December 5, 2003

This month, the University of Michigan Library will make available release 11 of the DLXS software.   In addition to a number of significant functional changes in the software, release 11 will also include two new versions of XPAT.   For active subscribers to DLXS, an initial beta release of a Unicode-capable version of XPAT ( " xpatu" ) will be included in the licensed version of DLXS.   However, freely available on the DLXS web site will also be a "lite" version of XPAT.   The XPAT lite search engine is capable of indexing source files up to 10 megabytes in size.   We hope that the DLXS distribution with XPAT lite software will be useful in several ways:

1. First, for many, the size limitation of 10Mb will not be a significant impediment, and should allow them to use DLXS to provide access to very interesting digital library collections.   In this way, the XPAT lite software will combine with the open source software development at Michigan to create an entirely free version of DLXS .
2. There has been a pressing need, however, for some institutions and smaller organizations to try DLXS before committing financial resources.   This version of DLXS will also function as a "demo" version.

 

Although we are not able to provide support to users of the free DLXS using XPAT lite, (we will continue to limit support for DLXS, as well as enhancement balloting, to active subscribers to its support program), we are making available a listserv for users of the free DLXS to share experiences and tips.   To subscribe to the listserv, dlxsfree-users@listserver.itd.umich.edu, please visit http://listserver.itd.umich.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=dlxsfree-users .   Click the " Join dlxsfree-users " button and fill out the membership form.

 

For more information on XPAT lite and to acquire the software, please go to www.dlxs.org .

 

DLXS release 11 also includes the following enhancements:

1. Integration of MySQL (and other relational database support) as an alternative to XPAT for Image Class.
2. Integration of jpeg2000 as an alternative to MrSID for Image Class
3. XSLT-based display for BibClass.
4. Class-based version of the Finding Aids middleware, as well as support for EAD2002.
5. And of course, for DLXS subscribers, Unicode (UTF-8) support in XPAT.

 

Michigan continues to devote resources to strengthening the open source features of DLXS.   In addition to its middleware software development, which continues to make the results of its efforts freely available at www.dlxs.org , we are also investing resources in the integration of Etymon's Amberfish, an XML-aware search engine distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.   More information on this effort will be available as we approach our goal.