FAQ Potential Topics

Please see Summary of Listserv Discussions (Sep-Dec 2015)


StatusTopicQuestionAnswer or LinkRelevant sub group
Ready?GeneralWhere can I find and/or submit user-created scripts/plugins?Link to Plugins and Scripts?Committers
Ready?GeneralWhere can I find a list of institutions who are live with ArchivesSpace?Christine's answer: "Institutions with links on the Members list webpage (http://archivesspace.org/members) have live implementations or implementation blogs that they have indicated they're ready to share with the wider public. You'll likely hear from others on this listserv that are far along in their implementations, but haven't yet shared a link, or are live with the ArchivesSpace staff interface, but do not use the public interface. (A number of institutions, particularly those who used Archvists' Toolkit, have separate finding aid delivery systems/mechanisms and export or plan to export finding aids produced in ArchivesSpace to these other systems.)"
Need assistanceGeneralHow can ArchivesSpace be integrated with other applications?Integration
Out of ScopeGeneralWhere does ArchivesSpace fit into the archival workflow?
  • Gear answer towards non-archivists, possibly compare with other archival applications
  • Ann's comment: Maybe link to some projects that integrate ASpace with other archival systems as examples, maybe a short explanation of archival CMSs. (Need to check, but is there already a good explanation in user documentation or on the website?)
  • Example question

Out of Scope (?)GeneralCan I edit the ArchivesSpace wiki?Christine's message on requesting JIRA accounts: "Since it's come up a few times recently, I just wanted to mention that any staff member of an ArchivesSpace member institution is welcome to request a JIRA/wiki accounts by emailing me directly. Our JIRA and wiki instances are public, but the account will allow you to watch and comment on issues and make updates to some wiki pages. We do ask that certain activities, like voting on issues when we call for votes, happen through the institutional representative to maintain equity across our member institutions. If you have any questions, or any difficulties accessing an existing account, please just let me know." christine.dibella at lyrasis.org
Ready / TechDocsSystemWhat ports do different ArchivesSpace components run on?

Inspired by this question

See the Technical Documentation:

http://archivesspace.github.io/archivesspace/user/getting-started/#Start-ArchivesSpace

  • 8089 – the backend
  • 8080 – the staff interface
  • 8081 – the public interface
  • 8090 – the Solr admin console

Ready / TechDocsSystemHow do I backup ArchivesSpace?

GitHub docs

See the Technical Documentation:

http://archivesspace.github.io/archivesspace/user/backup-and-recovery/



Out of Scope (?)

Not answerable?

(Or address it by saying that it varies widely by institution, and maybe give a few examples)


SystemHow big does a production MySQL database tend to be?

List question

Some ballparks from the listserv, but this is going to vary considerably based on the institution.


Ready / Candidate for labs/community repo?SystemWhat authentication methods can be used with ArchivesSpace?Commiters, Candidate for Labs/Community Repo
Ready (or needs vetting?)SystemHow do I install ArchivesSpace on a Windows/MySQL server?

Good step by step instructions provided by user

The technical documentation (http://archivesspace.github.io/archivesspace/user/running-archivesspace-as-a-windows-service/) plus the provided instructions are good resources.  The listserv instructions go into a great deal of detail about installing prereqs (Java, MySQL) that are not in the tech docs and could be considered out of scope.


Out of Scope (User)FunctionalityWhat defines a repository?Inspired by this discussion (subjects and agents are shared across repositories, as well as user defined labels possibly) "As I understand it, Accessions, Resources and Digital Objects are repository-specific, while Subjects and Agents (and maybe the other modules like Locations, Events, Collection Management and Classifications) exist across repositories." (Ben Goldman's answer on the listserv.)
Out of Scope (User)FunctionalityWhat is the difference between an archival object and an instance?Based on discussion here of a user suggestion to change redundant requirements for designating container types that causes users to have to enter the same information in multiple areas. In archival object and archival instance, in this case.
Out of Scope (User)FunctionalityWhat is the role of the digital object module in an institution's archival workflow?

Good listserv answer - I think we should ask Maureen Callahan for her permission to use her outline of how they do it at Yale in the FAQ.

Also a blog post about Duke's process


Out of Scope (User)FunctionalityWhat is the role of digital object components?Brad's answer: "Digital object components are for modeling and structuring complex digital objects, that is, digital objects in which rendering of the intellectual content requires two or more digital files."

APIHow do I use cURL to interact with the API?

The API section of the github docs has lots of good examples using curl



APIHow do I use the API to manipulate data for public display?


APIHow do I run an advanced search using the API?

