The new WEBAGRIS version 2.0, is a robust information management system having integrated numerous updates, error fixes and new features. Most of the changes and improvements incorporated in this new version are as a result of problems encountered by users and suggestions made while using the WEBAGRIS version 1.

 

The main achievements in the version are outlined as follows:

1. Adaptation of WEBAGRIS for compliancy to the AGRIS AP metadata standard :

The adaptation includes:

• Link to the AGRIS AP manual in data entry system;
• Review and update of the help files associated with every field including a link to the new AGRIS AP manual;
• Change of the AGRIS records structure, such as:
  • changing the structure of some of the existing fields
    • Availability field is divided now in 3 subfields: location, number, source/database
    • On-line availability is divided now in 4 subfields: URL, language, restricted access, and format
  • defining new fields according to the AGRIS AP
    • Medium of document was added
    • Literary Indicator: some values for selection were revised/added
    • Convertion of the AGROVOC terms into AGROVOC term codes
• New export formats, including one for producing AGRIS AP xml were created;

2. AGROVOC thesaurus upgrades:

These include:

• The January 2006 version of AGROVOC Thesaurus;
• Two new tables [isisuc.tab and isisac.tab] for representing accented characters in upper case. This avoids problems incurred when indexing, display and export of French and Spanish AGROVOC terms;
• Using of THES database for translation of AGROVOC terms and representing them in coded value;

3. Search interface improvements:

These include:

• Giving new possibility to type free text query, in which the system removes stop-words in English, Spanish, French and some of other languages such as Italian and German;
• If more than one terms are entered in the search box, the system separates them with a semicolon (;), which is interpreted by the system according to the choice of the Boolean operator (AND, OR) selected within the field;
• Dynamic selection of search fields from a drop down list (combo-box) is available on the simple and advanced search screens;
• Additional filters are added to help refine the search by the selection of full text documents (based on the on-line availability), type of document (such as monographs a, Journal articles) and/or AGRIS records for export to the AGRIS central database;
• Revision of the "edit query" button from thesaurus search. This loads a new advanced search form that fills the descriptors search box with selected values from the AGROVOC thesaurus;
• Improved cross-database search, by incorporating more than one databases and their dictionaries during the search and browse;
• New presentation of the history search. This has now two buttons as follows:
  • "History" button to be used when referring to a query from the history and;
  • "ISIS command mode", an expert CDS/ISIS search mode. For more details see WWW/ISIS Technical Reference Manual
• A new feature (Document locator) that executes a Google search based on the metadata of a record. However, this is only available on request and is not distributed with the main installation package. Interested users may request for additional documentation and instructions for installation.

4. Data entry improvements.

These Include:

• Dynamic selection of search fields from a drop down list (combo-box) in the search part of the data entry interface;
• New validation features, that check the record on submission in order to produce a valid XML records (especially for mandatory fields);
• Translation of AGROVOC terms into "AGROVOC term codes" on submission of a record;
• Download/print range of MFN from the data entry system.

5. Improvements of Export/download features

These include:

• Export/print of all or selected records to the display results page;
• Many predefined formats, including those producing XML, HTML export
• FST (Field Select Table) controlled download in ISO-2709 and text format files (FST predefined);
• Interface for selecting fields to be downloaded (in ISO2709 and text format files) and building FST dynamically.

6. New and updated documentation

There are two main documentations as follows:

• WEBAGRIS Version 2.0 user guide, which provides the users with guidelines on the installation and the first steps on using the system as well as trouble shooting FAQ. (webagris2.pdf file), which will be referred to as "User guide". This document is devoted to the AGRIS network participating centers which have been using the older version of WEBAGRIS or intend to use it to publish their data either at national level or/and send to the AGRIS central database
• WWW/ISIS Technical reference manual that provides details on the WWW/ISIS system for more experienced users that need to update the system or develop a new application (WWWISIStechdoc.pdf file), which will be referred to as "Technical manual".

7. New much easier installation procedure

It provides a possibility to choose a Web Server. Guidelines on the installation of some Web Servers are provided in Annex 1 and Annex 2.

Netscape browser is no longer mandatory.