Hi, I just gave BE8 a try and was pleasantly surprised. The test import from my EndNote database also went smooth and I was happy to see that it correctly imported the unique ID field from EndNote. For better and for worse, I use this ID to file my reprints so having this number is vital for me to even consider a switch.
So far so good. But then I noticed that Bookends has a (to me) wierd way of assigning unique ID's of its own, when I create a new ref from within BE. It creates a 5-digit number that seems completely random (although, I would suppose, unique...), which makes it completely impossible to continue with my filing system.
Sigh, so close. Any suggestions?
Nick
The unique ID field
Hi Nick,
While it may not jibe well with your current filing method, the method used by Bookends is really superior to the way EndNote does it. In a sequential ordering system you cannot merge databases and you cannot send your references to others and maintain the unique IDs. With Bookends, these problems almost never arise (it is conceivable to have a collision when you move references between databases, but it is extremely rare).
My suggestion would be to still use the unique ID if you like (although given Bookends' pdf organizing abilities you might go this route if your references are in this format), but rejigger your folders to have larger number ranges (1-5000, 5000-10000, etc.).
Others may have suggestions as well.
Jon
Sonny Software
While it may not jibe well with your current filing method, the method used by Bookends is really superior to the way EndNote does it. In a sequential ordering system you cannot merge databases and you cannot send your references to others and maintain the unique IDs. With Bookends, these problems almost never arise (it is conceivable to have a collision when you move references between databases, but it is extremely rare).
My suggestion would be to still use the unique ID if you like (although given Bookends' pdf organizing abilities you might go this route if your references are in this format), but rejigger your folders to have larger number ranges (1-5000, 5000-10000, etc.).
Others may have suggestions as well.
Jon
Sonny Software
-
Guest
Thanks for the replies and suggestions!
After my initial disappointment I am more optimistic now, and in any case, as Jon pointed out, most new articles will be available as pdf's anyway so the problem may not really be so big. The PDF filing in BE is excellent.
I have ordered a copy of Bookends now and so far all is well. A bit of getting used to when I have used EN for so long, but it looks good. And I was very happy to see that BE can actually scan old manuscripts written with Endnote... this makes the move so much smoother.
Thanks, Nick
After my initial disappointment I am more optimistic now, and in any case, as Jon pointed out, most new articles will be available as pdf's anyway so the problem may not really be so big. The PDF filing in BE is excellent.
I have ordered a copy of Bookends now and so far all is well. A bit of getting used to when I have used EN for so long, but it looks good. And I was very happy to see that BE can actually scan old manuscripts written with Endnote... this makes the move so much smoother.
Thanks, Nick