Data Crow / News: Recent posts

With ample time in the past few months to introduce new functionality I have decided to release this maintenance release. It will will fix the upgrade process (as it was broken for some users) as well as fix reports not being available straight after the initial installation.

Apologies in case you already downloaded and installed the server version; I forgot to include the correct version of the web application.
This has now been fixed. If you downloaded the server version, please do so again. There's a corrected package waiting for you.

Apologies for the inconvenience.

Changes:

• Web; added field selection for the search
• Quick search now correctly searches on boolean values as well
• JasperReports has been upgraded to version 7.0.3. Data Crow now compiles the reports on startup (if needed).
• Major library upgrades: Apache Tika from 2.9 to version 3.2 / PDF Box from 2.0 to 3.0.5.
• Reporting: Data Crow now compiles the report templates from JasperReports on startup, if the template was changed. The functionality to deploy your own reports is still there and still the same. The main difference is that Data Crow no longer has deliver compiled reports. Data Crow tracks whether a (re)compile of the report is required.... read more

Finally! Data Crow 5.0 is here! The main addition is a completely new web version which works well on any device. Thanks to everyone helping out, either by translating labels and messages and/or helping in testing. And of course a big thanks to all my Patrons!

[New]

• Picture management has been completed changed; Data Crow now allows for unlimited number of pictures to be added.
• A completely new web version has been created.
• [Changed]
• Add from memory for pictures now also allowed URLs to be pasted.
• Removed the memory usage message from the log; only shown now using the -debug option.
• Edit as New; external references will no longer be copied as well as online service update information (as it is incorrect source documentation).
• Create item; when the item form is accidentally closed Data Crow does not warn the user; it just closes the item form and all changes are lost.
• Larger pictures in the quick view description panel (max 500x400).
• Added image server address as a parameter (optional).
• Certain processes in Data Crow were too actively checking for things to do; lowered the polling frequency.
• Improved the preview for the find and replace.
• Improved the find and replace regular expression support.
• Added failed login message if credentials are incorrect.
• Added clear option to the update all form.
• On startup the report versions (based on modification date) are checked against the systems reports. If the system reports are newer, the reports in the user folder are updated.
• Also added the picture preview pane to the icon browser.
• Create Multiple now adds items in top to bottom order.
• Scrolling performance has been significantly improved for the card list.
• Performance improvements for client-server mode have been made.
• Updated libraries as used by Data Crow to avoid exposure to vulnerabilities: Apache Maven plugins, IZ Pack, Metadata-extractor, Log4j, Bouncy Castle, twelvemonkeys.imageio, org.apache.tika, org.apache.pdfbox, org.jsoup, com.google.code.gson, Xalan, org.hsqldb, org.apache.xmlgraphics.
• Jasper Reports libraries have been bumped up to version 7.0.
• XML Export has been updated; empty values are no longer exported | a valid XSD is now generated for both individual modules as well as for the media module | IDs of items are now exported | attachments can now be exported | related references items are exported in full as well as the current summary for the item that references these.
• XML Import has been updated: no longer need to select the module for which the items are imported. The items as part of the XML know to which module they need to imported for. | IDs are respected
• Small layout improvements for the item form and the login dialog.
• Extended the supported image types for the local art import for movies and music files. ... read more

The new version can be downloaded from here: Sourceforge Download Page

For all intents and purposes this should be the last release candidate. I would like to release the final 5.0 within a short period of time.

Below are the fixed on the release candidate 1 version;

[Fixed]

• Ticket 139: XML not created correctly
• Pictures not shown in picture list for client-server mode
• Log on error after the first attempt has failed
• Web; cannot login with user with no password
• XML's as created by the export are not valid according to the XSD
• In the tree panel, for client-server, numbers are shown as .0
• Uploading images for client<>server is extremely slow
• Performance issues in general for client<>server
• Web; page number not remembered when navigating back
• Web; related items is a bit slow (it's now paginated)... read more

It's my pleasure to bring to you the first release candidate of Data Crow 5.0. After many beta versions, fixes and changes you are now looking at the end result. The major changes of this version are the new picture functionality, allowing you to store unlimited numbers of pictures per item, and... a completely new web version. The server edition contains the new web server version. It has been build using the latest technology. One of the benefits is that the new web client runs very smoothly on any device.... read more

I have created a new version of the Beta of Data Crow 5.0, focussing on fixing what was broken by recent changes and improving some minor things. The previous beta version had a quite significant issue with multi value lists not showing their content, that is the main thing that has been fixed now.
The web version still remains absent as I am still working on this.

