[Isis-users] ABCD - we need beta testers for the new release

[De Smet Egbert]

Dear all,

I would like to briefly comment and add some information to the message below from Ernesto, i.e. on the concept and planning for version 2.0 of ABCD.

First of all, we hope that with the intermediate version 1.2 we will have solved most urgent problems, like smaller bugs but also compatibility with PHP5.3.
For version 2.0 we envisage some more far-reaching changes, based mostly on one principle : different databases can use different versions of the underlying CISIS utilities.
Let me explain : 
- we are preparing a UNICODE-version of CISIS, which can deal with non-Latin scripts. This is very important for the use of ABCD outside its 'classic' niche in Latin America, e.g. in Arab, African and Asian countries were other scripts (Arab, Amharic, Sanskrite, Chinese, Persian...) are used. 
- we are preparing a Digital Library feature which will allow to load PDF- and other document-contents into the ABCD-databases and do full-text searches in them. This would allow adding local repositories and other full-text (smaller) databases in the ABCD Site and Meta-search for an integrated presentation of catalogs of printed documents (books) and electronic resources (all kinds of databases ABCD is capable of handling).
These examples hopefully clarify that a new approach, making the use of different CISIS-versions for different databases, all mixed into one ABCD-installation, opens interesting new possibilities.
That will be the basis for version 2.0 and justifying a 'major' stepping up : 2.0 instead of 1.3 or 1.4.
However there are still other new developments which could hopefully also be added : URL-checker, barcode-creator, UNIMARC, UDC, ISAD(G)... for which initiatives are taken but still volunteers are needed.
Both the UNICODE and Digital Library features are close to ready, but were not yet distributed because we first need that basic change applied and - most of all - things very well tested. So that is the reason for some extra delay, whereas it is not the idea to postpone the publication of a version 2.0 more than just a few months. That version 2.0 will fully benefit from the intermediate improvements which are part of the upcoming version and hopefully from ample testing by you, the users-community.

Regards,

Egbert de Smet

________________________________________
From: isis-users-bounces at iccisis.org [isis-users-bounces at iccisis.org] on behalf of spinaker [spinaker at adinet.com.uy]
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 4:50 PM
To: isis-users at iccisis.org
Subject: [Isis-users] ABCD - we need beta testers for the new release

Este mensaje se publica en español por separado
________________________________
Dear colleagues

The development of a new version of ABCD is at the stage of starting to be tried and tested in order to detect and correct any problems.

The tests should be done initially on Windows, although in a few days we will also provide a Linux version for testing.

The name of this version will be "ABCD v.1.2 transitional", which will be followed within months by version 1.3, possibly in March 2013

There is also in development, by Egbert de Smet, the package "ABCD v.2.0" which will be released soon, possibly by that date.

The difference between version 1.2/1.3 and version 2.0 is that the last version includes the module "Digital Library" which was introduced by Egbert in Antwerp meeting in May this year, requiring additional Isis technology which is ready and in a testing phase.

Well, then we need the help of experienced professionals in ABCD, who understand the basics of installation and configuration of Apache, and devote a little time to do an orderly evaluation.

We will deliver two packages, one with Apache 2.2 and other with Apache 2.4 for Windows. Both packages have included  PHP 5.3.11 and Yaz previously compiled.

The tests should be done on Windows 7/32 or 64 bits, either one or both (could also be Windows 2003 or 2008). ABCD works on XP, but we are not mainly interested in XP.

For the testing you should uninstall the Apache you have in the PC, otherwise you will have conflict between versions.
For the "testers" we'll inlcude detailed installation instructions and a list of all the new features and fixes that are included in the package.

The test period is one week.

We will receive proposals until next Friday 30th, and we'll send FTP address with username and password to download the packages to colleagues selected for testing.


Thanks in advance
Ernesto Spinak




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  | |  Ernesto Spinak                | |
  | |  spinaker at adinet.com.uy<mailto:spinaker at adinet.com.uy>        | |
  | |  Montevideo, Uruguay           | |
  | |  tel/fax  (598) 2622-3352      | |
  | |  celular  (598) 99612238      | |
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