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 InSite, October 1999
 4.1 Release Notes

Record Builder
Tom Miller, Open SiteSearch Documentation


In SiteSearch 4.1.0, Database Builder includes a new application, Record Builder. Record Builder is an end-user application built on WebZ technology that harnesses Database Builder's administrative utilities to allow the creation, modification, and maintenance of Newton searchable databases for local collections of such things as images, sound files, Web sites, and data. Through its own pre-built Web interface, Record Builder offers an alternative to batch updating by providing cataloguers a way to add, modify, and delete single records online using a variety of predefined templates and workforms. The Database Builder installation automatically installs Record Builder, but its use is optional.

In a SiteSearch environment that includes Record Builder, a single OpServe manages both WebZ and Record Builder. Record Builder has its own Web server port and Web server extension, JaSSI and ZBase servers (JaSSIRB and ZBaseRB), and Access server (AccessServerRB), and a Lock server. This is the usual configuration, although it is possible to set up Record Builder-only environment.

Web Servers for Windows NT with Record Builder
If you are using the Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) as your Web server, it is not possible to run WebZ and Record Builder simultaneously on a single machine. Your options are to:

  • Use Netscape as your Web server, which will allow you to run WebZ and Record Builder simultaneously on the same machine
  • Use IIS as the Web server for a WebZ-only environment and Netscape as the Web server for a Record Builder-only environment or a WebZ/Record Builder environment
  • Use Netscape as the Web server for a WebZ-only environment and IIS as the Web server for a Record Builder-only environment
  • Use IIS as the Web server for a WebZ-only environment on one machine and IIS as the Web server for a Record Builder-only environment on another machine
  Note: Netscape Web servers are free to sites in an academic environment

Databases
SiteSearch 4.1.0 includes four sample Record Builder databases and accompanying templates and workforms:

Database Description In OBI, Version 1 Database List
ARCH Replacement for color archive database (CARC) provided in SiteSearch 4.0.x versions Yes
DC Demonstrates cataloging Internet resources using the Dublin Core metadata element set. No
ERES Electronic Reserve database, as in SiteSearch 4.0.x versions Yes
MARCCat Demonstrates cataloging in MARC format with templates for a variety of media, including musical scores, sound recordings, and computer files. No

Structure of <WebZ_root>/dbbuilder/dbs Directory
As in SiteSearch 4.0.x versions, there is a subdirectory for each database in <WebZ_root>/dbbuilder/dbs. Under the database's directory, such as <WebZ_root>/dbbuilder/dbs/eres, there are additional files and directories:

<WebZ_root>/dbbuilder/dbs also contains a new /save directory.

Configuration
Record Builder has its own configuration files; the files are analogous to those in a WebZ-only environment. To distinguish these files, their names end with "_rb" . For example, JaSSIServer.ini pertains to a WebZ-only environment and JaSSIServer_rb.ini pertains to a SiteSearch environment that includes both WebZ and Record Builder.

You specify the configuration files for the databases that you plan to manage with Record Builder in Record Builder's databases_rb.ini file. These database configuration files use the same format as other SiteSearch database configuration files. If you want your patrons to view the databases you manage with Record Builder in your WebZ interface, you must include these databases in databases_ini, and create database configuration files for them.

Start-up Scripts
There are also new scripts for starting Record Builder. The apache_rb script starts the Apache Web server running on the port designated for Record Builder. The ssadmin_rb script starts all the servers necessary for a SiteSearch environment that includes both WebZ and Record Builder.

Interface
The Record Builder interface (designated Version 0) has its own HTML files, interface style files, and interface display gadgets configuration file, and uses the rules-based formatting introduced in SiteSearch 4.1.0. Its interface style files are built around a base style. The HTML files reside in <WebZ_root>/htdocs/rbv0. This directory also has a number of subdirectories. The .ini files reside within the standard configuration file structure in separate /rbv0 subdirectories.

Java classes
There are Java classes specific to Record Builder in a new class package, ORG.oclc.mantis.

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