Thanks, Chris. I thought from the documentation that the framework served the data entry template function, but I'm still not clear on a few points. In the Sirsi-verse, the format policy serves three purposes. * It defines the MARC format, and must be updated when the MARC standard changes (new fields defined, new subfields defined, fields repeatable/not repeatable, etc.). Does the Koha framework set the MARC standard for the system? If so, how does it get updated when the standard changes? Do site administrators need to modify it manually? Do updates happen automatically with Koha version upgrades? Do each of the framework policies need to be updated? Or does Koha handle the MARC standard definition elsewhere? * Along with an accompanying policy it defines what fields/subfields display in the OPAC and how they're labeled. Staff can always see all MARC fields in edit mode, but display depends on the policies. Does the framework control OPAC display in Koha? How are things like staff notes and other internal data fields hidden from public display? I haven't dug into the web template pages yet -- maybe display setup happen there. * The Sirsi format policy controls index settings. I understand that in Koha those are handled separately, through the Zebra setup. Is that correct? (I've also seen reference to non-Zebra indexing in the system preferences, but I gather those are irrelevant if we're using Zebra.) If anyone can point me to some documentation on frameworks, I'd be grateful. I've found some brief mentions in other docs, but nothing in depth. In particular, I'd like to know the implications of modifying a framework policy. Thanks much. Jane Wagner Library Systems Analyst PTFS Inc. Content Management and Library Solutions 6400 Goldsboro Road, Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20817 (301) 654-8088 x 151 jwagner@ptfs.com -----Original Message----- On Sat, Jan 31, 2009 at 8:18 AM, Wagner, Jane <jwagner@ptfs.com> wrote:
Many thanks. I've been looking at the wiki and the bug sites, as well as the documentation site. Still learning my way through the software. Can anyone point me to a good, detailed description of what frameworks are and how they are meant to work? I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that concept and how it relates to the MARC format policies in the Sirsi-verse.
Hi Jane I can't answer in respect to how Sirsi-dynix works. But frameworks for Koha, in a nutshell, allow you to build up a different set of MARC tags for cataloguing differing types of items. EG you might have an Audio CD framework that just has the fields that are useful wrt to it. Basically it allows you to define a framework that means you dont have to tab through a bunch of fields (that you leave empty). Hope that helps Chris