Help with searching from a Google Android phone
Hello, I'm grappling with something exciting at the moment but would like some help from the Koha community. I have a brand new Google Android phone, which has on it an app called Barcode Scanner. It works by using the phone's camera as a barcode reader to scan an item's ISBN then search something like Amazon or Google Books to find a match (which you can obviously use to purchase the item). Think of seeing a good book your friend has, scanning the barcode and ordering a copy for yourself. Where Koha comes in is that it offers one the ability to enter a 'custom search' URL. So I started to think: what if I set this to be my library's OPAC and did an ISBN search of Koha? That would give me the ability to search my Koha using a smartphone barcode scanner. The problem is, I can't get any results returned. I've set the 'custom search' URL to be http://<library server>/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?q=%s (where %s is the ISBN returned by the barcode scanner.) The problem is that I can't get any results returned. The ISBN I'm using to test it is 9780143018674 but the page I end up on is 'No result found! No results match your search for 9780143018674.' Is there a special URL I should use to complete an ISBN search? Can anyone help me? Mark Osborne
On 2009/09/7, at 12:28 PM, Mark Osborne wrote:
Hello, I'm grappling with something exciting at the moment but would like some help from the Koha community. I have a brand new Google Android phone, which has on it an app called Barcode Scanner. It works by using the phone's camera as a barcode reader to scan an item's ISBN then search something like Amazon or Google Books to find a match (which you can obviously use to purchase the item). Think of seeing a good book your friend has, scanning the barcode and ordering a copy for yourself.
Where Koha comes in is that it offers one the ability to enter a 'custom search' URL. So I started to think: what if I set this to be my library's OPAC and did an ISBN search of Koha? That would give me the ability to search my Koha using a smartphone barcode scanner. The problem is, I can't get any results returned. I've set the 'custom search' URL to be http://<library server>/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?q=%s (where %s is the ISBN returned by the barcode scanner.)
The problem is that I can't get any results returned. The ISBN I'm using to test it is 9780143018674 but the page I end up on is 'No result found! No results match your search for 9780143018674.' Is there a special URL I should use to complete an ISBN search? Can anyone help me? Mark Osborne _______________________________________________ Koha mailing list Koha@lists.katipo.co.nz http://lists.katipo.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/koha
hi Mark 'idx=nb' is what you want in the search-query try this.... http://<library server>/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl? idx=nb&q=9780552556002
2009/9/7 Mark Osborne <mosborne@ashs.school.nz>:
Hello, I'm grappling with something exciting at the moment but would like some help from the Koha community. I have a brand new Google Android phone, which has on it an app called Barcode Scanner. It works by using the phone's camera as a barcode reader to scan an item's ISBN then search something like Amazon or Google Books to find a match (which you can obviously use to purchase the item). Think of seeing a good book your friend has, scanning the barcode and ordering a copy for yourself.
Where Koha comes in is that it offers one the ability to enter a 'custom search' URL. So I started to think: what if I set this to be my library's OPAC and did an ISBN search of Koha? That would give me the ability to search my Koha using a smartphone barcode scanner. The problem is, I can't get any results returned. I've set the 'custom search' URL to be http://<library server>/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?q=%s (where %s is the ISBN returned by the barcode scanner.)
The problem is that I can't get any results returned. The ISBN I'm using to test it is 9780143018674 but the page I end up on is 'No result found! No results match your search for 9780143018674.' Is there a special URL I should use to complete an ISBN search? Can anyone help me?
Hi Mark Try http://opac.koha.workbuffer.org/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?idx=nb&q=0060513713&sort_by=relevance&do=Search Chris
Hi, Have tried both of these suggestions but get something like 'No results match your search for 'nb,wrdl:9780143018674" in Catalog.' Mark 2009/9/7 Chris Cormack <chris@bigballofwax.co.nz>
Hello, I'm grappling with something exciting at the moment but would like some help from the Koha community. I have a brand new Google Android phone, which has on it an app called Barcode Scanner. It works by using the phone's camera as a barcode reader to scan an item's ISBN then search something like Amazon or Google Books to find a match (which you can obviously use to purchase the item). Think of seeing a good book your friend has, scanning the barcode and ordering a copy for yourself.
