teaching the old nmai new tricks redesigning object movement and data compilation workflows using...
TRANSCRIPT
Teaching the Old NMAI New Tricks
Redesigning Object Movement and Data Compilation Workflows
using IMu and the Statistics module
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
“Lucy's latest trick” by Philip Bump is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Two projects
• Using IMu to build a web application for real-time object location changes
• Using eperiodic scripts to capture “record quality” data in the statistics module
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
Barcodes, barcodes, barcodes
• Started 15 years ago; all objects are barcoded
• Batch upload process
• Incorporated process into EMu in 2006
• Began exploration of other systems
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
Pursuing change
• Questions on our minds:– How to upgrade the equipment?– How to bring EMu into collections?– How to keep a real-time inventory?
• Pursued MVWise – only option at time
• Other upgrades– Create barcodes with Crystal– Update barcode printersThursday, October 16th,
2014
Rethinking again…
• In 2013 – began to reevaluate again
• Questions on our minds this time:– Is there newer equipment?– Do we need to bring EMu into collections?– How can we keep it expandable?
• Use new IMu capabilities
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
What did we do?
• KE built – KE supports
• Focused on main task – object movements
• Bonus: group functionality
• IPod Touch, Linea Pro, ICody + CIMoN
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
How does it work?
• Log in with EMu account
• Object relocation or Create group
• Then scan barcodes
• For Groups, hit submit. For objects, already done.
• LogoutThursday, October 16th, 2014
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
Perks
• Fast! 19,000 moves were recorded since Sept 1
• Holds scans in dead zones
• Lightweight and easy to use
• People are happy!
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
Challenges
• Weaknesses – dependence on ICody
• Can’t upgrade – need to test and don’t have sufficient resources
• Uses licenses – remind users need to log out
• Linea Pro drains batteryThursday, October 16th, 2014
What next?
• Explore expanding the app – Enabling sharing of groups– Bringing basic intranet into collections spaces
• Working with KE to try to make more platform independent
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
Statistics, statistics, statistics
• Have gathered from the advent of NMAI
• In recent years – more complex
• Standards for record and image quality
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
Record and image quality
• Rate records and images as standard, above standard, etc.– What fields constitute a good record?– What image resolutions constitute a good
image?– What metadata should be entered?
• Imagine for a moment what this looks like…
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
How has this been done?
• Over 800,000+ items in EMu – this is really hard
• On front end – takes weeks
• Dump in Access – takes days
• I want better…
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
Statistics in EMu
• Started to explore using eperiodic scripts and statistics module
• Benefits:– Track numbers that change over time– Great for complicated queries– Runs at night and more often
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
“Sleeping Cat” by Ella Mullins is licensed under CC BY 4.0
What did we do?
• I provide queries - KE built SQL & Perl scripts
• Just finished implementing first 6 queries.– Total “Below Standard” object records &
number of items represented by those records– Total “Standard” object records & items
represented – Total “Above Standard” object records & items
representedThursday, October 16th, 2014
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
Challenges
• Getting numbers to line up– Leave yourself time– Check the numbers
• No in-house Perl expertise, so had to wait for KE
• Not necessarily less time than Access, but can do in off hours
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
What next?
• Probably more scripts – estimate that there are ~30 more scripts that could be built
• Find in-house Perl expertise to help?
• Determine how to track changes to standards
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
Don’t be shy…
• Michael and I will be on tour at NMAI – CRC
• Will do brief demo
• Barcode questions to Michael
• Statistics questions to me
• Or find us at lunch or the receptionThursday, October 16th, 2014
“Shy” by Ängela Antunes is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Questions?
• Kara Lewis, Collections Information Program Manager, Smithsonian NMAI
• Michael Skadowski, IT Specialist, Smithsonian NMAI
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
For a limited time only!