[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Macros and cataloging

[Jason Etheridge]

On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 9:55 AM, Lourie, Margaret <lourie at nelinet.net> wrote:
> Is anyone using any macro program (like MacroExpress) with Evergreen
> cataloging? If so, can you please respond as to what you are using and how
> well it works?

Hi Margaret,

I know at least one book vendor is doing some sort of GUI scripting to
automate the staff client, but I'm not sure what tools they're using.
I've tried AutoKey in Windows for testing, but not for the purpose of
enhancing/accelerating cataloging.  It does seem to work, however, and
you can bind hotkeys to key and mouse sequences with it, though it's
more powerful than that.  http://www.autohotkey.com/

It may be worthwhile and less brittle to sponsor development in the
actual software to improve it if there's something specific it could
be doing better. :)

One suggestion floating around as a wishlist item includes better
template support (for managing templates independent
of items, and leveraging org unit settings in addition to user settings).

In my spare time, I recently added a "Fast Item Add" function to the
MARC editor for quickly creating a single volume and item without
having to go through Holdings Maintenance (which is great for batch
work, but not the fastest workflow otherwise).

There are also ways to catalog through the Item Status interface,
bypassing Holdings Maintenance that way as well.

-- 
Jason Etheridge
 | VP, Community Support and Advocacy
 | Equinox Software, Inc. / The Evergreen Experts
 | phone:  1-877-OPEN-ILS (673-6457)
 | email:  jason at esilibrary.com
 | web:  http://www.esilibrary.com