Hello. We are investigating Koha for our next automation system and I have a couple of questions. First, is there a basic manual or help file out there for the novice? Maybe something that lists all of the possible terms and syntax structures, as well as tells you how to get to the report writing area? Second, we have a couple of supervisors with marginal computer expertise (I'm sure that comes off as ironic from someone who would ask the first question) who want to write their own reports. I'm nervous because in our current system (Dynix Classic), a lot of damage can be done when one is at the level for creating such reports, or has the security level to even get there. Is that something to be concerned about with Koha? Thanks for any help you can provide. --Jim Maroon
There is a wiki page with some SQL reports people have shared at http://wiki.koha-community.org/wiki/SQL_Reports_Library It is possible to set up an external SQL connection to the Koha database, and you would need to be _*very*_ careful about permissions with that setup. However, inside the Koha client itself, SQL reports are read-only. The report interface is designed so that no one can modify the database by running a report. Other tools such as batch edit can modify data, of course, but the reports are safe. Jane Wagner Senior Project Manager LibLime, a division of PTFS Content Management and Library Solutions 6400 Goldsboro Road, Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20817 (301) 654-8088 x 151 jwagner@liblime.com <jwagner@ptfs.com> *From:* koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz [mailto: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz] *On Behalf Of *Buster *Sent:* Thursday, February 10, 2011 9:02 AM *To:* Koha@lists.katipo.co.nz *Subject:* [Koha] Basics of report writing Hello. We are investigating Koha for our next automation system and I have a couple of questions. First, is there a basic manual or help file out there for the novice? Maybe something that lists all of the possible terms and syntax structures, as well as tells you how to get to the report writing area? Second, we have a couple of supervisors with marginal computer expertise (I'm sure that comes off as ironic from someone who would ask the first question) who want to write their own reports. I'm nervous because in our current system (Dynix Classic), a lot of damage can be done when one is at the level for creating such reports, or has the security level to even get there. Is that something to be concerned about with Koha? Thanks for any help you can provide. --Jim Maroon
Hi Jim, There is a manual for Koha http://koha-community.org/documentation/ Koha does offer some online help that is dependant to the screen your on. Getting to the reporting of Koha is extremely easy, although you do need an account that has permissions to run reports, otherwise the option will not appear. There is a Koha report wiki at http://wiki.koha-community.org/wiki/SQL_Reports_Library these will tell you the different terms and syntax of reports (it uses SQL). As far as damage I am pretty sure writing/running/creating/editing a report your just querying the database so I don't think its possible to damage the database. Hope that helps. James Ghiorzi Library Assistant II San Benito County Free Library 470 Fifth St. Hollister, CA 95023 (831) 636-4107 ________________________________ From: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz [koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz] On Behalf Of Buster [storypage@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 6:02 AM To: Koha@lists.katipo.co.nz Subject: [Koha] Basics of report writing Hello. We are investigating Koha for our next automation system and I have a couple of questions. First, is there a basic manual or help file out there for the novice? Maybe something that lists all of the possible terms and syntax structures, as well as tells you how to get to the report writing area? Second, we have a couple of supervisors with marginal computer expertise (I'm sure that comes off as ironic from someone who would ask the first question) who want to write their own reports. I'm nervous because in our current system (Dynix Classic), a lot of damage can be done when one is at the level for creating such reports, or has the security level to even get there. Is that something to be concerned about with Koha? Thanks for any help you can provide. --Jim Maroon
participants (3)
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Buster -
James Ghiorzi -
Wagner, Jane