Aleph 18.01 Upgrade Project Overview

Harvard plans to upgrade from Aleph version 17.01 to 18.01 in August 2006. OIS staff, along with the Aleph Advisory Teams, are currently testing and configuring version 18.01. The cutover is tentatively scheduled to take place the weekend of August 19th and 20th. This page provides an overview of activities associated with this system upgrade.

Progress reports on this upgrade are being sent to the HULINFO mailing list and also posted to the Aleph Updates page.

If you have questions about this upgrade, please contact Kathleen Anderson in OIS.

Upgrade timeline and system availability
New client installation
Logging in and Working with Aleph Version 18.01
About Aleph 18.01
Documentation and meetings

Upgrade timeline and system availability

Login Requests:

Because of a freeze on changes to the current system before the cutover, we will not be able to create new logins or make changes to existing logins (including Print Operator designations) from August 10-21. All login requests must be received in OIS by the end of the day on August 7 (Mon.) to ensure that we have time to process them before the deadline. Login requests received after August 7 will be held until after the cutover.

HOLLIS OPAC

The anticipated schedule for the cutover is as follows:

HOLLIS/Aleph staff functions

The anticipated schedule for the cutover is as follows:

During this time, exporting records from OCLC and RLIN will also be unavailable.

As we move closer to implementation, we will send out reminder announcements to hulinfo, including any possible schedule changes.

New client installation

Local IT support staff will be installing the Aleph 18.01 client on staff desktop machines prior to the cutover. This means that you will soon have TWO Aleph clients on your workstation:

• the Aleph 17.01 client (which you will continue to use until we cut over to the new release)
• the new Aleph 18.01 client (which you will use after the new version of the system is available.)

Logging in and Working with the Aleph 18.01 client

Staff will begin using the Aleph Version 18.01 client on Monday morning, August 21. Below are the steps users should follow to:

Log into the client
Reset Z39.50 targets
Copy and paste local cataloging templates
Reset print IDs
Rest local keyboard shortcuts
Create desktop icons for Aleph 18.01

Logging Into Aleph Version 18.01:

When you first log into your Aleph client on Monday morning, you will be asked to accept new files. Please follow these steps:

1. Log into any Aleph module EXCEPT Acquisitions/Serials. You will not receive all files if you log into this module first.
2. Log in using your regular username and password.
3. You will be prompted that new files are available, click OK. A dialog box
showing all of the files will appear on your screen.
4. Click the Update All button. The files will download and your Aleph client will reboot.
5. Log in again using your regular username and password.
You will then be able to work in any module as usual.

Resetting Z39.50 Targets:

If you use Z39.50 targets, you will need to copy and paste the Version 17
searbase.dat file into Aleph Version 18. To do this, follow these steps:

1. From the Accessories menu in your Start menu, open either Notepad or WordPad
2. Open the file called SEARBASE.DAT located in C:\AL500171\ALEPHCOM\TAB\
3. Type Ctrl + A to select all text
4. Type Ctrl + C to copy the file
5. Open the file called SEARBASE.DAT located in C:\AL500181\ALEPHCOM\TAB\
6. Type Ctrl + A to select all files
7. Type Ctrl + V to paste the Version 17 information into the file
8. Save the file
You can copy your searbase.dat file over to the Aleph 18.01 client anytime before the cutover, though you will not be able to test the targets until after the cutover. Staff who are uncomfortable with or unable to access their hard drive to perform this copy procedure should contact their local IT support staff for assistance.

Local Templates:

17.01 local templates will not be available in your 18.01 client. If you have created local templates, you can copy these into the new client. There is a simple copy procedure to make this happen, described in the document How to Copy Local Templates from Version 17.01 to Version 18.01.

Again, you can copy your Aleph 17.01 local templates over to the Aleph 18.01 client anytime before the cutover, though you will not be able to test them until after the cutover. Staff who are uncomfortable with or unable to access their hard drive to perform this copy procedure should contact their local IT support staff for assistance.

Print IDs:

If you have authorization to print reports in Aleph, you will need to reset your Print IDs. See the document Initial setup for CIRC-ACQ print operators for more information.

Local Keyboard Shortcuts:

Desktop Icons:

About Aleph 18.01

The work on the Version 18.01 client has focused on bringing up this version with all functions currently available in Version 17.01, with some fixes to existing problems. After the switchover to Version 18, OIS and the Aleph Advisory Teams will be testing new functionality that is available in the version. Any implementation of new functionality will be announced in hulinfo.

Documentation and meetings

• The Overview of Aleph 18.01 document is now available. This document summarizes changes that have been introduced with this version.

• A document detailing problems encountered in testing Version 18.01 is now available: Known Problems in Version 18.01.
  
• Six open meetings on the 18.01 upgrade have been scheduled for staff interested in seeing the new version and walking through the Overview document. These meetings are optional and do not require registration. All overview sessions will be held at the Law School Library, Langdell South Classroom.

Directions to the Langdell South Classroom: Walk through Harvard Yard towards the Science Center. Walk past the Science Center to enter the Law School Campus. Enter Langdell via the stairwell closest to the Science Center. The Langdell South classroom is located in this part of the building, and will be the only room accessible. Click here for a Law School Campus map.

• August 8 (Tues.), 9:30-11:00 am
• August 9 (Wed.), 1:00-2:30 pm
• August 14 (Mon.), 9:30-11:00 am
• August 15 (Tues.), 1:00-2:30 pm
• August 22 (Tues.), 9:30-11:00 am
• August 23 (Wed.), 9:30 am-11:00 am