🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <199312092209.OAA12726@well.sf.ca.us>, Avi Rappoport
<nilesinc@WELL.SF.CA.US> wrote:
> 
> I don't have a good answer for [merging libraries]. We hope to improve matters in the next year or so.  I wish it were sooner.
> 
I've experimented with 3 methods:

1. Asking users to "date stamp" their records in a field such as Label or
Notes. This is very UNreliable, because it means everyone has to remember
to enter accurate dates, in consistent styles. (It would be great if every
record automatically had two stamps, Date Created and Last Modified, like
files.) 

   Unfortunately as well, the present Find dialog in EN+ does not allow
Greater Than or Less Than searches (nor will it find blank fields, a very
painful limitation).If it did, one could search for all records dated
Before, After, or Between certain dates or ranges of dates. 

2. Using DocuComp II, which compares TEXT files, highlights their
differences, and creates a third merged file. Main limitation: DocuComp can
only read TEXT files and a few WP formats, such as MS Word and Word
Perfect. To use it with EndNote, you must export records (as Pro-Cite or
Refer), compare and merge them, and then import. It's a bit tricky and
risky, especially for libraries having over 10k records! DocuComp is sold
by Advanced Software, Inc. (408) 733-0745 or your favorite mail order
source.

3. The quick and dirty method, which is to merge the libraries, Find
Duplicates, examine each pair, and Delete the incomplete record. This is
also tedious and will not catch near duplicates that have year or title
typos.

My hope is that the next version of EndNote will have better search and
synchronize features, which are now quite standard in major database
programs, such as FileMaker Pro or TouchBase.

- 
Wm. Howarth
Dept. of English
Princeton University