SubjectsPlus: Take Control of your Data Andrew Darby University of Miami Libraries October 10, 2011
What is SubjectsPlus? Helps you manage interrelated parts of your website Subject or Course Guides A-Z List of Databases FAQs Suggestion Box Staff List
Brief History Began life as Pirate Source, developed by East Carolina University Software orphaned; IC adopted it, enhanced it, released (with permission from ECU) under GPL in Version released May rewritten under the hood, proper internationalization support, enhanced functionality, etc.
Wait, Whats a Subject Guide? Curated set of reliable resources to orient a student or faculty member Print vs. online Different approaches: Comprehensive vs. targeted Course guides vs. subject guides
Anatomy of a Guide: Top Databases
Anatomy of a Guide: Contact Person
Anatomy of a Guide: Catalog Resources
Anatomy of a Guide: Databases & E-Resources
Other Features Some logically flowed from the information being captured (A-Z List, Staff List) Some were added at Ithaca College and shared (Suggestion Box, FAQs)
Other Features: A-Z List
Other Features: Frequently Asked Questions
Other Features: Suggestion Box
Other Features: Staff List
Im Sold; How Much? Free and Open Source Software, licensed under GPL Of course, there will still be some costs: staff time and running/renting the web server.
Whos Using SubjectsPlus? 35+ in North America A few more in development Others?
Alternatives
Technical Requirements LAMP/WAMP setup: Linux (preferred) box Apache Web Server MySQL >= 4 PHP >= 5.2 (preferred)
Setup: Easy as
1. Install Download files Unzip on server Edit configuration file Create MySQL database Create MySQL user/password
2. Customize
Customize cont.
2.5. What If I Have a Problem?
3. Add Data via Admin
Example: Create Guide
1. Create Metadata
2. Add Content to Blank Guide
2a. Select Type of Content
2b. Drag/Drop to Desired Column
2c. Enter Content
2d. Enter More Content Drag in more boxes (say, Subject Specialist and Key to Icons) Use buttons to insert content from elsewhere in SubjectsPlusfrom A-Z list of Databases, documents, FAQs, links to catalog records
2d. Enter More Content cont.
2e. Save
2f. View Live
Thank You! Questions? Feel free to contact me for more information,
Resources Website: Wiki: Group: Code: Videos: