Firstly, let me say that I love virtual folders! They are very helpful.
Unfortunately, I find that they mess things up now and then. Generally, I find I need to be rebuilding my database every day when it is in use (!!!). The references seem to always stay there even if the tables are corrupted. But they do disappear from the folders they are assigned to. This makes the folder usage problematic obviously. It is also difficult to recover the previous state as it is impossible to know where the problems are.
Also, database corruptions are VERY often caused by the folder operations. This leads to crashes, etc. etc. For example, right-click Create Child Folder command is a common offender.
I cannot give you a sequence of steps as the problems are inconsistent. But if you will try using the virtual folders on a sizable and varied database you will see what I mean, no doubt.
I just thought I would let you know hoping that these problems will be fixed. Otherwise, this kind of advanced functionality is too unreliable to be really useful. Which is a great pity.
In version 7, there will be
In version 7, there will be no virtual folders. Instead, you can classify records using tags. A new categories module will be introduced for this. It will not only apply to references, but also notes, tasks, charts modules.
How to group then?
I do not think one can replace the other. It is good to be able to group and display entries by keywords, tags or similar but in my opinion and practice it is also essential to be able to make arbitrary non-exclusive groupings. Tags are static to an entry, therefore arbitrary groupings via tags are not possible. Virtual folders is a good, if under-featured and unstable system. I might be misinterpreting your plans for v.7. If you want to have a look at a good example, I can suggest iView MediaPro. They have a demo version if you do not know the application. While far from perfect, iView is very good working with metadata. I particularly like (from what comes to mind):
The ability to add, move, remove visually
Controlled vocabularies for a wide variety of tags that are easy to control visually
Autofill everywhere
The ability to easily remap paths to external references
Virtual sets (folders) and other virtual visual groupings that are generated manually and can be easily combined
Nice, simple interface (that could still be improved)
Maybe something to borrow from…. As for the v.7 – how will it support arbitrary hierarchical nonexclusive groupings? I hope this functionality will not be lost.
And also what is its status? Is the beta out already?
I’d be very curious to hear more.
I think because the word
I think because the word folder and tag have been used in so many different applications, it is very easy to cause mis-understanding. In Biblioscape 7, the categories module has all the features of the old folder plus more. IView is cool. Folder and categories won't be used to manage metadate in Biblioscape 7. The reference module already has about 60 fields to manage meta-data. Arbitrary hierarchical nonexclusive groupings won't be lost in version 7. It will be moved from folder to categories. Just a name change and adding more features. Version 7 beta is not ready. We plan to make it available at the start of next year. Thanks.
I see. Thanks for the
I see. Thanks for the explanation. Good to hear. Good luck finishing it then.
never mind....
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