Version 1.3 of the Museum Archive software project is now available at the site (www.musarch.com). This release takes care of a few minor cosmetic items, but it also introduces two new features.
First, it seems that many users are entering similar items into the database, and it gets to be a pain to fill in the same values in the Object table time after time. For example, a group of objects might all have the same General Category, Category, Collection, Source Category, Status, and so on. Users have requested a way to automate the process a little by filling in those fields during subsequent Insert operations. I’ve added a check box on the main Object browse:
If you check this box, the software will remember your entries and try to use them on subsequent inserts during the current work session. It forgets these “default” entries as soon as you exit the software, and it only remembers some of the settings on the Object header form - fields that are likely to have the same value from object to object. You can turn it on and off at will. I think this will help to speed up those repetitive entries.
Another feature that people seem to really want is the ability to store the images associated with objects in the database. Prior to version 1.3, the database recorded a link to the image. Now, you have the choice of using a link pointing to a separate image file or telling the software to copy the image into the database. You can mix and match this option - use some links and some internally stored images - it is up to you. The path to the image file is still stored in the database if you choose to store the image internally, but that is more of a reminder. Once the image is stored internally, the software no longer uses the link.
As images are stored, the database size will grow accordingly, so keep this in mind.
These two new features are available in the premium edition of the software.
The installation (setup) files for both editions now include a copy of the import/export utility and a copy of the read-only viewer. The premium upgrade installation file is password protected; registered users can obtain a password by writing to support@musarch.com.
This new version makes a small modification to the database structure, so be sure to backup your TPS files prior to installing the new release.