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SFX | News
Introducing the New SFX A-Z List
WHO needs to know?
This memo applies to all libraries with an SFX instance on the CARLI server. Please share it with anyone who needs to know.
WHAT has changed?
Ex Libris has introduced an enhanced SFX A-Z list. The features of the new A-Z list are described in the SFX_3.0_new_A-Z_List_Guide.doc, which is available from the Ex Libris documentation center. Briefly, the new lists feature:
- Performance improvements
- Option for an AutoComplete feature that presents possible matches as users enter terms/characters into the search box
- CJK support
- Support for Latin diacritics sorting and searching
- Phrase search option (using double quotes) in Contains Title search
- Result set navigation changes:
- Title links instead of numbered pages in search results
- Option to navigate backward as well as forward in browse results
- Option to integrate the CitationLinker into the A-Z List
- Retains last search term across A-Z tabs
WHEN does this happen?
In June 2007, Ex Libris began to phase in a new, enhanced version of its A-Z list. Since then, CARLI has been tuning and experimenting to ensure that we will be able to support this new A-Z list as we have the previous versions of the SFX A-Z list, regenerating lists every night, so that any KB changes libraries make are reflected promptly the next day. We now believe we have a strategy that will work for us, even though the new lists take significantly longer to regenerate.
Ex Libris has announced that they will cease to support the old A-Z list (the one CARLI libraries are using right now) in October 2007. That gives each CARLI library a month to become familiar with the new list's features, to configure the new list's default settings as appropriate, and to apply (or reapply) any customizations they want to apply.
WHERE are the new lists?
Until October 2007, the current, production A-Z list will remain at
http://sfx.carli.illinois.edu/sfx***/a-z
(where *** is the three-or-more letter code for your library). During this transitional month, the new A-Z list will be available at
http://sfx.carli.illinois.edu/sfx***/az
(note the absence of the hyphen in az). When we apply the October SFX update we will also establish an alias for the new A-Z list, so that users who point to any form of address for the A-Z list will be redirected to the newest list software. In October (exact date TBA), all of these addresses will lead to the same, new place:
- http://sfx.carli.illinois.edu/sfx***/az (default address for newest version)
- http://sfx.carli.illinois.edu/sfx***/azlist (default address for the interim version that's now in production)
- http://sfx.carli.illinois.edu/sfx***/a-z (original address for the first SFX A-Z list CARLI libraries used)
In other words, libraries will not need to change any links on their library web sites or in local documentation if they don't want to. The former URLs will, beginning in October, lead users to the newest A-Z list.
HOW do we transition to the new lists?
Configurations are done in SFXAdmin > Searchable A-Z ver. 3 Configuration. The AutoComplete feature is enabled with the "Enable Ajax for title search" checkbox.
Customizations of look-and-feel are done in SFXAdmin > UNIX File Manager > templates > azlist_ver3. (New graphics should be sent to support@carli.illinois.edu for CARLI staff to upload). CARLI staff will begin working with each library that has customized the look of the current A-Z list to ensure that all desired customizations are reapplied to the new list. Please watch for individualized email, coming soon.
If you have questions or concerns, please send them to the sfx-ig@carli.illinois.edu discussion list or to support@carli.illinois.edu as appropriate.
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