It can be downloaded from here.... read more

I have been busy creating a new version of Data Crow. Not a minor version this time, but a major one. As this is taking its time I am releasing what is called a beta version. This is essentially a test version – an uncompleted version of Data Crow 5.0.

It can be downloaded from here.

Word of warning: this is a test version (beta) and has therefore not been fully tested. So be careful. I supply this for testing purposes. Reporting issues you encountered will help me greatly making a stable final Data Crow 5.0 build. I would not advise to just upgrade your current installation (although I just did).
If you are going to do this: make a backup first!... read more

I have been busy creating a new version of Data Crow. Not a minor version this time, but a major one. As this is taking its time I am releasing what is called a beta version. This is essentially a test version - an uncompleted version of Data Crow 5.0.

It can be downloaded from the Files section > Test versions.

Word of warning: this is a test version (beta) and has therefore not been fully tested. So be careful. I supply this for testing purposes. Reporting issues you encountered will help me greatly making a stable final Data Crow 5.0 build. I would not advise to just upgrade your current installation (although I just did).
If you are going to do this: make a backup first!... read more

It's about time that I gave another update on Data Crow. I am currently working hard on a new way Data Crow will be handling pictures.

The plan (honestly, we're just doing this..) is to make the picture fields disappear and allow you, as a user, to just… add pictures. Similar as to the attachment functionality. Any changes you make to picture are immediate, there's no item saving required to store picture information.... read more

[Fixed]

• Sometimes items could not be saved due to an error in calculating the file hash.
• Sometimes an attachment could not be opened.
• Added better management of number of requests for the Google Book Search. In case of a "too many request" error, Data Crow will retry after 1.5 seconds and will do so for a maximum of 4 retries.
• MobyGames.com did not show & and other characters correctly in the title.
• Create tab window size was not stored.
• Icon cannot be selected when creating a new tab for the item form.
• When a data folder / user folder was newly set up, Data Crow would (try to) create nulldc.script and nulldc.properties in the installation folder.
• Removed synchronizer for persons (should not have been there)
• Removed calendar export for loans for modules not supporting loan management... read more

Many thanks to everyone that helped in testing as well as to anyone who has updated the translations! This version brings you a lot of fixes and small changes as well as a new feature; the ability to attachment files to items.

[New]

• Attachments can now be added to items. These documents are stored within the Data Crow data set in a compressed format (zip). All main modules allow for attachments to be added.
• Added drag and drop support for pictures (from file and directly from web pages) and attachments.
• New Russian translations has been added (not finalized) - major thanks to Ilya Sigidin.
• Portuguese translation has been revamped - major thanks to Pedro Albuquerque.... read more

I have released a new version of the Data Crow – a test version. Please help me in testing the 4.10 release version. It can be found in the Downloads sections of this site.

I know, I know - another beta version... seriously!!?? Yes. I had too much to fix and too much to enhance that I felt a second beta is almost necessary. Also, the translation are trailing a bit behind - this gives the translations (and thus the translators as well) a bit of more time to finish (hopefully - please don't let me down).... read more

This beta version can be downloaded from: https://datacrow.org/downloads/

The following is contained within this beta version:

[New]

• Attachments can now be added to items. These documents are stored within the Data Crow data set in a compressed format. All main modules allow for attachments to be added.
• Images are now stored with a maximum resolution. The maximum resolution can be selected when upgrading Data Crow. For new installations Data Crow will automatically set it to 1920 x 1080, a value which can be changed through the Image Size Coversion settings tool.
• Added drag and drop support for pictures (from file and directly from web pages) and attachments.
• New Russian translations has been added (not finalized) - major thanks to Ilya Sigidin.... read more

I am on a holiday at the moment, returning next week. As usually around this part of the month I would release a new version Data Crow I'd thought it would be a good idea to give a heads up on the current short term plans. Once back from holiday I will focus on another small release where I will mostly either fixing or improving current functionality. This will be version 4.9.2 which I am planning to release at the start of August 2023 at the latest. ... read more

A new version has been released;

Many thanks to Ariel Chyłek for all the translation work and to SandBird for the extensive testing.

