Digital Library @ PNM : myrepositori.pnm.gov.my

Salam all, In my last writing : DSpace @ National Library of Malaysia : A Digital Initiative by Govt i wrote about initiatives taken by The National Library of Malaysia to make their collection available online. Today, i'm going to reveal the repository name and address. It is called myrepositori and you can view it here http://myrepositori.pnm.gov.my In fact, i found that u-pustaka portal has put a link to myrepositori which u can see in the below snapshot:

I believe that PNM is currently working very hard to make the repository as one of the best they have. Its not easy to digitize, cataloging and make the collection available via online. We are talking about NATIONAL LIBRARY, so you can guest how many items they have. Nevertheless, the PNM has all resources they need to make this possible. I wonder if the same repository(DSpace) can be extend to other state's library. hmmm.. Or each state may have their own repository and can import/export or link to each other repository(this is awesome!!). Anyway, please feel free to browse through the repository and you may find something useful/interesting for yourself.

DSpace 4.0 New Look : Awesome

Salam all, After years working with DSpace software, i have to admit that the new default DSpace 4.0 interface design by cineca is awesome. It's simpler and what is more obvious is the color used by them (blue and green) make the interface is very pleasant for the eyes. Here, take a look at the new DSpace snapshot: 1) DSpace Home

2) Edit Profile

3) Administration Tools

Great work guys :)

Installing DSpace 4.0 on Windows 7 : Common Problems

Salam all, Installing DSpace is quite easy. Installing DSpace on Windows should be easier. However, i'm struggling about 2 days trying to install postgresql database, then i execute command mvn package from a wrong directory and few other thing which i will highlight here may helps the 1st timer to find solutions with similar problems. Problems: a) Installing PosgreSQL database I download postgresql-9.3.3-1-windows-x64 from here. I tried to install but in the end of the installation i got warning like below: Problem running post-install step. Installation may not complete correctly. The database cluster initialisation failed.

-taken from here If you got this warning, you wouldn't be able to connect your local database. You will get error : Server not listening. So here is the solutions : great, working and straight to the point solution b) Installing DSpace There are two thing you need to pay more attention. i) dspace.install.dir Make sure u use forward slash like this : '/' eg: C:/dspace Refer step no.5 page 48 at DSpace Manual. ii) Build the installation package Refer step no.7 page 50 at DSpace Manual. This is wrong, suppose you need to run your command from cd [dspace-source]/ only. Here is the explanation. That's all for now, i hope with this post you will not struggling installing DSpace like me :)

DSpace @ National Library of Malaysia : A Digital Initiative by Govt

Salam everybody, Today i'm gonna write about 1 special project that i have just completed few months back.Its a project by National Library of Malaysia. Its quite a big project(to me) bcoz its involved extra operations such as data migration. They have installed DSpace before(for testing/prove of concept purpose) and have collections inside but then they wanted to make it real(production) so they required the latest version of DSpace, a customized design tailored to PNM (Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia) and of course the data migration.

Below are the process involved during the project and softwares used:-
a) OS Installation (LINUX)
b) Installation & configuration

• DSpace v3.1
• Apache Tomcat 6
• Apache Maven and Apache Ant
• jdk
• PostgreSql

c) Data Migration from old DSpace to the latest version this includes not only data but assets folder.
d) CSS customization, Dynamic page banner and page counter.

I'm struggled for almost 3 weeks while trying to install apache maven due to the unavailable default repository. Anyway, i found other website hosting all maven jar so i download and copy to the server manually before i install on the DSpace server. My special thanks to PNM's Bahagian Digital and IT for their support and trust in this open source project.

PNM currently has not yet announced to the public about the repository, therefore i can not reveal its name and its web address. I will update the post as soon as i know they have opened the repository to the public. Below is the screen shot for the repository. Until the next writing, take care and wish you a very happy new 2014 year :)

Akad Sinergi | Pinjaman Peribadi MBSB

Salam,

Few weeks back i spent my night and weekend working on the website for Akad Sinergi Sdb Bhd. Its my brother's company and they are master agent for MBSB. At 1st i just use static html but then i add few dynamics page(php) with simple db(MySql). But a domain and hosting it locally(Malaysia's hosting provider)

Users are able to register to become a marketing agent for the company and for goverment staff they can apply personal loan(pinjaman peribadi) online. Both transaction will alert the admin thru email and the user will be notified also thru email.

I have a big plan for this website(expand more advance functions) but it would take more time and effort. With 2 small daughters, its quite difficult :) See you on my next post.

Crosstab VS Subreports

Salam,

I have developed reports using open source iReport software over the years. Sometimes, the report's design require developer to use crosstab function. It happens when we need column and row both to be dynamic. Usually we have number of column fixed and row will be dynamic. If you still don't get me, please see the image below :-

The above example show that the column is fixed(Total) and the row(Country) is dynamic(will be populate base on data). For each country, we want to know how many customer exist. Now, let see the 2nd example :-

The above example show that the both country and month is populated base on data.
Now, we can accomplish this via crosstab or subreports. See below for the advantages and of both solutions.

Crosstab :

• Fast way and easy to use if you understand the concept
• Can add sub column and sub row
• Can add total by sub column and sub row

Subreports :

• Easier than crosstab(for beginners)
• Able to generate row eventhough it has no data for that month(perhaps u want to display 0)

Bear in mind that you may need many subreports in order to satisfy the design. I always think that crosstab is the best solution.Anyway, other people might think the other way around.

Adios..

Tagging & Tag Clouds

Salam guys,

Long time no write. Been very bz in this project. Anyway i got a task from a lecturer at UM to include a tagging function in DSpace @ UM. So i started to search for any clue regarding the task. I came to this website https://wiki.duraspace.org/display/DSPACE/Tagging and i have to admits that this website and its author (Christophe Dupriez) helps me a lot. Long story short - i manage to complete the task given in 4 months(part-time). Here is the preview:

From this task, i learn that its not to hard to add new functions in existing DSpace source code. As long as you know java very well and you know the DSpace architecture you can add any functions you want easily. I also been given a task to 'make over' the DSpace @ UM looks. Here is the new looks :

It also has a new name : Theses @ UMalaya

Sounds 'macho' isn't it? Till my next writing (that i don't know when).. Adios..