2 = ProCDHome

       

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