[Fixed]

• Issue with self referencing items; right-click menu not showing in view for referenced item.
• Fixed an issue where quick search is not working when the item holds a reference to an item of module with having the first numeric field set as descriptive.
• Settings not saved on exit when Data Crow asks for a restart.
• When an item has a self referencing field it caused the item form to always say there are unsaved changes regardless of having made changes.
• Values present in self referencing fields were exported to XML with their ID only.
• Item was able to referencing itself. This causes all kinds of issues; now, when trying to save an item that references itself, the system will prevent you from doing so. Note that it was not possible to filter them from the various fields, this would trigger a rewrite of the way fields are generated. Maybe something for later. The upgrade will remove self referencing values if present (silently).
• Custom property modules can now be deleted, also when they have not yet been assigned to a reference(s) field.
• Reference drop-down not sorted per the user settings.
• Collation issues in the tree view in case the first descriptive field is a numeric field.
• Tree view did not always adhere to the descriptive settings.
• Apply button will now remain disabled when a merge has been completed.
• Server error response was not correctly send to connected clients.
• Editing an item in the table view could result in loss of multi-reference values.
• JasperReports dependencies were missing causing in functions to fail when generating the report.
• Stop button for report generation did not work. It now stops the exporting process. Known issue is that the report generation process of Jasper Reports can not be stopped.
• Stop button is for report generation is only active when a process is running.
• Update All dialog could be opened multiple times. Now it blocks access to the view and therefore also blocks the selection of items as made on opening this tool.... read more

This beta version can be downloaded from: https://datacrow.org/downloads/

The following is contained within this beta version.

[Fixed]

• Issue with self referencing items; right-click menu not showing in view for referenced
  item.
• Fixed an issue where quick search is not working when the item holds a reference to
  an item of module with having the first numeric field set as descriptive.
• Settings not saved on exit when Data Crow asks for a restart.
• When an item has a self referencing field it caused the item form to always say there
  are unsaved changes regardless of having made changes.
• Values present in self referencing fields were exported to XML with their ID only.
• Item was able to referencing itself. This causes all kinds of issues; now, when trying
  to save an item that references itself, the system will prevent you from doing so.
  Note that it was not possible to filter them from the various fields, this would trigger
  a rewrite of the way fields are generated. Maybe something for later.
  The upgrade will remove self referencing values if present (silently).
• Custom property modules can now be deleted, also when they have not yet been assigned
  to a reference(s) field.
• Reference drop-down not sorted per the user settings.
• Collation issues in the tree view in case the first descriptive field is a numeric
  field.
• Tree view did not always adhere to the descriptive settings.
• Apply button will now remain disabled when a merge has been completed.
• Server error response was not correctly send to connected clients.
• Editing an item in the table view could result in loss of multi-reference values.
• JasperReports dependencies were missing causing in functions to fail when generating
  the report.
• Stop button for report generation did not work. It now stops the exporting process.
  Known issue is that the report generation process of Jasper Reports can not be stopped.
• Stop button is for report generation is only active when a process is running.... read more

Version 4.9 brings you a whole new module to register Comic Books. It is supported by the invaluable online source that is https://comicvine.gamespot.com.
I have not yet created a DMG for MacOS, I am planning on creation and uploading this package, as part of this release, within the next few days.

[New]

• Data Crow synchronization service for external (to Data Crow) devices. This service allows both module and data to be synchronized. At the current stage, it's a one way synchronization going from Data Crow to the external device. This is the build up for something great(er) in the near future.
• New module: comic books.
• New online search for comics: Comic Vine
• New online search for comic book characters: Comic Vine... read more

I am working hard on a new release for Data Crow at this very moment. I will be releasing BETA versions every now and then so please make sure to check the downloads sections of the Data Crow homepage.

