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VTLS Inc. has announced the availability of a new, comprehensive cataloging client that supports the character repertoire of the Unicode Standard or
any single Windows-based code page. The VTLS cataloging can be used in three modes¾as a stand-alone product; an integrated cataloging editor for the VTLS Virtua Z39.50-based server, or an editor for any other Z39.50
server that supports downloading and uploading of records in MARC communications format.
The client, which runs under Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT, offers three different editors, a metadata crosswalk, a character conversion
translator, a record validator, and a bulk record display. Each of these features is briefly described below:
Of the three editors, one is a full MARC editor, which provides wrap-around text editing capabilities, variable size edit boxes, and a special
display for bib-level and type fields.
The MARC editor also supports preset work forms that contain fixed data that can be edited to suit local needs. The second is a fixed field editor, which allows a formatted display of fixed field elements that can be individually edited. The layout and display in the editor change with each record format.
The third is a label editor, which supports easy-to-edit layouts of MARC records for novice users of the MARC format. It maps the MARC record
into a user-defined, label-based editor where each tag and subfield can have a separate label.
An automatic crosswalk between metadata (such as Dublin Core) and the MARC format is also built into the client. Using the label editor,
librarians can create a simple workform for metadata elements, and the software automatically maps the records between metadata format and the MARC format.
The client comes with a translator, which converts copied or imported records in standard Windows character sets to Unicode.
Extensions are available to import the full ALA character set and automatically translate it into Unicode prior to storage.
A complete rules-based validation subsystem allows the validation of bibliographic, authority, holdings, patron, and vendor records, all of which
are in MARC communications format in Virtua. A powerful but easy-to-use rules language lets users write their own rules within minutes. The system comes with more than 3,000 rules for bibliographic records
alone. Any type of record stored in 2709 format can be validated using this system. Users can create their own validation files or use the individual validation file that exists for each record type.
Support for such additional features as bulk display and editing of records, tiling displays, moving data between records, creating easy-to-use work
forms, and cutting and pasting authority entries reflects the flexibility of the cataloging client.
The Unicode standard supports many characters.
The keyboard on the other hand is limited to a single language. In order to facilitate the editing of records containing words and characters from multiple languages the software allows for easy switching of keyboards. A virtual keyboard can also be displayed if required. All these features together make for a very powerful cataloging client.
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