1. How are the Drop-down lists generated and can I change their contents.
Most of the drop-down lists are simply reflecting existing data rather than being a 'fixed' list. This is a more flexible option where lists may become very long. They also have an auto complete type R and it will only show list items starting with R.
Some fixed lists have an edit as the last entry, by clicking on this an editing dialogue box will appear in which the content of the list can be modified. These usually only appear on controlled vocabulary lists.
2. How can I add a photo and can I simply drag it from wherever on my hard drive?
It is best to usually resize images to about email size of 640 or alternatively 800 pixels max. The program will automatically scale them to the window. If you click on the window you get an enlarged pop-up image, which is where you may wish to have the 800 pixel catalogue images. I also suggest storing this reduced image size within the sub folders provided. Either that or you'll have to enter various long and complex paths to locate the image. This also makes the entire database more portable and easier to back-up as you simply move the top folder around and everything under goes with it and it still works. The images are only ‘referenced’ not ‘embedded in the database.
This makes the database smaller and faster and minimises file corruption from suspect embedded images. I usually add a ‘c’ suffix before the file extension to denote it is a catalogue sized image. This can be done in batches using freely available renaming programs. Likewise the resizing can be done in batches with most programs like Elements or whatever you use.
So in short there is no browser for images other than your existing image browsing software.
3. The numbers in the top left navigation area do not match the Asset record numbers.
The top left is the sequence in the currently found set of displayed records not the record asset number. There is no correlation to the Asset ID in the upper right which is your unique record ID number.
4. In Camerapedia or Wikipedia the link searches on the Manufacturer (MFR) e.g. Zeiss Ikon AG field whereas the most appropriate search would be on the camera name eg Contarex. Can this be changed? Then, after I first download the relevant article, does the link stay in the catalogue? Or do I have to download each time?
The search criterion is the MFG field plus the first 4 words in the Model field. As noted earlier in the manual I suggest careful consideration in data entry in the initial words of the Model field for this reason. I have not edited your data so some records may now require rewording to a consistent initial format, the same goes for MFG names. If they have simplified or modified their name it should be at the front of the field. It is hard to accommodate all variables easily. The link is not saved unless you think it is terrific whereupon you could copy the link to the Web Viewer. (Right Click on a link to copy it)
5. Following on from this, after the initial relevant article, does the link stay in the catalogue or does it have to download each time?
The link is not saved and is re-harvested each time one clicks on the tab; unless you think it is terrific whereupon you could copy the link to the Web Viewer. (Right Click on a link to copy it)
6. Is there any way of separating accessories such as lenses, tripods, bags, etc. out from the general catalogue in a similar manner to Contacts?
It gets very messy that way, as the data fields are the same but one would have to search across multiple databases to find any item. An easier perspective is to utilise the Categories more for this.
Therefore a possible rethink of the Categories to make them a Primary Classification System and the Secondary Classification being in the standardised way of wording the Model field. You also have the option of using MFG as a Classification tool along with the Collections field.
Likewise for books and photographs?
These could be either entered under a different Category classification. But if the majority of the data fields are different, then it may be a useful inclusion for a future version of Photographica, when a defined set of descriptive metadata can be agreed upon. For books relating to specific collection items they can be added to that collection item’s record via the Documents tab, even if one does not have an electronic copy.
|
