[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Southern Ontario Evergreen Users Group meeting
Posted on behalf of Michael Schell: Hi Everyone, Just a reminder that the Southern Ontario Evergreen Users Group meeting is being held on Friday, May 11 at the Niagara College Library (maphttp://maps.google.ca/maps?f=qsource=s_qhl=engeocode=q=135+Taylor+Road,++Niagara-on-the-Lake,+Ontario++L0S+1J0aq=sll=43.152797,-79.165912sspn=0.099685,0.154324vpsrc=0t=hie=UTF8hq=hnear=135+Taylor+Rd,+Niagara-on-the-Lake,+Ontario+L0S+1J0z=16) from 9:00 AM-3:30 PM. I've attached the agenda for the meeting and will send a parking pass to those who RSVP. Parking is in the front lot off Taylor Rd. All are welcome and we hope to see some new faces. If you have questions or will be attending please send emails to me at msch...@forterie.library.on.ca Hope to see you there! Michael Schell Systems Administrator Fort Erie Public Library 905-871-2546 x301 msch...@forterie.library.on.ca http://www.forterie.library.on.ca -- *Jo-Anne Teeuwsen Technical Services Manager Pelham Public Library Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-6443* Southern Ontario Evergreen Users Group Agenda.docx Description: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Improving relevance ranking in Evergreen
On Mon, May 7, 2012 at 3:12 PM, Kathy Lussier kluss...@masslnc.org wrote: Hi Mike, FWIW, there is a library testing some new combinations of CD modifiers and having some success. As soon as I know more I will share (if they don't first). Did anything ever come of this? I would be interested in seeing any examples that resulted in improved relevancy. The testing occurred, but I haven't heard the the outcome yet. I'll dig for it ASAP. The fairly mechanical change from GIST to GIN indexing is definitely a small-effort thing. I think the other ideas listed here (and still others from the past, like direct MARC indexing, and use of tsearch weighting classes) are probably worth trying -- particularly the relevance-adjustment-functions-in-C idea -- as GSoC projects, but may turn out to be too big. It's worth listing them as ideas for candidates to propose, though. I was happy to see that Optimize Evergreen: Convert PL/Perl-based PostgreSQL stored procedures to PL/SQL or PL/C was one of the accepted GSoC projects. However, since I got a little lost in the technical details of this discussion, I was curious if, when this GSoC project is complete, we can can feel more comfortable about using search.relevance_ranking to tweak the relevancy without adversely affecting search performance. Short version: yes Longer version: that's exactly one of the goals, and there are some other avenues of attack as well that should speed search and are related to (but not strictly inside) the GSoC project. --miker I know there were two related GSoC ideas listed, and I wasn't sure if both needed to be done together to ultimately improve search speeds. Thanks! Kathy -- Kathy Lussier Project Coordinator Massachusetts Library Network Cooperative (508) 756-0172 (508) 755-3721 (fax) kluss...@masslnc.org Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kmlussier On 3/6/2012 5:00 PM, Mike Rylander wrote: On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 4:42 PM, Kathy Lussierkluss...@masslnc.org wrote: Hi all, I mentioned this during an e-mail discussion on the list last month, but I just wanted to hear from others in the Evergreen community about whether there is a desire to improve the relevance ranking for search results in Evergreen. Currently, we can tweak relevancy in the opensrf.xml, and it can look at things like the document length, word proximity, and unique word count. We've found that we had to remove the modifiers for document length and unique word count to prevent a problem where brief bib records were ranked way too high in our search results. FWIW, there is a library testing some new combinations of CD modifiers and having some success. As soon as I know more I will share (if they don't first). In our local discussions, we've thought the following enhancements could improve the ranking of search results: * Giving greater weight to a record if the search terms appear in the title or subject (ideally, we would like these field to be configurable.) This is something that is tweakable in search.relevance_ranking, but my understanding is that the use of these tweaks results in a major reduction in search performance. Indeed they do, however rewriting them in C to be super-fast would improve this situation. It's primarily a matter of available time and effort. It's also, however, pretty specialized work as you're dealing with Postgres at a very intimate level. * Using some type of popularity metric to boost relevancy for popular titles. I'm not sure what this metric should be (number of copies attached to record? Total circs in last x months? Total current circs?), but we believe some type of popularity measure would be particularly helpful in a public library where searches will often be for titles that are popular. For example, a search for twilight will most likely be for the Stephanie Meyers novel and not this http://books.google.com/books/about/Twilight.html?id=zEhkpXCyGzIC. Mike Rylander had indicated in a previous e-mail (http://markmail.org/message/h6u5r3sy4nr36wsl) that we might be able to handle this through an overnight cron job without a negative impact on search speeds. Right ... A regular stats-gathering job could certainly allow this, and (if the QuqeryParser explain branch gets merged to master so we have a standard search canonicalization function) logged query analysis is another option as well. Do others think these two enhancements would improve the search results in Evergreen? Do you think there are other things we could do to improve relevancy? My main concern would be that any changes might slow down search speeds, and I would want to make sure that we could do something to retrieve better search results without a slowdown. I would prefer better results with a speed /increase/! :) But, who wouldn't. I can offer at least one lower-hanging fruit idea: switch from GIST indexes to GIN indexes by default, as they're
[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Bibliomation has planted a seed - look at what's growing in Evergreen now!
