InScribe is a data editor that enables users to create, edit, and delete catalog information over the Internet. It supports a wide range of cataloging requirements from simple data input forms to data entry and editing for many interrelated entities (objects, media, groupings, vocabulary and so forth) with complex interrelationships. InScribe also provides the ability to handle cataloging from digital reproductions and for linking text information with media content.
Some of InScribe’s key features are:
Clients and servers can be located anywhere on the Internet. InScribe can be used to update a source relational database and/or update Insight internal indices.
InScribe provides for XML import and export of data content.
Insight’s media viewing tools are available within InScribe, and the editor can be used for linking and unlinking data and media. However, associated media is not required and InScribe may be used for text-only applications.
A system of editorial levels manages content change. Additions, edits, and deletions are logged into a user’s Outbox and appear in the Inbox of higher-level editors. Rejected changes are placed in the originator’s Inbox. An editorial level may be assigned the right to commit changes to the database. Editorial levels and policies are set by you, the administrator.
InScribe fields offer three types of controlled vocabularies: value lists created extemporaneously from data content, local vocabularies maintained as separate look-ups, and imported standard vocabularies that are created and maintained externally. Both vocabulary lists and hierarchical thesauri (for example, AAT, TGN) are supported.
Embedding of entities allows for auto fill-in of information. For example, an artist’s life dates and nationality can be filled in automatically based on the selection of their name. Repeating values for fields and groups of related fields in a record are supported.
Each entity record type offers multiple views for searching, selection, and for record and table displays. Preferences may be set for display labels and sort orders. Setting for attachment of controlled vocabulary, value type and range checks are applied at the field level within entity records.
A goal of InScribe is to make cataloging as efficient as possible. InScribe includes features for quality and access control of catalog information. At the field level, values are checked for proper type, form, and range (if numeric). At the tracking level, InScribe includes administrative information about the user or cataloger and a time stamp for data creation and modification.
Control of InScribe privileges is assigned on the basis of User Group affiliation. These privileges include explicit access, such as the ability to change authority tables and view reserved fields. Reserve fields include administrative information about cataloging and selected information that only certain users should see. Also, privileges will include authority to review and approve new cataloging, and to commit such entries to the update process for the data set.