Answer

Also see the API documentation for /search


Out of scope (Too specific?)APIHow can I batch associate digital objects with archival objects?Examples in thread
Out of scope (User?)CustomizationHow do I set default values for accession and resource records?Good writeup by Brad
Out of scope (User?)CustomizationHow do I set permissions per repository/group?Discussion here

Need assistance, is there any official documentation for setting up subdomains?


(If not, I can write up some instructions for doing this in Apache --Rachel)

CustomizationHow do I customize the ArchivesSpace public and staff interface URLs?

Default Setup

By default, ArchivesSpace is set up to access the public application on port 8081 and the staff application on port 8080. E.g.,

  • http://aspace.myarchive.org:8081
  • http://aspace.myarchive.org:8080


Subdomains

You can opt to run each application on separate subdomains. E.g.,

  • http://archivesspacepublic.myarchive.org
  • http://archivesspacestaff.myarchive.org



Under a Prefix

This document describes a simple approach for those wishing to deviate from the recommended practice of running each user-facing ArchivesSpace application on its own subdomain, and instead serve each application under a prefix. E.g.,

  • http://aspace.myarchive.org/staff
  • http://aspace.myarchive.org/public



Out of Scope

User Documentation?

CustomizationHow do I set a default repository?Asked here, no answer (I feel like I used to see this question a lot)

Out of Scope

User Documentation

CustomizationCan I restrict the visibility of agent contact information based on staff permission level? (user oriented?)Asked here, no answer
ReadyCustomizationHow do I set up Google Analytics to work with ArchivesSpace?
  1. Enroll in Google Analytics, register your site (you don't need to include the port number in the URL)and get your tracking code (it will be a block of javascript).
  2. Ensure that the local plugin is enabled in your config/config.rb (it is by default).
  3. Add your tracking code to a file called plugins/local/public/views/layout_head.html.erb.
  4. Restart ArchivesSpace.

ReadyCustomizationCan I run ArchivesSpace using the default database?

No, the embedded database is only suitable for demonstration purposes. When you are ready to starting using ArchivesSpace with real users and data, you should switch to using MySQL. MySQL offers significantly better performance when multiple people are using the system, and will ensure that your data is kept safe.

For more information, see Running ArchivesSpace against MySQL.



CustomizationHow do I change the look and feel of ArchivesSpace (e.g., adding my institution's logo)?Some examples in the github doc's Customizing and Theming section, including how to change the logo
Seems more user, than techCustomizationHow do I add user defined fields?The user docs has a page on User Defined fields
Out of scope (not needed)Customizationconfig.rb overviewThere are comments in the file itself, which is included in the github tech docs

CustomizationHow can I change tooltips?Brief answer
Candidate for labs/community repo?Importing/exportingHow do I customize exports?

Blog post provided by Chris

The blog post references a GitHub repo that's example of to customize the EAD exporter.  Would be nice if the how to add as a plugin info from the blog post was in the repo's readme.

Candidate for labs/community repo?
Out of ScopeImporting/exportingHow do I import Word EAD files?

Tool developed by UVA (not public though)

The application mentioned in the post is at https://github.com/uvalib/transmog

Not sure how AS-specific it is, but certainly is a fellow traveler.

Integrations? Labs/community? (Pretty instituion-specific)
User DocumentationImporting/exportingHow do I import CSV accession records?

Asked on listserv, no answer.

Covered by user documentation: https://docs.archivesspace.org/Default.htm#ImportCSV.htm


Candidate for labs/community repo?Importing/exportingHow do I batch create digital objects?

Script provided by user

The user documentation covers importing Digital Objects via CSV and using RDE templates.  The script referenced on the listserv provides an example of using the API to batch create digital objects and linking them as an instance of an existing archival object.

Candidate for labs/community repo?

Out of Scope

User Documentation

Importing/exportingHow do I convert MARC records to EAD for importing into ArchivesSpace?

Stylesheet provided by user

AS (and the user documentation) already covers importing MARCXML, so I wonder if this is worth including?

Possible candidate for labs/comnunity repo if relevant

Importing/exportingCan I customize the PDF output?

Asked on listserv, no answer

Some pointers on a newer thread.  Answer would basically be a pointer to the stylesheet used to generate the PDF.

Candidate for labs/community repo by creating an example modification?
Out of ScopeImporting/exportingHow do I map EAD to MODS?

Stylesheet provided on listserv

Original question was about mapping EAD to MODs for ingesting AS data into Islandora.

Integrations?
Out of ScopeImporting/exportingWhy do container IDs change on every export?

