[WEB4LIB] Customizing vendor-supplied interfaces

[Joyce M. Latham]

Jerry,
I'm not sure it's been around all that long ... vendors pretty much
copped out on interface design with the arrival of the web and it's quik
n' dirty search button.  It's an issue that I think we really need to
hammer on, however; if the vendors want us to do our own interface
design, they need to support the versions we develop.
The arrival of the web has distracted many library technologists from
the issues around our ILS, yet it is by far the most expensive single
system in the library.  Extensive research conducted in the 80s has been
basically ignored, but we continue to shell out big bucks while settling
for an inferior product.  
Sooner or later, we have to hold their feet to the fire.
Joyce Latham
GSLIS

Jerry Kuntz wrote:
> 
> We're implementing a new web-based PAC product from our library automation vendor that offers a great deal of flexibility for customization. A limited amount of that customization can be done via administration software the vendor has supplied. A great deal more can be done by making changes to the default XSL templates supplied with the product.
> Some sites using the same PAC product have done extensive customization of the XSL, adding many features we're interested in, too. The danger in copying these independent customizations is that they may be wiped out with the next upgrade from the vendor. For example, one site has reported it took them 40 work hours to re-customize the product when it was upgraded from 2.0 to 2.01.
> We don't know whether to invest our local resources into customization [realizing that work will need to be strictly documented and re-created, and adding to the cost of implementation] or whether to put wait and put pressure on the vendor to incorporate these features into their standard admin software.
> I'm sure this is a quandry that has been around for years--decades--but I'm just wondering if any library has developed general guidelines or policies; or are these taken case-by-case?
> 
> --
> Jerry Kuntz
> Electronic Resources Consultant
> Ramapo Catskill Library System
> jkuntz at rcls.org
> 
> --

-- 
Joyce M. Latham
GSLIS -- University of Illinois

   "Strictly speaking, there are no enlightened people; there is
only     enlightened activity."  Suzuki Roshi