Where Koha comes in is that it offers one the ability to enter a 'custom search' URL. So I started to think: what if I set this to be my library's OPAC and did an ISBN search of Koha? That would give me the ability to search my Koha using a smartphone barcode scanner. The problem is, I can't get any results returned. I've set the 'custom search' URL to be http://<library server>/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?q=%s (where %s is
2009/9/7 Mark Osborne <mosborne@ashs.school.nz>: the
ISBN returned by the barcode scanner.)
The problem is that I can't get any results returned. The ISBN I'm using to test it is 9780143018674 but the page I end up on is 'No result found! No results match your search for 9780143018674.' Is there a special URL I should use to complete an ISBN search? Can anyone help me?
Hi Mark
Try
Chris
-- Hei konā mai, Mark Osborne Deputy Principal, Albany Senior High School.
*Embarrassed cough* Yes, it does work with a different ISBN. Well spotted Chris. We now have Google Android smartphone barcode searching of our Koha catalogue! Thanks for your help. Mark 2009/9/7 Chris Cormack <chris@bigballofwax.co.nz>
2009/9/7 Mark Osborne <mosborne@ashs.school.nz>:
Hi, Have tried both of these suggestions but get something like 'No results match your search for 'nb,wrdl:9780143018674" in Catalog.' Mark
Ahh, and that ISBN definitely exists in your Koha?
Chris
-- Hei konā mai, Mark Osborne Deputy Principal, Albany Senior High School.
Hi Mark, This is very exciting news!!!! Well done!!!! It could has major implications for Koha's standing and adoption with the libraries that have many patrons with Google Android phones! How technically complex was the setting up on your phone? Would the non techie phone owner find it possible to configure? I can't try it as I don't have such a phone .... Irma CALYX information essentials _____ From: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz [mailto:koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz] On Behalf Of Mark Osborne Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 11:33 AM To: Chris Cormack Cc: koha@lists.katipo.co.nz Subject: Re: [Koha] Help with searching from a Google Android phone *Embarrassed cough* Yes, it does work with a different ISBN. Well spotted Chris. We now have Google Android smartphone barcode searching of our Koha catalogue! Thanks for your help. Mark 2009/9/7 Chris Cormack <chris@bigballofwax.co.nz> 2009/9/7 Mark Osborne <mosborne@ashs.school.nz>:
Hi, Have tried both of these suggestions but get something like 'No results match your search for 'nb,wrdl:9780143018674" in Catalog.' Mark
Ahh, and that ISBN definitely exists in your Koha? Chris -- Hei konā mai, Mark Osborne Deputy Principal, Albany Senior High School.
Very VERY low-tech solution. Search Koha with a Google Android phone: 1) Install Barcode Reader app from the Android store ($0) 2) Open the app and go Menu > Settings. 3) In 'Custom product search URL' and enter http://<your server>/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?idx=nb&q=%s 4) OK and exit. Scan an item with an ISBN barcode. Enjoy. MArk 2009/9/7 Irma Birchall <irma@bigpond.net.au>
Hi Mark,
This is very exciting news!!!! Well done!!!!
It could has major implications for Koha's standing and adoption with the libraries that have many patrons with Google Android phones!
How technically complex was the setting up on your phone? Would the non techie phone owner find it possible to configure? I can't try it as I don't have such a phone ....
Irma CALYX information essentials
------------------------------ *From:* koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz [mailto: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz] *On Behalf Of *Mark Osborne *Sent:* Monday, 7 September 2009 11:33 AM *To:* Chris Cormack *Cc:* koha@lists.katipo.co.nz *Subject:* Re: [Koha] Help with searching from a Google Android phone
*Embarrassed cough* Yes, it does work with a different ISBN. Well spotted Chris. We now have Google Android smartphone barcode searching of our Koha catalogue! Thanks for your help. Mark
2009/9/7 Chris Cormack <chris@bigballofwax.co.nz>
2009/9/7 Mark Osborne <mosborne@ashs.school.nz>:
Hi, Have tried both of these suggestions but get something like 'No results match your search for 'nb,wrdl:9780143018674" in Catalog.' Mark
Ahh, and that ISBN definitely exists in your Koha?
Chris
-- Hei konā mai,
Mark Osborne Deputy Principal, Albany Senior High School.
