* Census screen apparently missing repository field

[Gary_G]

In trying to see how best to utilize my user-created source templates with AS v 7.7.4, I stumble on what appears to be a bug.

In the following image, the screen "Templated Source" shows there should be an automatically filled "Repository" field (indicated by an "A" in a yellow circle). However; the main data entry screen for the census appears to have no place to select a repository. Consequently; the source template cannot receive the data needed to create a valid source citation.

1926 French census - Saint-Gervais.png (122.38 KiB) Viewed 893 times

[NickWalker]

Click the little button to the right of the repository field. Does that work? That's how it is meant to work.

[NickWalker]

Just to expand on this...

In the new version that you're testing, I've built in support for using Source Templates with Method 2 (lumper) sources. This adds all sorts of complications because in most cases when selecting an existing source the user will only be entering source template fields which get saved into the citation (the other non-citation fields are disabled in AS in this circumstance) although if an entirely new method 2 lumper source is being created in AS then all the fields will be available. As the source template isn't actually chosen until the Source Template screen is opened then there is no guarantee that a repository field is included in the template and so it makes sense to remove the Repository link from the main screen and just include this in the source template screen.

While I was looking at this I realised the same logic applies to Method 1 source templates too. A user could enter the repository details on the main screen then go in to the Source Template screen and select a template that doesn't have a repository field. So they would have wasted their time selecting/entering the repository and might get confused later when they find the repository isn't linked to the source. Logically you are going to be opening the Source Template screen and entering data in there so it makes sense to choose the repository in there too.

Having said that I have had a couple of people comment on this and for those who have been used to using Method 1 templated sources and having the repository link on the main screen, I think it is likely to lead to a lot of people asking where the link has gone and I'll have to keep repeating this explanation. So I may put the link back for Method 1 users to avoid this confusion, even though it is logical for the link to not be there.

As an aside, I don't even know if anyone is likely to use the Method 2 templated sources support and I have no idea whether anyone is actually testing this so I may end up releasing this version 'officially' with various issues that haven't been discovered yet.

[Gary_G]

Thanks for the explanation, Nick.
Yes; I was confused because the repository selection was missing from the main screen on which it had previously been present.
I suppose that at some point, someone will have to run through a typical workflow in the new version.

I am now using strictly Splitter sources, as FH7 has some features that are not available to Lumpers.
So; I store some invariant data in the repository to save having to enter it for each record.
That is why I noticed the change from the previous version when I went to select the repository.