Home › Software

My Library Assistant

Submitted by Karl Jones on Wed, 02/06/2008 - 6:11pm
in

MLA - My Library AssistantIntroduction

What is MLA?

MLA is a program that runs alongside Libronix and provides some new tools via some additions to the Libronix menus and a system tray icon.

What does MLA do?

MLA provides a way to create user defined Library Arrangements that include both book resources and other Libronix documents.

How does MLA work?

When MLA first starts it checks to see if Libronix is running. If it is then MLA adds some menu items to the current Libronix instance. If Libronix is not running then MLA will give the option to start Libronix with a chance to select from any existing Libronix Workspaces. Once Libronix and MLA are running together MLA will watch the Libronix menus and respond to the menu options that relate to MLA. The MLA menu options are handled by MLA and not by Libronix, this means that the first time you select one of the MLA options from the Libronix menu you may get a message informing you that the menu option has no associated script. That is ok. Just check the box to tell Libronix not to report this error in future.

You can quit MLA any time using the Exit option on the right-click menu ofthe MLA system tray icon. MLA will then remove itself from the Libronix menus and close. If you exit Libronix while MLA is still running MLA will close down automatically after a short pause.

Will MLA work on my PC?

MLA has been tested under Windows XP and Vista. It does not work on Windows98, or earlier. MLA has only been tested with single instances of Libronix and should not be used alongside any other Libronix start-up script.

What about the future?

Libronix is being developed in many really great ways. My hope is that the next version of Libronix will allow for much greater flexibility with regard to organizing resources. I hope then that MLA will become totally redundant. Until then you may find it useful.

AttachmentDateSize
[file] My Library Assistant Full Instructions
version 1.1.2.0
02/08/08 9:52 am714.43 KB
[file] MLA_1_1_2_1.zip02/18/08 4:52 am1.02 MB

Comments

Interesting, but...

Submitted by gephartr on Sun, 02/10/2008 - 12:15am.

Ok, I'll take a chance at showing my ignorance. :-)

I am pretty new to Libronix, and I just don't get it. What would I use this for, and how does it make my studies easier? I just think I need a little more explanation and then it will hit me - "duh, that is soooo cool."

Thanks!

Interesting, but...

Submitted by refbaptdude on Mon, 02/11/2008 - 11:20am.

I downloaded it, opened it and could not figure out what it does.

What does the MLA do?

Steve

MLA provides a way to create

Submitted by Karl Jones on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 6:14am.

MLA provides a way to create user defined Library Arrangements that include both book resources and other Libronix documents. Over th years there have been several times when people have expressed frustration that they cannot organise their books and resources according to their own schemes. MLA allows you to do just that.

There is full documentation available for download.

MLA Q's

Submitted by freemen11 (not verified) on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 7:11pm.

I noticed a newer version of MLA but before I install it I'm wondering if it will install over to previous version with loosing my vast library arrangement? Also, what are the changes? Finally, is there a way to modify a toolbar in order to add a MLA button next to the My Library button so that you don't have to go through the Go menu to access it? By the way great utility and thanks for your time.

MLA Q's

Submitted by freemen11 (not verified) on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 7:00pm.

I downloaded the previous version and have started to build my vast arrangement. I noticed this new version but wanted to find out if the new version will install over the old without deleting what I've done so far? Also, what are the changes? And finally, Is there any way to modify a toolbar so that there is a MLA button next to the My Library button rather than having to go through the Go menu? Great utility by the way and thanks for your time.

MLA Q's

Submitted by Karl Jones on Thu, 02/21/2008 - 12:40pm.

The latest version fixes a bug that stop the "Show Unallocated Resources" filter working when the library contains non-book resource links, (ie. to timelines etc).

When installing a new version I don't think there is any reason why you should loose your Library Arrangement, but you could go to the LibraryArrangements directory in your Libronix user directory and back it up just in case.

You can add a button to run MLA.

You need to add a button that calls the MLA application and provide one of several parameters.

The location of the MLS executable is different depending on whether you use Vista or XP.
Either way its not installed into the program files.
In Vista it goes into a subdirectory of "users\yourname\appdata" directory.
In XP, I think, it goes into a subdicrectory of "username\localsettings\apps\2.0"
But I have no control over this.

Once you have the link to MLA in a button you can use the following parameters:

/MAIN which will open the MLA Main window
/OPTIONS which will open the MLA Options window
/DEFINE which will open the MLA Define Library Arrangements window
/REFERENCE which will open the MLA Dynamic Reference
also you can use /ABOUT or /QUIT

If you don't have a parameter it will just start MLA, using the button again will then not do anything.

Hope this helps

karl

MLA Q's

Submitted by freemen11 (not verified) on Thu, 02/21/2008 - 2:39pm.

Worked great! Thanks again for the awesome app and your time.
Dale

Error Tip Email

Submitted by Any non mouse (not verified) on Tue, 02/26/2008 - 7:16pm.

When I run the program I keep getting the following error:
This command has no associated script code. Use Tools/Customize/Modify/Details to specify the script code to run.

No problem

Submitted by Karl Jones on Thu, 02/28/2008 - 12:47am.

Yes, that's right. There is no script associated with the menu items used by MLA. Just tell Libronix not to report that error in future and all should be well.

MLA

Submitted by Secret Identity (not verified) on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 12:48am.

MLA is a great idea. Thank you for developing this.
I have found a bit of a problem that I hope you can help me solve.
I change the location of "My Documents" from its default location of c:\Documents and Settings\\ to a location on my D: drive (a second partition on the drive). This keeps my documents separate from system files.
Windows "knows" of this change and all applications so far find the "My Documents" location correctly, including LDLS.

Unfortunately, MLA seems to be an exception. It has placed it's user folders in the original, default location of c:\documents and settings\\my documents\libronix dls\
One problem from this situation is that MLA doesn't "see" my collections since they are located in the redirected location with the other LDLS user files on the D: drive, while MLA is looking in the C:\... location.

Any suggestions?