Bibliomation, Inc http://biblio.org/., Connecticut's largest library consortium, is sponsoring the integration of Syndetic Solutions http://www.bowker.com/en-US/products/syndetics/ by Bowker with Template Toolkit OPAC (TPAC) in Evergreen http://open-ils.org/. Equinox http://esilibrary.com/esi/ developers will be writing the code for this project. TPAC will be able to support cover images, reviews, summaries, table of contents, excerpts, and author notes from Syndetic Solutions. Once the code is written, it will be submitted on launchpad https://launchpad.net/evergreen, where another developer will need to review and approve it. Once the code is signed off on by another developer, then it can be submitted for inclusion in the next major release of Evergreen. For more information, contact Amy Terlaga at Bibliomation / terl...@biblio.org Cheers, Suzannah -- Suzannah Lipscomb Project Manager Equinox Software, Inc. / Your Library's Guide to Open Source email:slipsc...@esilibrary.com direct: 770-709-5590 or 877-OPEN-ILS web:www.esilibrary.com
Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] State of the map of Evergreen libraries?
I just noticed there is a spot on the map for North Texas Regional Library System, they are not using Evergreen and can be removed. It was likely a case of mistaken identity with our group. Thanks, Geoff Sams Roanoke Public Library 817-491-2691 Chairman North Texas Library Consortium Board -Original Message- From: open-ils-general-boun...@list.georgialibraries.org [mailto:open-ils-general-boun...@list.georgialibraries.org] On Behalf Of Ben Hyman Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 2:01 PM To: Evergreen Discussion Group Subject: Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] State of the map of Evergreen libraries? Hi Tony, On 2012-05-09, at 11:29 AM, Tony Bandy wrote: Hi all, At the risk of being the cause of too much email in folk's inboxes, could COOL be added as well (server maintained @OHIONET in Col. Ohio, several libraries around the state)? How Cool! ;) We're two libraries strong and counting, with 8 in the consortium by next year. Here's our catalog: http://cool-cat.org Here's our consortial map: http://info.cool-cat.org/?page_id=13 Added a place mark for COOL with the description you provided. I think the KML file will get fleshed out with specific branch locations as a next step in this mapping adventure. But for now, at least, this quick'n'easy map can do the trick. If there are other consortia or standalones that folks don't see on the map, let me know! Cheers Ben Tony *** Tony Bandy to...@ohionet.org OHIONET 1500 West Lane Ave. Columbus, OH 43221-3975 1-800-686-8975 x19 On Wed, May 9, 2012 at 2:15 PM, Ben Hyman ben.hy...@bc.libraries.coop wrote: On 2012-05-09, at 10:15 AM, Mary Toma wrote: None of the Manitoba libraries are included on this map. Mary Hi Mary, They actually were, but for some reason, they appeared in Minnesota ;) In the correct jurisdiction now, though likely not the correct lat/long From: open-ils-general-boun...@list.georgialibraries.org [mailto:open-ils-general-boun...@list.georgialibraries.org] On Behalf Of Ben Hyman Sent: May 9, 2012 8:11 AM To: Evergreen Discussion Group Subject: Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] State of the map of Evergreen libraries? Resending belatedly. Initial reply went --abyss On 2012-05-05, at 8:23 PM, Ben Hyman wrote: HI Dan, On 2012-05-05, at 2:40 PM, Dan Scott wrote: Hi: During Ben Hyman's opening bit on international libraries, he mentioned that he had started trying to resurrect the map of Evergreen libraries that Bob Molyneux had originally created. Here's the map I threw together for the presentation: http://g.co/maps/6pgfb I know that several people have obtained copies of Bob's KML file; I'm wondering if it makes sense to try and organize a collaborative effort on keeping the data up to date? Love that idea. Happy to help keep it current. Ben (I'll admit that I have an ulterior motive of wanting to point at a map with such data during an upcoming presentation at PGCon 2012 - and while there's Mr. Breeding's effort, I have a strong bias towards community-maintained data...) Dan Ben Hyman Managing Director | BC Libraries Cooperative ben.hy...@bc.libraries.coop (tf) 1.855.383.5761 ext 1001 (p) 250.590.7676 (f) 250.984.7459 bc.libraries.coop image001.jpg
Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] [OPEN-ILS-DEV] Bibliomation has planted a seed - look at what's growing in Evergreen now!
