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The ISBN Converter converts ISBN numbers to Ibidem records that can be added to your Ibidem database. ISBN numbers can be copied/pasted from any source, or they can be scanned using a hand-held ISBN Barcode Scanner. The ISBN Converter is not part of the Nota Bene Workstation but is available at extra cost as part of the Archiva+ add on module. For a video demonstration of the ISBN Converter, see www.notabene.com/videos.html
If you are going to use the ISBN Converter with a hand-held ISBN barcode scanner, you must have the barcode scanner installed and working on your computer. The software provided by Nota Bene does nothing to help you install or activate your hardware; it merely converts scanned ISBN barcodes to Ibidem format so that the records can be added to your permanent database. Follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer of the scanner. Your scanner must be running either directly (via USB HID) or indirectly (via keyboard wedge software) as a "keyboard." See "Notes on Scanners" at the bottom of this page.
To convert ISBN numbers:
| 1 | Click Tools, Archiva, Look up ISBN Numbers. The Lookup ISBN Numbers/Scan Codes dialog will open |
| 2 | Make sure that the cursor (a flashing vertical line) is in the big box at the top of the dialog. Enter ISBN numbers by copying/pasting them or by typing them in, using either ISBN 10 or ISBN 13 (spaces and/or hyphens are optional). A barcode scanner can also be used to enter ISBN numbers. |
| Warning: If the textbox in the middle does not have focus (as indicated by the presence of the cursor), and you are connecting a scanner with scans in its memory, they will be dumped to whatever windows has focus (and if that window does not accept typed keyboard input, they will be lost) |
| 3 | You can globally add text to specified fields by typing the desired text in the "Option: Enter Text to Add" frame at the bottom half of the dialog and selecting the desired options. The text will be added to the specified field for each record. If you specify that text should be appended to any existing data in the field (rather than replacing any existing data), then the text you specify will be added with a semicolon and a space separating it from existing data. If you prefer to use different punctuation as a separator, you can type it in at the beginning of the text. |
| Example: If you are scanning books at a library or at a conference, you might want to add the name of the library or conference to the AN (annotation) field or to the KW (keyword) field. |
| 5 | Click Yes when asked if you want to view results. |
| 6 | Results are presented in a temporary Ibidem database called {ISBN #s}. You can edit the records and/or add them to your permanent Ibidem database. |
| 7 | Check the records that you would like to add to your database and use the bar at the bottom left of the screen to specify which records you would like to add (current record, checked record, etc.) and which database should receive the record(s). Click the first button to the right to add the record (s) or the second one to check each record for duplicates before adding. |
Once you click OK on the Lookup ISBN Numbers/Scan Barcodes dialog (step 4 above), the program looks up the ISBN numbers in the Library of Congress. If it does not find that ISBN number there, it checks other web sites to try to find the data there. Finally, where possible, it tries to complete/correct the partial information from these other sites by looking up data again in the Library of Congress. Often when an entry is not found in the Library of Congress, it is because the ISBN number is for a paperback edition. By finding that paperback edition on the other site, it is often possible to find the hardback ISBN, and then look this up in the Library of Congress. Completed data is presented to you in Ibidem format.
There are many uses for scanning ISBN numbers:
| • | Enter books from your personal library into Ibidem (scan a shelf/bookcase at a time, and then designate the location in the "Option: Enter Text to Add" frame). |
| • | Create a list of books you want to check out or buy from your local library. |
| • | Create a list of books you want to buy later and/or read while browsing in your local bookstore. |
| • | Create a list of new books in your field that you need to buy or read when attending the book booths at your annual academic convention. |
Notes on Scanners
| • | Your scanner should either (a) have a USB HID (Human Interface Device) or "keyboard" mode or (b) have "keyboard wedge" software. In the former case, once the scanner is installed, no other software is required; in the latter case, software is definitely required. That is, only scanners that work, either directly (via USB HID) or indirectly (via keyboard wedge software) as "keyboards" will work with the Nota Bene ISBN Converter. |
| • | Scanners can be either (a) always tethered (i.e., they can only scan when they are connected to your computer), or (b) tethered, with a batch mode (to offload the scans, you have to connect the scanner), or (c) fully cordless (such as Bluetooth). The first can only scan and insert items one at a time; the latter two let you accumulate multiple scans, and then later download them to your system. |
The following notes describe the general issues with the basic Microvision ROV scanner (with which we have tested Archiva). Like most scanners, this is a serial device, although it does come in a Blue Tooth version.
(1) If your computer has a serial port, after installing the scanner, you will need to install the "keyboard wedge" software (you need to get this from the Microvision web site), and configure it so that it is always running (i.e., when you start your computer)
(2) If you computer has no serial port, you will need to purchase the USB adaptor for the scanner; the cable for devices now being shipped by Microvision comes with a cable that supports two different modes:
| (2A) Keyboard (or USB HID mode)—when you plug in the device, Windows should be able to automatically install the device; no other software is required |
| (2B) VCOM (or "virtual comm port") mode—you will need to install both (a) the software for that serial-to-USB device (you may need to find this on the web), and (b) the "keyboard wedge" software (you need to get this from the Microvision web site), and configure it so that it is always running (i.e., when you start your computer) |
Note that 2A is the recommended method; if you are using Vista, it is the required method (there is no Vista-compatible serial-to-USB software for this particular cable).
Note, finally, that if you have an earlier version of the Flic or ROV scanners from Microvision, or scanners from other sources, that lack this USB HID mode, you will need to run them according to the directions in 2A above
See also:
Archiva Overview
Bibliography Converter
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