Planned:

• Create a DMG file (code signed) for MacOS users (severely lacking at this moment,
  Data Crow can only be run from the terminal at this moment).
• Add online services for comic books (Marvel and Comic Vine).
• Add translations for comic book module
• Adjust settings for the comic book module.... read more

With version 4.8.0 I mistakingly made a structure change to the states for the various modules. This fix reverts back that change after which you'll have all the features of version 4.8.0 without having to deal with this pesky issue.
Luckily a user quickly notified me allowing me to fix this issue swiftly. Not many of you will have had the version 4.8 installed but I thought it to be better to create this release rather than trying to retract version 4.8 and re-release it.... read more

With each release there's more available in Data Crow. This time there's a completely new module; Board Games. It includes online search support using the magnificent site BoardGamesAtlas.com. On the Movie front a new online search has been added; MovieMeter.nl
The help has been moved to the website (https://datacrow.org/docs) and the applications help has been linked to the website.

[New]

• Added a new module: Board Games
• Added online search: Board Games Atlas.
• Added merge option to other modules beside the property modules. This means you can now merge artists, developers and other (sub) module items. It allows you to select the duplicated items and select an existing target item. The process will the update all references from the duplicated items to the new target item. When that's done, the selected duplicated items are removed from the database completely. The merge dialog has been improved a bit as well.
• Added componists module and added a componists field to the music album module.
• Added moviemeter.nl online search (Dutch movie site).
• Database language setting added. This determines how items are sorted. For most languages, the default will work. But if you find the sorting is not correct, please change the setting in Settings > Regional Settings > Database Language.... read more

A beta version has been released; find it on datacrow.org.

With each release there's more available in Data Crow. This time there's a completely new module; Board Games. It includes online search support using the magnificent site BoardGamesAtlas.com. On the Movie front a new online search has been added; MovieMeter.nl.

[New]

• Added merge option to other modules beside the property modules. This means you can now merge artists, developers and other (sub) module items. It allows you to select the duplicated items and select an existing target item. The process will the update all references from the duplicated items to the new target item. When that's done, the selected duplicated items are removed from the database completely. The merge dialog has been improved a bit as well.
• Added componists module and added a componists field to the music album module.
• Added moviemeter.nl online search (Dutch movie site).
• Database language setting added. This determines how items are sorted. For most languages, the default will work. But if you find the sorting is not correct, please change the setting in Settings > Regional Settings > Database Language.
• Added a new module: Board Games
• Added online search: Board Games Atlas.... read more

There's a new beta version available on the Data Crow website.

[New]

• Added merge option to other modules beside the property modules. This means you can now merge artists, developers and other (sub) module items. It allows you to select the duplicated items and select an existing target item. The process will the update all references from the duplicated items to the new target item. When that's done, the selected duplicated items are removed from the database completely. The merge dialog has been improved a bit as well.
• Added componists module and added a componists field to the music album module.
• Added moviemeter.nl online search (Dutch movie site).
• Database language setting added. This determines how items are sorted. For most languages, the default will work. But if you find the sorting is not correct, please change the setting in Settings > Regional Settings > Database Language.... read more

Online service pack 1.7:
reimplemented online service for The Movie Database; fixed issues present in previous versions where actors and such were no longer retrieved and added additional fields to be retrieved such as: rating, countries and languages.

Data Crow will update the online services pack automatically on start-up if and when the settings of your configuration allow for it.
Make sure that in your settings (Settings > Settings > General Settings) the option for checking for new versions is enabled as well as that auto-updating of online services is allowed.

Data Crow 4.7 brings an much better look and feel, new online services (archive.org and OpenLibrary.org) and a very much improved handling of item to item relationships.

[New]

• Archive.org software online book, software and movie search.
• Open Library (openlibrary.org) online book search. The online search fetches edition information and work information.
• Added a new Look and Feel: FlatLaf Light. This is a more modern Look and Feel which is still actively developed (https://www.formdev.com/flatlaf/). This will be the default Look and Feel for Data Crow from now on (for new installations). Find it in Settings > Look and Feel Note that on upgrading the system will automatically switch to this skin.... read more