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South Dakota Library Network

Aleph Tables Training~

Aleph Administration

© South Dakota Library Network, 2008©Ex Libris (USA), 2004Modified for SDLNVersion 16Last Update: March 2008

South Dakota Library Network1200 University, Unit 9672Spearfish, SD 57799www.sdln.net

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Aleph Administration

The ALEPH software can be adapted for many different needs. Most of these adaptations are made in ALEPH tables.

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Aleph Administration

The Aleph Administration module enables you to access all functions related to ALEPH tables through a Windows interface. You can open, view, edit, save and print ALEPH tables.

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Handling tables

• Aleph Administration gives you access to one table per open window. Several tables can be displayed simultaneously.

• You can choose between read-only and write mode and different display modes.

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Tables Navigator

Open the menuTables | Tables Navigatorto choose the library youwant to work in.

The program then offersyou a list of tables tochoose from.

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Tables Navigator

The Tables Navigator has three sections:

• Libraries available for selection• Tables available for selection• Command buttons

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Tables NavigatorSelect a library

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Tables NavigatorSelect a table

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Tables NavigatorCommand buttons

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Tables Navigator

This is what one line in the TableSelection window of the Tables Navigator looks like:

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Tables Navigator

One method of loadinga table from the serveris to click on .This will always give youthe most up-to-date tableversion directly from theserver.

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Tables Navigator

To get the latest versionof the table from the serverand to be able to make changes to it, click on instead of using .

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Tables Navigator

Check Out will “get” the tableand lock it on the server forJust under 3 hours. Lock infowill show from the time the table is checked out and thereforelocked.

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Tables Navigator

As long as the table is checked out, it will be marked with a red checkmark.

Checked out

Not checked out

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Tables Navigator

After getting or checking out thetable from the server, select to view it. This will openthe table in a separate window.Edit will only be active if you have used the Get or Check Out command before.

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Tables Navigator

If you used the Get command before selecting , you will be asked if you wish to check out the file for Editing. Ifyou want to edit and save changes, click the button. Click the button if you only wish to view the table.

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Tables Navigator

If you used the Check Out command before selecting , the table will immediately be displayed in edit-mode without any further prompts.

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Tables Navigator

A third way of loading a table from the server is to double-click on a table name in the Tables selection window that has not been checked out.

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Tables Navigator

If the table has been previously updated on the server, you will be asked if you wish to get the latest copy of the file (table).

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Tables Navigator

You will then be asked if you wish to check out the file. If you want to edit and save changes, click the button. Click the button if you only wish to view the file. The table will then open in a separate window.

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Tables Navigator

If the table has been checked out, it will be opened in editing mode. You can identify this mode by the green light in the lower left corner of the window.

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Tables Navigator

If the table has not been checked out, the table will be opened in read-only mode. You can identify this mode by the red light in the lower left corner of the window.

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Tables Navigator

Three minutes before the lock time runs out, the green light turns yellow.

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Tables Navigator

You can extend the timeavailable by clicking on at any momentas long as the light is greenor yellow. The time counter will start a newcountdown.

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Tables Navigator

If you do not “check in” or “refresh” the table and the check out time runs out, the table status will revert to read-only mode. The light in the lower left corner will turn red. All changes will be

lost!!

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Tables Navigator

Once you have finishedyour editing, you shouldsend the table back to theserver by clicking on .This will overwrite the oldversion of the table on theserver.

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Tables View

There are two view modes to choose from when working with tables, Table mode and Form mode. You can toggle between these modes by clicking on their respective icons on the menu bar.

Table mode Form mode

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Tables ViewThis is how the table appears in Table mode.

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Tables View

This is how the table appears in Form mode.

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Tables View

In both modes, you have this toolbar on the top of the window. The buttons are only active when you are in the edit mode. They are inactive when you are

in the view mode.

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Tables View Adds a new line at the end of the table.

Inserts new line before the highlighted line.

Deletes the highlighted line. Moves the highlighted line one up. Moves the highlighted line one down. Help for table.

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Tables Help

When working with tables, there are several different ways to obtain on-line help.

• General help• Column heading • Column specific help• Table source information

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Tables Help

To obtain general help when viewing a specific table, click on located on the toolbar at the top of the window. A window will open containing information about the table you are working on.

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Tables Help

General help

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Tables Help

By hovering your mouse over a columnheading, you can obtain limited information about a particular column within the table.

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Tables HelpSome columns offer expanded help. If a column has such help available, a window with additional information will appear when you right-click on thecolumn heading.

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Tables Help

The final option for on-line help is through viewing the table’s source information. After you’ve opened a table select the option from the File menu.

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Tables Help

When using the View Source option, the table will open in a separate window using Notepad. Additional explanations will be given for the various fields of the table. This option is usually the most comprehensive source of on-line assistance.

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Tables Help

Source view

Table view

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Aleph Tables

Some of the tables that affect several modules include:

• Tab100• Pc_tab_exp_field.eng• Tab_check_circ

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Aleph Tables

Tab100 defines switch settings for different aspects of the system. Tab100 is unique in two significant ways:

•The table is built in a textual manner as opposed to the column breakdowns used in other tables.

•The table hierarchy is different: the client first reads the system tab100, then the ADM tab100, looking for lines that vary from the system table. This allows libraries to enter values in their table for functionality that is different than the system table.

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Aleph Tables

Table view of tab100

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Aleph Tables

pc_tab_exp_field.eng

pc_tab_exp_field.eng defines the field values for the pull down menu options in the different GUI applications.

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Aleph Tables

pc_tab_exp_field.eng

Table view of pc_tab_exp_field.eng:

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Aleph Tables

pc_tab_exp_field.eng

Client view of the information contained in pc_tab_field.eng:

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Aleph Tables

Tab_check_circ

Tab_check_circ defines the checks that will bemade when an item is loaned or renewed.

Some of the checks include:• Patron blocks• Patron loan/renew permission• Item loan/renew permission

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Aleph Tables

Tab_check_circ

Table view of tab_check_circ:

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Tables Help

In addition to the online help in the AlephAdministration module, information regardingtables can also be found in the Aleph Web guide. One section is devoted entirely to the ALEPHADM, while additional information pertaining to tables can be found in the System Librarian chapter of each section of the guide.

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Tables Help

The Aleph Web Guide can be accessed at the following url:

http://apollo.sdln.net/S

You will be required to sign in using your Aleph ID and password.

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Tables Help

Sections of the Guide that pertain to specific Tables are:• Tab40.eng

Items | Systems Librarian Chapter | Section 8.2

• Tab15.engCirculation | Systems Librarian Chapter | Section 17.4

• Tab31Circulation | Systems Librarian Chapter | Section 17.5

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Tables Help

• Tab25Circulation | Systems Librarian Chapter | Section17.2

• Tab17 Circulation | Systems Librarian Chapter | Section 17.6, step 3

• Tab16 Circulation | Systems Librarian Chapter | Section 17.6

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Tables Help

• Tab100Circulation | Systems Librarian Chapter | Section 17.31Cataloging | Systems Librarian Chapter | Section 16.44

• Tab_check_circCirculation | Systems Librarian Chapter | Section 17.10

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Tables Help

Additional tables help is available on Ex Libris’ Document Center website located at:http://docs.exlibrisgroup.com/docportal/logon.php

   • username = 01sdln• password = 7356         Under Aleph Documentation, select Tree

Search, then select 16