Smart Group

A place for users to ask each other questions, make suggestions, and discuss Bookends.
swe
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Smart Group

Post by swe »

Is it possible to create a smart group that shows the 15 latest additions? (Is additions date saved?)
Jon
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Post by Jon »

Good question. The addition date is not saved. You can add it yourself (either automatically with an import filter, or by "insert date" when you manually enter a reference), but these dates don't lend themselve to searches.

It's possible there may a smart sql search that would work. Let me think about that...

Jon
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nicka
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Post by nicka »

I think it isn't easy, because Bookends doesn't keep track of when a reference is created, sadly. You can manually add the date to each entry as you create it, of course, but that's very inconvenient.

See this thread: http://www.sonnysoftware.com/phpBB2/vie ... date+added

There was another thread which discussed this before, as well, but I can't find it now.

One good way to see the latest additions is to make sure reference number is one of the columns in list view (you set this in Preferences>Lists, under 'Fields to display:'). Then, looking at your database in list view, clicking on the 'Ref #' column heading sorts the references in order of creation. Click again to get reverse order and the latest references will be at the top of the list.
Jon
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Post by Jon »

Bookends doesn't keep the entry date, but it *does* keep the entry order (that's the sequential reference #), which is really what is needed here. Your (nicka's) solution isn't bad. But I'll see if I can come up with a smart sql group as well.

Jon
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Jon
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Post by Jon »

Please create a new Smart Group (SQL). Name it something like "Most recent 15 refs".

In the search field, enter this (copy and paste to make sure there are no errors):

id > (select count(*) - 15 from thereferences)

Whenever you click on it, Bookends will return the last 15 references in the database.

This can be modified to return other reference sets, of course, if you prefer.

Jon
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thecritic
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Post by thecritic »

Jon wrote:Good question. The addition date is not saved. You can add it yourself (either automatically with an import filter, or by "insert date" when you manually enter a reference), but these dates don't lend themselve to searches.
Would you consider this a feature request?
Jon
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Post by Jon »

What, exactly? Automatic insertion of date when a new ref is created rather than manual?

Jon
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Jon
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Post by Jon »

Perhaps an even better string to enter into the Smart SQL group search is this:

id > (select max(id) - 15 from thereferences)

This will return the last 15 references entered.

Jon
Sonny Software
frvs
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Post by frvs »

Jon wrote:Perhaps an even better string to enter into the Smart SQL group search is this:

id > (select max(id) - 15 from thereferences)

This will return the last 15 references entered.

Jon
Sonny Software
I followed these instructions (pasted the above string), and EN 9.3 crashed on me. I restarted the application (had to manually open the database file), and clicked on the previously created smart group; EN crashed again. I rebuilt the database, and again clicked on the new smart group; EN crashed. Now, on trying to open the rebuilt database, I get a "Search Error: Internal Error." I click OK and get an open window to create a new smart group. I click Cancel, and the database looks empty. I click in any group (includng "All") and get the same "Search Error: Internal Error" warning. I click OK, and the database still looks empty. Any other experiences like mine, any clues on what might be going wrong? Jon, help?
Jon
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Post by Jon »

Yes, try this with Bookends 9.0.4, not EndNote 9.3. :-)

Try Verify on the database (NOT the one that gives you an internal error, but the one before you rebuilt). Then contact me directly for support with the details of that.

Jon
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frvs
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Post by frvs »

Jon wrote:Yes, try this with Bookends 9.0.4, not EndNote 9.3. :-)

Try Verify on the database (NOT the one that gives you an internal error, but the one before you rebuilt). Then contact me directly for support with the details of that.

Jon
Sonny Software
OK, I hadn't realized 9.04 was already out (that was fast!). I upgraded, and the problematic new smart group now behaves just great. (The Verify funcion had nothing to report.) Thanks!

By the way, is it possible to put the Backup folder not in the Documents folder (but rather, say, in the Home folder)?
Jon
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Post by Jon »

Hi,

No, for now at least it's not modifiable. Documents is handy, because it is often a target for automatic backups (not by Bookends, but by dedicated backup applications).

Jon
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thecritic
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Post by thecritic »

Jon wrote:What, exactly? Automatic insertion of date when a new ref is created rather than manual?
Yes.
shg
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Joined: Mon May 21, 2007 1:42 pm

Smart Group by entered date

Post by shg »

Jon wrote:Bookends doesn't keep the entry date
I'm using 9.2.2 and found the entered date shown at the bottom of the info drawer. I guess the recent version of Bookends keeps entered date in the database. Does it?

Still there's no 'Entered date' in the Search popup menu of the new Smart Group dialog. Is it possible with 9.2.2 to create a SQL Smart Group for entries selected by the entered date?
Jon
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Post by Jon »

Hi,

Yes and no (mostly no). The entered date is stored internal as a number, not an actual date. But you'll see that in Bookends 10 you can designate one of the columns to display the date entered and sort on that (ascending or descending), so you'll always have access to the most recent (or oldest) references at the top of the list.

Jon
Sonny Software
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