-- Hei konā mai, Mark Osborne Deputy Principal, Albany Senior High School.
Mark, Really cool! A very nice way to check on the availability or status of a library item (already in the catalogue) as well, as one can pre-save an item's ISBN in the phone. If the item is available (currently on loan or not), the next thing then is to place a hold on this item (via the phone's web access) for collection at a later time. If the query to the catalogue yields no result, could that ISBN then be forwarded to the library as a suggestion for acquisition? Or am I opening a can of worms ... Thank you for sharing your news and the "How to". Irma CALYX information essentials _____ From: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz [mailto:koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz] On Behalf Of Mark Osborne Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 12:13 PM To: Irma Birchall Cc: koha@lists.katipo.co.nz Subject: Re: [Koha] Help with searching from a Google Android phone Very VERY low-tech solution. Search Koha with a Google Android phone: 1) Install Barcode Reader app from the Android store ($0) 2) Open the app and go Menu > Settings. 3) In 'Custom product search URL' and enter http://<your server>/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?idx=nb&q=%s 4) OK and exit. Scan an item with an ISBN barcode. Enjoy. MArk 2009/9/7 Irma Birchall <irma@bigpond.net.au> Hi Mark, This is very exciting news!!!! Well done!!!! It could has major implications for Koha's standing and adoption with the libraries that have many patrons with Google Android phones! How technically complex was the setting up on your phone? Would the non techie phone owner find it possible to configure? I can't try it as I don't have such a phone .... Irma CALYX information essentials _____ From: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz [mailto:koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz] On Behalf Of Mark Osborne Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 11:33 AM To: Chris Cormack Cc: koha@lists.katipo.co.nz Subject: Re: [Koha] Help with searching from a Google Android phone *Embarrassed cough* Yes, it does work with a different ISBN. Well spotted Chris. We now have Google Android smartphone barcode searching of our Koha catalogue! Thanks for your help. Mark 2009/9/7 Chris Cormack <chris@bigballofwax.co.nz> 2009/9/7 Mark Osborne <mosborne@ashs.school.nz>:
Hi, Have tried both of these suggestions but get something like 'No results match your search for 'nb,wrdl:9780143018674" in Catalog.' Mark
Ahh, and that ISBN definitely exists in your Koha? Chris -- Hei konā mai, Mark Osborne Deputy Principal, Albany Senior High School. -- Hei konā mai, Mark Osborne Deputy Principal, Albany Senior High School.
This tutorial has been added to the wiki :) http://wiki.koha.org/doku.php?id=en:documentation:tutorials:kohagoogleandroi... I'll add it to the manual too later. Nicole 2009/9/6 Irma Birchall <irma@calyx.net.au>:
Mark,
Really cool!
A very nice way to check on the availability or status of a library item (already in the catalogue) as well, as one can pre-save an item's ISBN in the phone. If the item is available (currently on loan or not), the next thing then is to place a hold on this item (via the phone's web access) for collection at a later time.
If the query to the catalogue yields no result, could that ISBN then be forwarded to the library as a suggestion for acquisition? Or am I opening a can of worms ...
Thank you for sharing your news and the "How to".
Irma CALYX information essentials ________________________________ From: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz [mailto:koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz] On Behalf Of Mark Osborne Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 12:13 PM To: Irma Birchall Cc: koha@lists.katipo.co.nz Subject: Re: [Koha] Help with searching from a Google Android phone
Very VERY low-tech solution.
Search Koha with a Google Android phone: 1) Install Barcode Reader app from the Android store ($0) 2) Open the app and go Menu > Settings. 3) In 'Custom product search URL' and enter http://<your server>/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?idx=nb&q=%s 4) OK and exit. Scan an item with an ISBN barcode. Enjoy.
MArk
2009/9/7 Irma Birchall <irma@bigpond.net.au>
Hi Mark,
This is very exciting news!!!! Well done!!!!
It could has major implications for Koha's standing and adoption with the libraries that have many patrons with Google Android phones!
How technically complex was the setting up on your phone? Would the non techie phone owner find it possible to configure? I can't try it as I don't have such a phone ....
