Spell Checking and Updating In SpecLink-E

This article is one of a series intended to keep you informed as we develop SpecLink-E, successor to the long-lived BSD SpecLink+ system. The primary goals for this new product include expanding the word processing functionality to come closer to that of Microsoft Word, improving the underlying database components to bolster performance over local and wide area networks, including VPNs, and modernizing the product installation and updating features to reduce the manual intervention and oversight presently required. This article discusses the new spell checking functionality, and—more importantly—master database updating that takes place almost transparently, letting day-to-day operations continue without interruption.

Spelling Checker

In SpecLink+ the spell check feature only works on the document you have open. In SpecLink-E, you have three different spell checker modes. There is now a real-time spell checker that presents a squiggly red underline beneath misspelled word as you work. You can use the context menu with the right mouse button to select alternatives or add the word to your dictionary if that is appropriate. You can also spell check the current text selection or the entire document using a dialog that offers a number of options and spelling alternatives. And you can spell check all or part of the whole project.

The Project Spell Check dialog (see dialog box, left) lets you specify the documents you want to check. The software actually checks the documents on the server and checks out and loads the document for review if it finds misspellings. If a document is already checked out, SLE moves on to the next document but tries the document again after it completes everything else.

Transparent Updating

In a previous issue of LinkLine (Fall 2006), we reviewed the new SpecLink-E software configuration as a loosely connected client and continuously running server, and about its installation and how it gets updated. This quarter we describe how we plan to update the SpecLink-E master database and the projects that are using that master. As you are probably aware, we currently create and ship a quarterly CD that contains both new software and a new master database. Installation of the CD is mandatory as part of the subscription. It is very important to us—as well as to you—to keep you updated with the latest data (the latest specification text). But we know the process can be onerous and detracts from SpecLink’s many time saving features. That’s why we think you’ll be glad to hear that with this new generation we’re separating the software installation and update from the database update, and for those with a high speed Internet connection we’re eliminating altogether the quarterly install ritual.

BSD presently uses “web services” to collect information from you about how the SpecLink master data is being used in the field. Essentially, each customer site reports statistical information about section usage back to BSD approximately once a month. If you permit it with the checkbox on the Project Info dialog, we also collect certain project data. SpecLink-E will make this a two-way process by using the same channel to pass master database updates to your site.

In the new updating scheme, BSD specifications editors will make two types of changes to the master database on BSD’s server. The first type will be edits to a specific document (specification section). When the edits are complete, the BSD editor will “publish” the document updates as a package, essentially placing the update package on an “available updates” list and making it available to an updates manager on BSD’s server. The second type of update is one that affects many documents spanning a large segment of the master database. These are commonly changes to references or changes to manufacturer listings. These changes will also be periodically published as a single update package, placing them on the list of available updates and making them available to the updates manager.

Meanwhile, the SpecLink-E server component which runs continuously on your server periodically sends a request to the BSD server to get a list of available updates. It can do this at night or on the weekend to minimize interference with daily activities. On receipt of the list from the BSD server, your server determines which updates have not yet been downloaded and sends requests back to the BSD server to download each new update. As your server component’s update manager downloads updates it applies them to your master database, again working in off-hours. It also begins the process of marking projects. Project Administrators can then choose what updates, if any, to apply to each project. If security has not been enabled, any user may do the same (see the Spring 2007 article Managing Users in SpecLink-E). This process operates much like the Mark and Apply Updates process in SpecLink+. We think this approach will greatly reduce burdens on administrators and users alike while still keeping your data up to date and allowing you the freedom of choice.

We expect to release a beta version of SpecLink-E, including critical editing features, in the fall and would welcome your participation if you can take the time away from production to provide feedback to us. Send an email to support@bsdsoftlink.com mentioning “Beta Program” in the subject line if you would like to participate.