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--- pergamonmu:readers:deferredupdates [2017/09/05 07:45]
admin
+++ pergamonmu:readers:deferredupdates [2017/09/19 12:50] (current)
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@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 ===== Searching for Readers =====
-{{:pergamonmu:readers:deferred_update_search.jpg?direct&200 |}}Next, you need to identify the readers that you wish to modify. In order to make the system familiar, the search system is identical to that in the main [[pergamonmu:general:search|search facility]]. Enter as many search criteria as you need, then click search to display the readers identified by the search. The aim of the search is to identify **only** the readers that you want to be altered by this deferred update package.
+{{:pergamonmu:readers:deferred_update_search.jpg?direct&200 |}}Next, you need to identify the readers that you wish to modify. In order to make the system familiar, the search system is identical to that in the main [[pergamonmu:general:search|search facility]]. Enter as many search criteria as you need, then click [**Search**] to display the readers identified by the criteria. The aim of the search is to identify **only** the readers that you want to be altered by this deferred update package.
-For a tutor group update for example, the search criteria is easy: simply select the **current** tutor group from the drop down list in the tutor group criteria row. If you selection is accompanied by a number that you do not recognised, simply ignore it: this is a unique internal identification number used by the search system and for support purposes (if required).
+For a tutor group update for example, the search criteria is easy: simply select the **current** tutor group from the drop down list in the tutor group criteria row. If the selection is displayed with a number that you do not recognise, simply ignore it: this is a unique internal identification number used by the search system and for support purposes (if required).
-**NOTE:** Trying to perform updates of this nature using **criteria** is extremely dangerous - update group 1 to 2, group 2 to 3, and group 3 to 4 for example, results in everyone in group 4 (think about it...) unless you are very clear about the criteria and order in which you perform updates. As a result, we have deliberately implemented a system where only the **specific reader** identified at this stage is used as the target of the modification. The change therefore becomes very targeted, and removes the chances of making an error when configuring a deferred update package. In other words, **if the reader is not in the results list, it will not be affected by the changes**.
+**Why do we search for and identify the individual readers, instead of just using a group name?**
+Trying to perform updates of this nature just using wild-card **criteria** (e.g. the group name) can be extremely dangerous - update group 1 to 2, group 2 to 3, and group 3 to 4 for example, results in everyone in group 4 (think about it...) unless you are very clear about the criteria and order in which you perform updates. As a result, we have deliberately implemented a system where only the **specific reader** identified at this stage is used as the target of the modification. The change therefore becomes very targeted, and removes the chances of making an error when configuring a deferred update package. In other words, **if the reader is not in the results list, it will not be affected by the changes**.
 ===== Attaching Changes =====
 {{:pergamonmu:readers:deferred_update_change1.jpg?direct&200 |}} Once a set of readers are identified, changes can be attached to the package. Click on the left-hand side of the **Changes** list to display the context-sensitive menu, containing the list of changes that can be made to the readers (in this version of the software). Select what type of change is required and a new row is added to the list.
+**Note:** Not all areas can be changed by this method - you only have access to fields that are logical to receive bulk changes - tutor groups are available for example, but the reader Date of Birth is not as it is unlikely that a large number of readers would have the same date.
 If you need to remove a row added erroneously, click the row and select the [**Remove Row**] option in the meu.
-{{:pergamonmu:readers:deferred_update_change2.jpg?direct&200 |}}In order to set a new value, click the **right-hand** column of the selected row - phrases and dates will display and edit box, while known values (such as tutor groups, gender, circulations profiles etc.) will provide the available values in a drop-down list.
+{{:pergamonmu:readers:deferred_update_change2.jpg?direct&200 |}}In order to set a new value, click the **right-hand** column of the selected row - phrases and date fields will display an edit box for you to enter a value manually, while known values (such as tutor groups, gender, circulations profiles etc.) will provide the available values in a drop-down list.
 More than one change can be made to the selected readers if required. In order to add another change, click the left-hand column again in order to select a new change from the context-sensitive menu.

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