Depts

Edited some of the credits for images, links on the home page. Discovered attached file with updates on Qualicum conference wasn't usable (WordPerfect file), so asked dept for file in different formant for use on web.

Spent some time setting up and testing digitizing from reel-to-reel in preparation for a task next week. Systems is working OK. Threading is OUTSIDE the outside pins, and INSIDE the inside pins.

Received an updated XML file from Yuko for the Katakana project. Checked it for validity, and then uploaded it into the main project db, and also into the Katakana 2 port we have running currently on Greg's machine for testing the new eXist.

Got feedback from Janelle on revitalized search function. Mostly OK, but there may still be a problem with layout of reports including the long-s. Also, Janelle wondering about returning short-s and long-s results seperately. Appended a couple of small items to "to-do" list for this site which I hope to get to in January.

With Greg:

• Installed new Cocoon+eXist on his machine.
• Uploaded Katakana2 (version ported for new eXist) into it.
• Ran basic accuracy tests -- all correct against old version.
• Ran speed tests:
  • Some queries were up to 10x faster under default setup.
  • Other queries were up to 4x slower.
• Configured range indexes to help with slower queries. This more than solved the problem; slower queries were now nearly 3x faster than on the original setup.

Concluded that this is ready for deployment on Lettuce, under Tomcat 6, using port 8080 (so it becomes the default Cocoon/eXist deployment on Lettuce).

Replaced last instance (which appeared in the xquery for the full-text search) of problematic "id($id)" construction in search.php with working code.
Discovered problem in the search.xsl file. The bit that looks like it is supposed to generate context text generates errors instead. For the time being I have commented out the one line of working code (Mike has a block of code there already commented out).
So, am now getting back list of hits from index search and full-text search and they link properly to original articles. Am not getting the "IC" part of "KWIC", but I'm not sure if they ever were.
Emailed Janelle and Melanie, asked them to test the page and report.
related post

The following announcement went out to all departments yesterday.

** IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT**
** Please distribute to your faculty and staff**

**** CALL FACILITY CLOSED DECEMBER 18TH-JANUARY 8TH 2007***

Hello Everyone,

I hope this email finds you all well, and not too frantic with the end of the semester exam preparations and of course all of this crazy weather!

The CALL Facility will be undergoing renovations starting on the 16th of December 2006 through to the 8th of January 2007. During this time the CALL Facility will be CLOSED. We will re-open on the 8th of January 2007. We apologize for this inconvenience and hope that you will bear with us during this time. We will still be responding to your emails.

For those instructors wishing to have orientations/demos in the CALL Facility, these will commence on the 10th of January 2007. Please contact Ali to book these asap.

These renovations are extremely important for the CALL Facility, thus the urgency of this project. The front counter area of the CALL Facility will be completely renovated to allow for much needed and improved access for all users, staff, and most importantly those with disabilities.

We are very excited about this project, as the issue of accessibility and accommodation has become increasingly important over the past years. I can ensure you that all departments, students and staff will find these renovations beneficial. We look forward to continuing to provide you with the highest quality of service possible!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.