[Koha-devel] News from the CVS (future Koha 2.2)

[paul POULAIN]

Hi everybody,

Some news of the CVS version, that will become version 2.2 (in 
September, wait for december for libraries that want something heavily 
tested).

What's already done :
* MARC search merged with non-MARC search. It's really more easy to use 
with 1 form only ! You can also order the result (by title, author, 
dewey, publisher, publicationyear)
* Search tools have been reworked. Search on Nelsonville DB (140 000 
biblios, 290 000 items) is instantaneous for searchs with a few results. 
The search needs some seconds when there is a lot of results. We will 
probably limit the number of results to 200.
* The OPAC search and the librarian search have been merged. In 2.0, we 
sometimes had differents results, that was really not funny ;-)
* Some improvements have been realised in members interface. It's mostly 
code reorganizing, the user should see only a few differences.
* Nelsonville did a few changes on z3950 servers.
* Issuing rules : the code for issuing has been completly 
reorganized/rewritten. The 1st goal is to be able to have issuing max & 
length defined for a given branch / item type / borrower type. The 2nd 
goal is to have a clear & documented code to be able to modify it 
easily. So a library with really specific rules should be able to add 
it's own in Koha.
* The librarian interface produces better HTML code. Almost XHMLT compliant.

What is decided & affected :
* Cataloguing framework : a great improvement !!! In 2.2, the library 
will be able to define a MARC framework for each itemtype. You will be 
able to define a MARC form for monography, one for serials, one for CD, 
multimedia... Each framework will have it's own cataloguing rules. 
Really a great improvement !!! And fully compatible with 2.0 database
* MARC authority : in Koha 2.0, authorities are poorly handled. In 2.2, 
full MARC support will be provided.
* export of biblios in OPAC in iso2709 or human readable form, to a mail 
address, or by http download.
* Serial module : subscribing, cataloguing... serials.

important notes :
* for MARC authority, functionnal needs are specified for UNIMARC. We 
will need some help to validate it for MARC21 too.
* all the decided & affected feature described in this mail are funded 
by "Ecole des Mines de Paris". Either by direct funding, or through a 
developper they have hired, since May, 1st, for 4-6 months.

--
Paul POULAIN
Consultant indépendant en logiciels libres
responsable francophone de koha (SIGB libre http://www.koha-fr.org)