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Same thing, from a different direction
Not: How do we go about this?Rather: How did this happen?Unfortunate biographical orientation
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1970s: Programming as it once was
Library school class: PL/I on punch cards, on mainframe
First job: PL/I (on my own)Basics of programming (variables,
structure)
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1980s: Technological advances
IBM PC with 2 5-1/4" floppy drives (MS-DOS; program/data)
Built-in BASIC (start computer with no DOS)
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IBM dual-floppy PC
Courtesy Ruben de Rijcke
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Next library
Mentioned programming in interview"We need to do something about
acquisitions"Purchased a stand-alone PC, backup
system (VHS tape!)New programming language: dBase IIIA year later: acquisitions system
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IBM PC as OCLC terminal: opportunity
Save screen image as a file on floppy, then process
First: transfer bib data into acquisitions system
Second: convert authority records into authority and cross-reference cards
Third: create new MARC authority records, print more cards
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Skills acquired
Several programming languagesRelational database structure Intimate understanding of MARC
formatsProcessing of authority data
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Authority cards lead to next job
Authorities librarianCollaborate with ISDO (NOTIS)Pulled into ISDOEventually 1/2 and 1/2 (ISDO and
authorities)
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ISDO: Sink or swim
Learn IBM 360 assemblerFirst program: Batch corrections Indexing improvements, etc.
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Post-ISDO
Interact with NOTIS via terminal emulator; programming interface
Windows programmingLearn another language (VB)Authority record creationCataloger's toolkit
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Post-NOTIS
VoyagerLearn: Oracle, SQL, PL/SQL Interact with Voyager via ODBC and
(later) programming interfaceSpine labels, cataloger’s toolkit,
loaders (including authority loader), etc., etc.
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Recent things
Numerous XML flavorsMore languages: .NET family; Java
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Looking ahead
Next system: new ground rulesProbably web clients, not local clients Interfaces rather than direct access
[?]New environments and languagesRuby, Hydra, etc.
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What are the themes?
Change is constant, and acceleratingProgramming best done by people
who know the materialGrow in-house expertise
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What are the themes?
Details can be learnedTrade production for other valuable
thingsSupport staff in learning new stuffFormal training, self-instruction,
consultants; etc.
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What are the themes?
Best project: something that you’re interested in doing anyway
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Questions?