Creating a new Biblioscape Database
This page specifies steps to create a new Biblioscape 7 database which will assure that the Biblioscape 7 sample database is retained untouched, that the main Biblioscape references remain available in their original form, and that any existing research database is not altered in any way.
Open Biblioscape 7 and chose the drop down menu item File|Database|New Database.
A save as dialogue box will open positioned in the folder containing the currently open database. If this is the sample database located within the installation folder of the main application the location will be something like C:\Program Files\Biblioscape 7\Sample.
Choose a different location to create a new Biblioscape database (This document will assume a database is created in the C:\My Documents folder), navigate to that location and create the database by typing in “Biblioscape 7 Tutorial” and then select the Save Button. Biblioscape will create a new folder and relevant database files, then open that new database. If the Cancel Button is selected from the Save as Dialogue box no action will be taken by the application.
Note that the newly created database is now open and that the path to the open database appears in the Biblioscape title bar. E.g. C:\Documents and Settings\[User Name]\My Documents\Biblioscape 7 Tutorial\Biblioscape 7 Tutorial.bsl
Open the “Windows Explorer” (Windows 
+E keys), and navigate to the location where the ‘Biblioscape 7 Tutorial’ database has been created.
At this point take a moment to review the results of the new database creation process. A folder with the name given to the database is created. Inside that folder two empty folders are created:-
- attachments
- backup
The ‘attachments’ folder is for storing attachments to references, for example .pdf, graphics, audio or video files. The ‘attachments’ folder name is important, and should not normally be changed, as it simplifies any movement of the Biblioscape database, including all the database attachments, whilst retaining the reference links within the database. Sub-folders may be created within the ‘attachments’ folder and can be named as required.
The back up folder is intended to store a back up of the database. If the database is important good advice is that a main back up is also stored separately forming a more resilient disaster recovery regime.
A number of files are also created within the ‘Biblioscape 7 Tutorial’ folder one of which is the main Biblioscape file (.bsl), with the others forming the individual database tables. (Each table consisting of .dat .idx and .blb files.)
Still in Windows Explorer navigate to the Biblioscape 7 install folder (In this case C:\Program Files\Biblioscape 7). Copy (CTRL+C) the “Reftypes” folder and paste (CTRL+P) that copy into the “Biblioscape Tutorial” folder previously created. Do not use drag and drop, as dependent upon the hardware configuration of the computer used that may move the original folder to the new location. A copy is what is required, leaving the original in place.
Create a new folder called “Import Filters” in the C:\Documents and Settings\[User Name]\My Documents\Biblioscape 7 Tutorial\attachments folder. This will be used in the Import Filters tutorial to store backup copies of the filters created. These actions should result in a set of folders as illustrated.
The “reftypes” folder contains a number of text files each of which relates to an individual reference type within the database. The reference types can be added to and edited very simply from within Biblioscape and so the files may well change as the database is customised and develops. Although the text files can be edited with a text editor such as Notepad, doing so can very easily cause errors within Biblioscape and is not advised.
The “reftypes” folder is copied into the Biblioscape 7 Tutorial database folder so that the changes made to that databases references during the tutorial will not be reflected in any other Biblioscape database. It is not necessary for the database to work, as the default “reftypes” folder contents are used if a “reftypes” folder is not found in a created database folder. This copy “reftypes” folder effectively provides tailored “reftypes” for this particular database.
Note. The next set of actions create a database shortcut. Any database shortcut to a Biblioscape 7 database will only work correctly if the .bsl file is associated with the Biblioscape 7 program file rather than any earlier version of Biblioscape.
Finally, if a working Biblioscape research database already exists, create a shortcut to the “Biblioscape 7 Tutorial” as a means of simplifying switching between the databases. For those unfamiliar with this process move to an open Windows Explorer or if one is not open (Windows +E keys). Navigate to the new “Biblioscape 7 Tutorial” folder and look in the list displayed in the right hand pane of Windows Explorer as illustrated below.
If the Windows Explorer view is displayed differently or not recognizably similar to the above select the Windows Toolbar Views button and choose the Icons view from the drop down menu as illustrated.
Select the Biblioscape 7 Tutorial database icon 
, right click it and choose “Create Shortcut” from the drop down menu. Notice a new icon will be created at the end of the list with the name “Shortcut to Biblioscape 7 Tutorial” or similar. The description and icon graphic may differ and will be dependent upon how the system is configured.
Now place that new shortcut on the Desktop, in the Startup menu or Quick Launch and rename if necessary by removing the phrase “Shortcut to ” leaving “Biblioscape 7 Tutorial”.
Assuming a normal single personal computer install of Windows XP the users Start Menu is located at C:\Documents and Settings\User name\Start Menu. If the Biblioscape start menu folder does not appear there check in the All Users\Start Menu folder.
The Quick Launch folder is a hidden folder located at C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch. To make the Quick Launch visible on the Windows Tasks Bar right mouse click on the Windows Task Bar and select Toolbars|Quick Launch. Persons not familiar with Windows may find it simpler to use the Desktop or normal start menu until familiar enough with Windows to navigate hidden folders safely.
Congratulations, you have created a Biblioscape 7 database and briefly familiarised yourself with some basic setup issues.