Irma CALYX information essentials
________________________________ From: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz [mailto:koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz] On Behalf Of Mark Osborne Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 11:33 AM To: Chris Cormack Cc: koha@lists.katipo.co.nz Subject: Re: [Koha] Help with searching from a Google Android phone
*Embarrassed cough* Yes, it does work with a different ISBN. Well spotted Chris. We now have Google Android smartphone barcode searching of our Koha catalogue! Thanks for your help. Mark
2009/9/7 Chris Cormack <chris@bigballofwax.co.nz>
2009/9/7 Mark Osborne <mosborne@ashs.school.nz>:
Hi, Have tried both of these suggestions but get something like 'No results match your search for 'nb,wrdl:9780143018674" in Catalog.' Mark
Ahh, and that ISBN definitely exists in your Koha?
Chris
-- Hei konā mai,
Mark Osborne Deputy Principal, Albany Senior High School.
-- Hei konā mai,
Mark Osborne Deputy Principal, Albany Senior High School.
_______________________________________________ Koha mailing list Koha@lists.katipo.co.nz http://lists.katipo.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/koha
Other barcode scanning applications for android already integrate with backends that display retail availability in your area, and on the internet, with pricing.... and some even tie in with OCLC data to tell you what nearby libraries have the same book. With maps! So I'm not sure how well the simple scan-to-OPAC functionality can compete with the likes of those. Notably, all these exist because Google open sourced the basic code for interpolating a barcode off the camera... an otherwise tricky hardware-dependent feat. --Joe (long-time G1 user) On Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 7:46 PM, Nicole Engard <nengard@gmail.com> wrote:
This tutorial has been added to the wiki :)
http://wiki.koha.org/doku.php?id=en:documentation:tutorials:kohagoogleandroi...
I'll add it to the manual too later.
Nicole
Mark,
Really cool!
A very nice way to check on the availability or status of a library item (already in the catalogue) as well, as one can pre-save an item's ISBN in the phone. If the item is available (currently on loan or not), the next thing then is to place a hold on this item (via the phone's web access) for collection at a later time.
If the query to the catalogue yields no result, could that ISBN then be forwarded to the library as a suggestion for acquisition? Or am I opening a can of worms ...
Thank you for sharing your news and the "How to".
Irma CALYX information essentials ________________________________ From: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz [mailto:koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz] On Behalf Of Mark Osborne Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 12:13 PM To: Irma Birchall Cc: koha@lists.katipo.co.nz Subject: Re: [Koha] Help with searching from a Google Android phone
Very VERY low-tech solution.
Search Koha with a Google Android phone: 1) Install Barcode Reader app from the Android store ($0) 2) Open the app and go Menu > Settings. 3) In 'Custom product search URL' and enter http://<your server>/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?idx=nb&q=%s 4) OK and exit. Scan an item with an ISBN barcode. Enjoy.
MArk
2009/9/7 Irma Birchall <irma@bigpond.net.au>
Hi Mark,
This is very exciting news!!!! Well done!!!!
It could has major implications for Koha's standing and adoption with
2009/9/6 Irma Birchall <irma@calyx.net.au>: the
libraries that have many patrons with Google Android phones!
How technically complex was the setting up on your phone? Would the non techie phone owner find it possible to configure? I can't try it as I don't have such a phone ....
Irma CALYX information essentials
________________________________ From: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz [mailto:koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz] On Behalf Of Mark Osborne Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 11:33 AM To: Chris Cormack Cc: koha@lists.katipo.co.nz Subject: Re: [Koha] Help with searching from a Google Android phone
*Embarrassed cough* Yes, it does work with a different ISBN. Well spotted Chris. We now have Google Android smartphone barcode searching of our Koha catalogue! Thanks for your help. Mark
2009/9/7 Chris Cormack <chris@bigballofwax.co.nz>
2009/9/7 Mark Osborne <mosborne@ashs.school.nz>:
Hi, Have tried both of these suggestions but get something like 'No
results
match your search for 'nb,wrdl:9780143018674" in Catalog.' Mark
Ahh, and that ISBN definitely exists in your Koha?
Chris
participants (7)
-
Chris Cormack -
Irma Birchall -
Irma Birchall -
Joe Atzberger -
Mark Osborne -
Mason James -
Nicole Engard