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Connexion : Connexion client : Past enhancements

Past enhancements to Connexion client

Connexion client 2.00  (Completed: June 2007)

Connexion client version 2.00, released in June 2007, includes the enhancements listed below.

Please review the Update the Connexion client section of the getting started document prior to upgrading to client 2.00.

OCLC has not set an end of life date for client 1.7X.  OCLC does not expect to discontinue 1.7X until a future release of the client is available. You are not required to upgrade to 2.00. However, OCLC recommends that you upgrade to 2.00 to have the most current features available. When the date for ending 1.7X is set, the client will automatically notify you at least 30 to 60 days beforehand each time you open the program.

To verify your version number, go to the Help menu and select About OCLC Connexion Client.  The complete version number for client 2.00 is 2.0.2728.15572.

Export bibliographic records in Dublin Core

  • Export bibliographic records in Dublin Core Qualified in XML with the UTF-8 character set. Before completing the Export command, go to Tools/Options/Export/Record Characteristics to change the output from MARC 21 to Dublin Core Qualified. Continue to create and edit records in MARC displays.
  • Note: Although Dublin Core export is currently available in client 2.00, the mappings from MARC to Dublin Core are not yet complete.  OCLC recommends that you wait until the changes are completed at the OCLC host before using this new functionality.  These changes include additional mappings in the MARC to Dublin Core crosswalk to give you a more comprehensive record than you will get with the crosswalk that is currently available in client 2.00.  These changes are expected later this year.

Windows Vista supported

  • Use Connexion client under the Windows Vista operating system. Connexion client 2.00 is supported with Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.

New toolbar options and revised menu layout

  • Specify to display the toolbar on one or two rows.
  • View shorter menu lists. Previously, some of the Connexion client menus became quite long. With client 2.00, some menu items have been regrouped into submenus to make the menu lists shorter. For example, 12 Edit menu items such as Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete Field, Copy Field, and more have been moved to a submenu called Edit/Cut Copy Paste. A complete list of menu changes are documented in the Update the Connexion client section of Getting Started.

Z39.50 access to records created in your ILS

  • Access bibliographic records created in your Integrated Library System. Go to Tools/Options/Z39.50 to configure access to your ILS and use Tools/Z39.50/Connect and then Tools/Z39.50/Search to enter a record number to search your ILS. The retrieved record is displayed as a Connexion workform which you can add to WorldCat and/or use to generate authority records on headings.

New OCLC-supplied macros

  • Besides the widely used GenerateAuthorityRecord macro in the OCLC-supplied macro book OCLC.mbk, use other new macros included for specific functions. Examples: Add&Edit007 provides guided entry for field 007. Generate034 generates field 034 based on data in field 255 in the same bibliographic record. 

Non-Latin script enhancements

Automatically switch to English mode for entering delimiter and subfield code

  • When typing in a non-Latin script, entering the keystroke for the delimiter character now automatically changes the keyboard to English for the delimiter character and the alphabetical or numeric subfield code, and then automatically returns to the non-Latin script keyboard, saving you from having to manually change to the English keyboard to enter the delimiter and subfield code.

RLIN21 keyboards for Arabic, Cyrillic, Hebrew, and Latin

  • Download and use RLIN21 keyboards which were previously created for use with RLIN21. RLIN21 Arabic, Cyrillic, and Hebrew keyboards include characters specific to each script, whereas the Microsoft keyboards include characters specific to a language written in a specific script. For example, use the single RLIN21 Arabic keyboard to generate Arabic script characters for the Arabic, Persian, and Urdu languages instead of switching between Arabic, Persian, and Urdu Microsoft keyboards.
  • While using the keyboards, you will not be able to use some of the keystrokes mapped in Connexion client such as keymaps that include Alt, Ctrl Alt, and Ctrl Alt Shift, since these combinations are used with the RLIN keyboards. However, function keys and assigned keymaps to alpha/numeric characters that include Ctrl, Alt Shift, and Ctrl Shift will be available. For example, the default keystroke for the menu item Action, Delete Record is mapped to Ctrl-Alt-D, so it cannot be used with the RLIN21 keyboards; you would need to remap this menu item to use a keyboard shortcut for this command while using the RLIN21 keyboards. However, you can continue to use the default keystroke for the delimiter character (Ctrl-D) and the default keystroke for the menu item Action, Export Records (F5), since they do not conflict with the RLIN21 keyboards.
  • In addition, former RLIN21 users can use the RLIN21 Latin keyboard, which includes keystrokes for entering diacritics and special characters in the Connexion client that are already familiar to RLIN21 users.

Unicode Control Characters for Arabic and Hebrew script cataloging

  • Manually enter bidirectional Unicode control characters in Arabic and Hebrew script to resolve issues with entering left-to-right multiple-digit numbers and punctuation in right-to-left fields. Enter characters using the new right-click mouse menu, Insert Unicode Control Character, or create text strings containing the characters which can be entered using a keystroke. New characters include Left-to-Right Mark, Right-to-Left Mark, Start of Left-to-Right Embedding, Start of Right-to-Left Embedding, Start of Left-to-Right Override, Start of Right-to-Left Override, and Pop Directional Formatting. Previously available characters, Zero Width Joiner and Zero Width Non-Joiner, can also be entered from the new right-click submenu.

Institution records

  • Bibliographic institution records (IRs) in WorldCat are the result of incorporating bibliographic "cluster" records from the RLG Union Catalog into WorldCat during the integration of RLG into OCLC. These records contain additional cataloging data, such as local call numbers, holdings locations within the institution, or local or copy-specific notes. WorldCat continues with the master record concept, but with this implementation, libraries that are authorized can create and maintain their own institution records linked to the master record. Many existing IRs contributed by migrating RLG libraries who request the process are being loaded into WorldCat as part of integrating the RLG Union Catalog. Institution records (IRs) are assigned OCLC numbers. The OCLC number of the master record to which the IR is linked is system supplied in the 079 field of the IR.
  • All OCLC cataloging authorizations will be able to display IRs that are attached to master records. Optionally, search WorldCat to include both master record data and unique data in IRs: go to Cataloging/Search/WorldCat, click Settings, and select the option "Include Institution Record indexes when searching WorldCat". Unique data in IRs is indexed using all existing bibliographic record indexes, as well as four new indexes: Action note, General call number, IR control number, and system control number.
  • An indication of linked IRs for your institution as well as other libraries is shown on master records. For example "Held by ZMY/IR/LHR - 37 other holdings; 34 other IRs" indicates that OCLC symbol ZMY has contributed IR record(s) for this master record and also has local holding record(s) (LHRs) attached. In addition, 34 more IRs contributed by other libraries are attached and there are 37 additional holdings on the master record.
  • View IRs linked to the displayed WorldCat record by using menu items Cataloging/Show/All Institution Records or Cataloging/Show/My Institution Records; view IRs for a specific institution using Cataloging/Show/Institution Records for [and specify an OCLC institution symbol].
  • Only authorized libraries are able to create and maintain institution records. This functionality is available as an option to migrating RLG libraries, as well as to other libraries who order it via a custom quote subscription. A cataloging authorization with IR capabilities can add new institution records to existing master records, add IRs at the same time they are adding an original master record, edit and replace existing IRs, delete IRs, and move IRs to a different master record.
  • All OCLC cataloging authorizations can export IRs or derive new master or constant data records from them.

Problem resolutions

  • Resolutions to reported problems as noted in the Known Problems document.

For details about these enhancements, log on to Connexion and search Connexion News. A link to News appears on the View menu. To list enhancements, choose the category "System Updates" on the News search screen.