Hi Lori, Good point about Launchpad. Fortunately, the original problem was reported publicly back in April and discussed in IRC and other areas at length. This is a link to the existing bug ticket on the subject: https://bugs.launchpad.net/evergreen/+bug/984963 Notably, that bug ticket doesn't include the word Syndetics in the title, but that was because we were trying to be inclusive since when we first made the report, we did not know all the available added content providers currently employed by Evergreen libraries or what scope we were aiming for. -- Ben On 05/10/2012 01:25 PM, Lori Bowen Ayre wrote: Huzzah! Sounds exciting! But one thing...shouldn't the Launchpad entry as well as a Bug be entered NOW so that everyone who doesn't see this email stands a better chance of knowing this work is in the works? Even a skeletel entry in Launchpad would be good. That's what I believe should happen (and that is what I've been telling the new developers I work with to do). We also talked about putting development initiatives and RFPs in one area so people could see what twinkles were in other library's eyes. The only place I found for such a thing was http://evergreen-ils.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=development_proposals But the above link appears to contain primarily things the developers put there for the GSOC project. And some of it is very old. I'm wondering if we need to a) update that page b) make it less buried (i.e. a link off that same Community menu item we are going to have? or should be under the Contribute menu?) Thoughts? Lori On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Suzannah Lipscomb slipsc...@esilibrary.com mailto:slipsc...@esilibrary.com wrote: Bibliomation, Inc http://biblio.org/., Connecticut's largest library consortium, is sponsoring the integration of Syndetic Solutions http://www.bowker.com/en-US/products/syndetics/ by Bowker with Template Toolkit OPAC (TPAC) in Evergreen http://open-ils.org/. Equinox http://esilibrary.com/esi/ developers will be writing the code for this project. TPAC will be able to support cover images, reviews, summaries, table of contents, excerpts, and author notes from Syndetic Solutions. Once the code is written, it will be submitted on launchpad https://launchpad.net/evergreen, where another developer will need to review and approve it. Once the code is signed off on by another developer, then it can be submitted for inclusion in the next major release of Evergreen. For more information, contact Amy Terlaga at Bibliomation / terl...@biblio.org mailto:terl...@biblio.org Cheers, Suzannah -- Suzannah Lipscomb Project Manager Equinox Software, Inc. / Your Library's Guide to Open Source email:slipsc...@esilibrary.com mailto:slipsc...@esilibrary.com direct:770-709-5590 tel:770-709-5590 or 877-OPEN-ILS web:www.esilibrary.com http://www.esilibrary.com -- Benjamin Shum Open Source Software Coordinator Bibliomation, Inc. 32 Crest Road Middlebury, CT 06762 203-577-4070, ext. 113
[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Notes from Today's Web Team Meeting
Hi All, The Web Team met today (via conference call). Attendees included: Amy Terlaga, Anoop, June Rayner, Galen, Jim Craner, Ben Shum, Kate Sheehan, Steve Wills and Lori Ayre. Since the topic had just come up on the General Mailing List (via an email from Suzanne Lipscomb of ESI letting people know about upcoming development to be done with Bibliomation to provide Syndetics integration), we talked about how to make it easier for people to keep abreast of who's doing what in terms of development. After much discussion, it was decided that Lori, Steve, Amy and Galen would propose a protocol for people to use that would be easy and help ensure that people could find info about development projects underway as well as development projects being pursued or just vaguely of interest. The sub-committee will focus on using existing resources (Launchpad, Wiki, Mailing Lists) and come up with suggestions. The Web Team will share the recommended protocol with the Community and seek feedback. Your ideas are welcome too! We discussed the need for some minor revisions to the Communication Guidelines. June and Ben will work on those changes. Then we'll get Chris Sharp or Jason to have those guidelines automatically sent out once a month on the General List. One tweak we'll make is to make explicit the idea that the General List is the one list that all silos (to use the term we were using at the Conference) should be reporting back to. In other words, as we all do our work on other mailing lists, phone calls, IRC, etcalways remember to update the General List with info about your activities. We're trying to connect those wonderfully productive silos of activity! Speaking of which, we are proud to have had the first Newsletter come out already! Yay, Amy! The next one will also include a development update which will including a little something about what is happening in IRC as well as what folks are doing out in the community so send your info to the General List or Amy directly. This will be easier to keep track of once we get the aforementioned protocol established. Finally, we talked about the idea of mocking up a website that addresses the work the Web Team has done so far in terms identifying the differing needs of the various personas that make up our community. Jim Craner, Steve Wills, Anoop, and Lori will take the next step. Exactly what that next step is wasn't clear but something like a site architecture or wireframe I think. Stay tuned! The next meeting of the Web Team will be June 14th at 2pm EST (11am PST). Call in number: 866 365 4406 / 3693433# Jump into the IRC channel for that meeting as well (Info about how to do that is here: http://evergreen-ils.org/irc.php) Lori Ayre
[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Library2Go / Overdrive
Some of our libraries are running into a problem whereby patrons with an automatic alert (penalty/message) on their account - e.g. expired, maximum fines - are unable to access Library2Go ebooks. That's potentially acceptable in some cases, but the alert also appears when patrons have reached their maximum allowable physical checkouts. These patrons are blocked from Library2Go even though they shouldn't be. Any thoughts on how to address this? Thanks, Brian Brian Greene, Library Director Columbia Gorge Community College The Dalles, Oregon 97058 (541) 506-6080 | www.cgcc.cc.or.us