Listserv discussion

Couldn't find follow-ups to this, which suggests that this isn't a problem or a question asked frequently.  Also wondering if 1.5 makes this less of an issue.


Out of ScopeImporting/exportingHow do I set EAD elements to always be published (unless they have an internal audience) when importing EAD files?

Listserv answer

The listserv response, plus the same resources on the customizing export question contain examples (the Yale code says "exporter" there's a converter example there too: https://github.com/archivesspace/yale-ead-exporter/blob/master/backend/model/yale_ead_converter.rb)


Candidate for labs/community repo?
Out of ScopeImporting/exportingCan I include the public interface URL for a record in its exported EAD?

Asked on listserv, no answer

Potentially the same set of examples of ead converter plugins could provide a starting point, depending on whether or not the public UI URL is derivable from the resource data.

Public interface group?

Importing/exportingWhy am I getting an "invalid byte sequence" error when importing a CSV file?

May be caused by importing a CSV that was created through MS Excel, use Google Sheets instead (listserv discussion)

Seems more like a general why does Excel generate crappy CSV question.  Not esp unique to AS.


Out of ScopeImporting/exportingHow can I make the EAD XML output prettier?

Suggestions in listserv thread

Seems more like a general how to format XML question.  Not esp unique to AS.



MigrationWhy do I have duplicate records after migrating?Need to rebuild index
User DocumentationReportsHow do I enable Jasper reports?

Listserv answer

Specific instructions for enabling Jasper reports are in the User Docs: https://docs.archivesspace.org/Default.htm#ReportsEnabling.htm.  Those a note about needing to enable fonts, which is important and not in the listserv answer.  If there's not a problem doing so, these could be added to the tech docs at http://archivesspace.github.io/archivesspace/user/configuring-archivesspace/ by just adding a comment or two to the right spot in the config file.


User DocumentationReportsHow can I edit the SQL for a Jasper report?

Listserv answer

The User Docs contain detailed instructions with points to external Jasper docs.  We should see if this information needs to remain in the closed User Docs or if some of it could be repurposed for technical FAQs:

http://docs.archivesspace.org/Default.htm#ReportsCustomizing.htm

http://docs.archivesspace.org/Default.htm#ReportsAdding.htm

Otherwise, maybe something as simple as:

Jasper reports can be modified by modifying the files in /reports that correspond to a given report.  For more on Jasper reports, see http://community.jaspersoft.com/documentation/tibco-jaspersoft-studio-user-guide/v60/concepts-jasperreports.



Either the developers or the whole TAC?UpgradingGeneral question about where to find/discuss functionality changes after upgrade?

Based on long discussion here

It seems that the release notes might need to be more substantial about functionality / general changes.



UpgradingCan I skip versions when upgrading?Yes, based on the FAQ section here: https://github.com/archivesspace/archivesspace/blob/master/UPGRADING_1.5.0.md it appears that existing ASpace instances can be upgraded and skip versions. However, new ASpace users who want to use the migration tool need to go to an earlier version first and then upgrade.
ReadyIndexingWhen should I reset the index?
  • When records are not showing up in search results after making changes (list question)
  • Duplicate records after migrating (list question)
  • Formerly deleted items or non-existent repositories are still displaying (list question)

ReadyIndexingHow do I reset the index?

Delete the following directories and restart ArchivesSpace:

  • /path/to/archivesspace/data/solr_index
  • /path/to/archivesspace/data/indexer_state

data/solr_index is the actual index, so if you delete that nothing will be searchable until the index is rebuilt.

data/indexer_state is how the indexer keeps track of what it has and hasn’t indexed. Deleting that will effectively make the indexer believe nothing is indexed and force it to be rebuilt.


ReadyIndexingWhy is the Solr indexer constantly rebuilding the index/running in a loop?Chris's answer (when a record has a circular parent/child relationship)
Need assistanceBugsCurrent top bugs?
Bug Wranglers
Paraphrased from 2015 listserv, check answer for accuracyBugsHow do I report a bug?

You can submit possible bugs by using the "Send Feedback" button at the bottom of your ArchivesSpace instance (or the one at sandbox.archivesspace.org). When you submit a ticket, please indicate:

  • Windows or Linux?
  • Regular deployment or Tomcat?
  • What version of ArchivesSpace?
  • What version of Java?
  • What are the events that happened right before you ran into the error?

Include screenshots or logs whenever possible.

Bug Wranglers


Out of Scope

Are we sure we want to include? It's the only error message we had and it doesn't seem to have been heavily discussed.

Error MessagesWhat does the "translation missing: en.enumerations" error mean?Listserv question