The data model for MicroLCS is simple, consisting of three databases: The Title database, the Item database and the Location database.

Each title in MicroLCS can have one or more item records associated with it. Item records are used to indicate individual copies of a title, or parts of a title in a collection. Item records are displayed with the detailed title record in a search. Items can be added to or deleted from a title, or modified, independent of the title record that references them.

Only title records are indexed. Item records are not indexed but are accessed indirectly through searches on the title record.

The location database stores patron records. This is not used in the OPAC only version of MicroLCS. A location is an abstraction that includes patrons and any other entity that can contain items.

Avanti MicroLCS is a client-server application. A client-server application consists of two programs: the server and the client which talk to eachother over a network connection. the server program is the part that does all the work of maintaining the databases. The client program is what the user interacts with when using the system. The client sends commands and data to the server and presents the responses to the user. Typically there can be many clients talking to one server at the same time.

The Avanti MicroLCS server provides a command line interface for maintenance and monitoring tasks. When the server is started you will see the server command prompt:

 

Avanti MicroLCS Version 1.0.1  Build 2006.9.23  Serial No.: 000000
MicroLCS Server>

To get a list of commands type help at the command prompt and press the Enter key.

  MicroLCS Server> help
   
  Commands:
     backup  : Backup library data to an archive file.
     help : List server commands and their syntax.
     init  : Initialize the library database.
     quit : Stop the server and exit.
     restore  : Restore library data from an archive file.  
     status : Show current server status.
     start [reindex] : Start the server.
     ver : Version statement.
   
  MicroLCS Server>

The command that you will use most often is the start command to start up the server. To start up the library system type

  
start

at the server command prompt. The server console will display the status as it builds the indexes and will indicate when the system has started successfully.

While the server is running you can get information about its current status by using the status command.

  MicroLCS Server> status
  MicroLCS is up
  PATH: /home/pschlumpf/microlcs  
  LIBRARY: system
  PORT: 3104
  HOSTNAME: localhost
  MAX FBR: 60000
  MAX ITEMS: 32000
  MAX LOCATIONS: 5000
  MicroLCS Server>

To bring down the server type quit at the command prompt. The server will shut down and exit.

The server program allows you to start the system directly from the operating system. For example typing

 
./microlcs start reindex

at the OS command prompt will run the start command automatically from the operating system. This is useful if you want the server to run automatically as a service.

MicroLCS includes three different clients: The Catalog client, the Search client, and the Applet client. Each of these clients are standalone programs and are designed for a particular purpose. The catalog client provides searching functions along with tools for catalog maintenance. The search client and the applet client provide search functions only. The regular search client is a standalone application. The Applet client provides catalog searching on from a library's web page.

The user interface consists of two main elements -- a "work area," and a "control panel" directly under the work area. The work area displays data and tools for specific tasks. The Control Panel features a single search input line and buttons to access basic searching functions (see Part 3) and other tools.

The elements that are found in the control panel are arranged from left to right in the likely order that they would be used during a search session. The drop down selects the index to search on. The text input area is for entering search terms. Click on a button to execute a task.

• Find    Executes a search.
• New    Create a new title record (catalog client only).
• Status    Shows status of the server and connection (catalog client only).
• Bookmarks    Displays items bookmarked during a search session.
• Help    Context sensitive help.
• Clear    Clears search session and/or exits the client program.

In the lower-left corner of the control panel is a status indicator  .    It displays the current state of the client. READY on a neutral background means that the client is ready to accept input. A green background means the client is busy talking to the server. A red background indicates an error.

The Control Panel is persistent -- it is always there. No matter what you are doing you can always search the catalog. It is unneccessary to have to "navigate" the interface to do a search. The need to navigate to anything at all has been almost entirely designed out of the MicroLCS user interface. You always have at hand just what you need when you need it. Tasks flows naturally from one screen to the next. This makes learning to use the interface very quick and easy. There is no hunting around for tools in an overpopulated drop-down menu. As a general rule you are never more than one or two mouse clicks away from any task at any time.

If you need help, click the Help button in the control panel. You will get context-sensitive help about whatever screen you happen to be at. The help screen appears in a separate window. The online help window also provides an index of all topics in online help.

The Applet client is identical to the search-only standalone client, but runs in a web browser.