On Wed, 5 Jun 2002, Rosalie Blake wrote:
Hi Marcel, Nice to get your email, and thank you kindly for the encouraging words. I'm a non-techie librarian, but I'm forwarding your letter to our chief programmer, and the koha developers list, both of whom will have wise words on the problems you raise. Thanks again. Cheers, Rosalie On 4 Jun 2002, at 12:12, Marcel (Free Thinker at Large) Gagn� wrote:
Hello from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada!
Quick intro for starters. I write a number of Linux articles for various publications including Linux Journal, InformIT, SysAdmin, Unix Review, and others. I'm also the author of the book, "Linux System Administration, A User's Guide". Anyhow, I'm always on the lookout for new and cool things to write about and I've been looking at a couple of library automation systems that might be fun to cover. Incidentally, I used to work for Dynix, a (at one time anyway) rather large library automation software company. But I digress . . .
Hello Marcel, I've read and enjoyed many of your articles. I never put your name together with my stint at Dynix though (1993-4). Good to 'see' you again. I think koha would make an excellent topic for one (or more) article(s).
I've been taking Koha out for a spin and it looks like an excellent library automation system. I would like to write about it and give it some press, but there are a few problems that I wonder if you could address for me. For starters, I'm curious as to how close you are to the next release as this might answer some of my other concerns.
Koha 1.2 is looming (we're hoping for a June release). The 1.2 series is mostly about stabilization and minor improvements. RC tarballs are already available, but you could probably get a better feel for things by looking at the wiki <http://www.saas.nsw.edu.au/wiki/index.php?page=KohaProject> and at our irc logs <http://www.haz.cmsd.bc.ca/cgi-bin/kohalog.pl>. BTW, you're welcome to join us on the irc at any time, <irc.katipo.co.nz #koha>. In addition, we're looking at a 1.4 release in the Q3/Q4 timeframe. This version represents a bigger step for us. We'll be including MARC features as well as more language options (we're hoping to see French and Spanish, perhaps some others as well).
There are only really two big issues for me. The first has to do with installation which seems rather complex and demands multiple servers (or virtual servers). I was able to get around that myself but it's a bit much to ask others who might be a tad less technically oriented (even if I do a good job of explaining <insert appropriate smiley here>).
We're working on an installer script which should alleviate much of this difficulty. It should be making a first appearance in the 1.2 release series.
Second (and this is a big one), is there a means to modify that fields on screen. The BIG REASON for this question has to do with the "Ethnicity" question on your borrower page. As this sort of question is strictly forbidden in North America, I can't possibly recommend Koha to my readers if this cannot be changed. It's an instant show-stopper.
/nods/ Yes, this and other issues are being addressed. Again, look for the 1.2 and 1.4 series of releases.
Whether or not I can go ahead with the article at this time, I will say that I am impressed with the work you've done so far. I wish you the best.
Thank you. I hope you like the changes that are looming on the horizon. If you decide to go ahead with the article, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We'd love to help. -pate Pat Eyler Koha Kaitiaki
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Marcel (Writer and Free Thinker at Large) Gagn� Note: This massagee wos nat speel or gramer-checkered. Mandatory home page reference - http://www.marcelgagne.com/ Author : Linux System Administration, A User's Guide (ISBN 0-201-71934-7. Available NOW from Addison-Wesley) Join the WFTL-LUG : http://www.salmar.com/marcel/wftllugform.html
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