[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Staff client software vs. web-based interface

[Thomas Berezansky]

When I say "controlling the printer" I mean "configuring the printer  
settings for a given print job and printing without user interaction".

Web browsers don't like pages printing themselves without users being  
prompted.

Thomas Berezansky
Merrimack Valley Library Consortium


Quoting "Lazar, Alexey Vladimirovich" <alexey.lazar at mnsu.edu>:

>
> On Sep 20, 2012, at 10:33 , Thomas Berezansky wrote:
>
>> The majority of the benefit to an actual client compared to a web  
>> based interface is in printing. Web browsers don't allow web pages  
>> to control the printer. Beyond that we get our own menus and  
>> toolbars, for example.
>
> CSS styles for print offer pretty good control over print output.  
> This presumes that the screen styles and HTML are structured with  
> print output as a consideration. Last time I really worked with this  
> was probably half a decade ago or so, but at that time I was able to  
> generate custom headers for print output, control font display,  
> exclude page sections from printing and even print out full URL link  
> text for links using at that time draft implementations of CSS 3. Is  
> that what you meant by controlling the printer? Otherwise there is  
> always the option of generating PDF output.
>
> Besides what Thomas mentioned, are there any features that are  
> possible with a client, but impossible though an admin website in a  
> regular web browser?
>
> Alexey
>
>>
>>
>> Quoting "Lazar, Alexey Vladimirovich" <alexey.lazar at mnsu.edu>:
>>
>>> Hello. I was browsing the http://evergreen-ils.org/downloads.php  
>>> page and some linked areas, looking at all the different staff  
>>> clients that are available and not available, and it got me  
>>> thinking...
>>>
>>> Based on the fact that the Evergreen project releases come with  
>>> the staff client only for Windows, does that make Evergreen  
>>> Windows-only software? I see that there are some instructions for  
>>> Mac and Linux on the downloads page in various states of  
>>> freshness. I also see that Sitka provides pre-built clients, which  
>>> is great, thanks. In terms of answering prospective customer  
>>> questions, I think my answer is Windows-only, right?
>>>
>>> What is the reason for lack of "official" releases of staff client  
>>> software for Mac OS (and Linux)?  Is it strategy, because there is  
>>> no need, or like with some other things, not enough volunteers?
>>>
>>> I was also curious if anyone could outline for me some benefits of  
>>> using staff client software vs. a web-based administrative  
>>> interface. I can easily think of some disadvantages, like lack of  
>>> cross-platform compatibility, maintenance overhead, additional  
>>> dependencies, but I'm guessing there are some advantages as well?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> Alexey Lazar
>>> PALS
>>> Information System Developer and Integrator
>>> 507-389-2907
>>> http://www.mnpals.org/
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
> Alexey Lazar
> PALS
> Information System Developer and Integrator
> 507-389-2907
> http://www.mnpals.org/
>
>