Hi James,
On Jan 11, 2006, at 6:05 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Myself, I'm unofficially evaluating software that can be used as an
alternative to commercial software. So my latest project is comparing
JabRef, Bibus and PBib as alternatives to the current EndNote we use.
On that note, if anybody has comments, suggestions or criticisms as to
which one they prefer, it would
be very much appreciated.
My personal opinion is that while Endnote is problematic, there is not
yet a viable open source alternative. It's a difficult problem.
But notwithstanding details, I think if you do a comparison, you should
look at specific criteria:
1. breadth and depth of data model
2. support for a broad range of real world citation styles
3. integration with word processors (which really mean MS Word, but
also might as well consider OOo)
4. import/export support
5. international support (unicode and such, but also go back to point 1)
6. online catalog integration
I just love working with OpenOffice because it does what I tell it do,
no questions asked.
I'd like to help with the software development so I've started
learning how to code in
Delphi (C++) and Python and am hoping to eventually learn Java but
right now I just
have so many other things on my plate, including completing my degree.
...
Yes, that one is common. FYI, C++ is really the core language of OOo.
Anyhow, the main reason I'm writing this email is to make a comment or
a suggestion. If
I am exporting references into an article that will be published then
the references will
need to be in a particular format e.g.
Authors (Date) Title. Journal (in italics) vol (in bold): pages.
But what if that format is not in the archive for the program i.e. it
has not been
predefined? Then, presumably, the user would have to define this new
citation style e.g.
Authors. Date. Title (in italics). Journal (in bold) vol: pages.
Perhaps there might be an option where the new style can be made
publicly available
i.e. the information is then sent back to Sun where the style is
included as an update
and as an addition to the next version of OpenOffice.
I'm sure that this feature has been or now will be integrated into the
program. I'm
looking forward to working with it.
For a long time I've imagined an online repository of citation styles,
not even limited to OOo. That's part of the vision behind this:
http://xbiblio.sourceforge.net/csl.html
Bruce
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