Roud index problem

Subject: Folklore: Roud index problem
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 25 Jun 14 - 03:19 PM

Am I alone in being unable to access the Roud index at present?
I keep getting the message:
"The VWML index files are currently being updated. This process may take two or three hours."
This happened a few weeks ago and lasted for several days
Any idea what's happening?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: Brian Peters
Date: 25 Jun 14 - 03:34 PM

Jim, you can still access the RI through the Full English portal. I think the plan was to replace the old version, so maybe they've now taken it down for good. Although I don't think all the files have been moved across, since some of my searches are coming up with fewer results than they did on the old page.

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 25 Jun 14 - 03:40 PM

Jim, try asking on the TRADSONG forum and then you'll get Steve direct and he can explain any new initiatives.

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 25 Jun 14 - 03:43 PM

No problem for me now.

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 03:57 AM

Sorry folks
It must have happened - I knew it would come to this one day.
Still can't access the index in the regular way and the 'Full English' link gives me loads of information on it, but no way, as far as I can see, the facility to access the site - couldn't have come at a worse time.
I'll try TRADSONG later - failing that , I'll drive up to the Cliffs of Moher....
Thanks for your help
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: Brian Peters
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 04:24 AM

Jim, the old RI pages are working for me now.

Alternatively, to access via the Full English, click 'Advance Search' at top right of window (underneath search box), which brings up a list of archives. Tick 'Roud Folksong and broadside indexes' and uncheck all the other boxes. Then put in your title, Roud No. or whatever.

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 08:03 AM

Gotcha!!
Your blood's worth bottling, as they say here!
Have to get used to the new format - but will save me having to throw myself over the Cliffs
Thanks all
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: Brian Peters
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 08:34 AM

You keep away from the Cliffs of Moher, Jim - I just looked them up and now understand the reference!

I know the following gripe should be addressed to the proper authorities, but I miss the facility on the old pages of being able to see the hits as a list of up to 50 brief entries, which saved a lot of scrolling on my (slow) computer. Or does the newer site have a way of doing this that I haven't found yet?

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: GUEST,Steve Roud
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 09:08 AM

I didn't know the old site was still functioning - or that anyone was still using it! It hasn't been updated for a long time, so you've been missing out on a lot of new stuff. The new site (www.vwml.org) has thousands more songs in the Folk Song Index and tens of thousands more in the Broadsides, and lots of added features such as live URL links to other online sites such as the Bodleian and the School of Scottish Studies, The new site will take some getting used to, but it's worth it.
As Brian says, always use the ADVANCED SEARCH facility and narrow it to Roud Indexes, unless you want to search across all the databases, including the Full English.
If you want to be kept informed about developments and new versions, join my Yahoo group https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/RoudIndexes/info
or you can download the whole thing from Google Drive to use in your own database package.
Glad to hear you're still finding the indexes useful.
Steve Roud

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: GUEST,Steve Roud
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 10:21 AM

PS - if you can be in London on 15th November, we (joint EFDSS / TSF) are organising a whole-day practical session on how to use online resources like the Full English, my indexes, Bodleian, ITMA, etc. to their best advantage. Details will be announced later on the EFDSS website, Tradsong, etc.
SR

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 11:08 AM

you can download the whole thing from Google Drive

Do you have a link, please?

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 11:21 AM

I haven't had time to examine it fully yet, but so far, I find it easier to use than the old one (speaking as somebody who flies into a panic every time somebody changes something)
Personally, we'd be totally lost without the index - hence the above panic when I couldn't access it.
Somebody might be able to answer a question -
Some years ago Steve began including our collection in the index, but became sidetracked before he could finish.
Throughout this year I have been annotating our Clare collection (between 400 and 500 songs) for putting up on the County Library website - they now come with notes, Roud, Laws and Child numbers (where existing) and full transcripts.
Does anybody know if he is still adding to the index from private collections, ot is he otherwise engaged?
I don't wish to put him on the spot if he's busy
Thanks
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 01:26 PM

He's always busy! But do keep reminding him on the forums he visits regularly.

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: GUEST,Steve Roud
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 06:51 PM

If you want to download my main indexes for 'home use', the following are the links for The Broadside Index, The Folk Song Index, and the supporting BiblioDiscography - version 103 (June 2014)
They are comma-delimited, wrapped in quotes text files, which should be uploadable into any reasonable database package including Access, Filemaker, Cardbox, and so on. If you want to follow this route I urge you again to join the RoudIndexes Yahoo group, as that is the only place that announcements of new versions and new files is normally made and technical questions discussed.
SR

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_ni_qmjmNDtQWdHYlFVVDhNcmc/edit?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_ni_qmjmNDtS0JlNFVOdlU4cnc/edit?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_ni_qmjmNDtWjBTWVZ1UGswTVU/edit?usp=sharing

Subject: RE: Roud index problem
From: GUEST,Steve Roud
Date: 26 Jun 14 - 07:07 PM

To pick up on Jim Carroll's question - yes, I am still very interested in listing people's private collections as I think this is extremely valuable information for researchers present and future. So I'd be pleased to hear from anyone with a collection like Jim's, for future reference. However, with limited time available for indexing (I do other things occasionally), other types of material often take priority, for various reasons, and I tend to bounce from one pressing need to another (or one whim to another). What I'm focussing on at present is putting in links to other online sites (particularly ITMA at the moment because I'm way behind with the sound files they've been putting up) because these give researchers 'instant gratification' as the material is already up there. And I'm still trying to add song-numbers to the Broadside Index.. and so on. But, Jim, contact me direct and we'll try to get your collection finished, as we made a good start back when, and it's good to hear that you're working with the County Library to make things available. I always need to be nagged to get my attention.
Steve Roud