From: "Seymour, Janet I - WHS" <Janet.Seymour@wisconsinhistory.org> Date: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 09:57:56 -0500 Subject: List Serve FW: PastPerfect news: April 2009 Message-ID: <488E289A5C909049B0E55F6B651B5B35012FA0DBA18C@MEWMAD0PC01G02.accounts.wistate.us>
Information from Past Perfect Software, for those of you using the software
or who are considering it.
Janet Seymour
Field Services Representative - Northern Region
Wisconsin Historical Society
Voice: 715-836-2250
Collecting, Preserving, and Sharing Stories Since 1846
Review past messages at: http://listserve.uwec.edu/localhistory/
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From: PastPerfect Newsletter [news@museumsoftware.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 11:14 PM
To: Seymour, Janet I - WHS
Subject: PastPerfect news: April 2009
[http://www.museumsoftware.com/graphics/pagebanner_reg.gif]<http://www.muse
umsoftware.com/index.shtml>
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1. What's New! PastPerfect 4.0 Training CDs
PastPerfect 4.0 Training CDs are an affordable and convenient way to learn
PastPerfect, whether you are new to the software or just need a refresher.
They are a great way to learn at your own pace, anywhere you want. Plus, as
new volunteers and staff join your organization, you will have a ready and
consistent teaching tool at your fingertips.
Each CD includes basic catalog navigation information as well as detailed i
nstructions for step-by-step operation of the software. There are hints to
make data entry faster, easier and more consistent and suggestions for keep
ing your data safe. Each Training CD is priced at $39 and includes FREE shi
pping via US Mail.
"Cataloging Your Collection with PastPerfect 4.0," our first CD, is a best
seller! It reviews processing collections from the moment a "man walks in w
ith a box." Lessons include basic and advanced cataloging, attaching digita
l images/multi-media files to records, and research methods.
Our second CD in the series, "Managing Contacts, Donations, and Membership
with PastPerfect 4.0" is now available. It starts with basic setup and addi
ng contacts. It will also teach you how to automate the repetitive tasks as
sociated with good contacts management. Lessons include adding dues payment
s, receiving donations, writing thank you letters, and recording volunteer
hours. The "Lists and Labels" section shows you how to effectively use buil
t-in lists and create your own lists using filter statements. "Managing Con
tacts" helps you discover the power of an efficient contacts management sys
tem that comes with your comprehensive and easy-to-use collections manageme
nt software.
Coming soon on April 30, 2009! Our third CD in the series, "Researching and
Reporting with PastPerfect 4.0," has everything you need to know about Pas
tPerfect's researching and reporting components. The lessons begin with bas
ic researching, then work into customizing reports, and demonstrating how t
o create your own Report Maker reports. This CD has tools to help you take
advantage of your PastPerfect data whether you are focused on Membership, F
undraising, Collections, Exhibits or anything cataloged in PastPerfect.
Training CDs are available in the "Special Offer!" section at our online st
ore. Please visit our website (http://museumsoftware.com/training.shtml) fo
r more information or to place your order. Or please feel free to call us t
oll free with questions 1-800-562-6080.
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2. Upcoming Training Sessions
PastPerfect Software offers opportunities to learn from live instructors th
rough regional and online classes.
REGIONAL CLASS: Buffalo, NY - April 14-16
Hosted by the Buffalo Museum of Science April 14 and April 15 classes
are currently SOLD OUT.
April 14-Cataloging Collections; April 15-Managing Collections; April 16-Ma
naging Membership and Fundraising Activities
ONLINE CLASS: April 21-23 "Cataloging Your Collection with PastPerfect 4.0"
12:30-3:00 PM EST
Hosted by PastPerfect Software, this online class covers the basics of coll
ection management using PastPerfect 4.0 and includes a FREE copy of our new
training CD, "Cataloging Your Collection with PastPerfect 4.0."
REGIONAL CLASS: Vancouver, WA - June 16-18
Hosted by the Clark County Historical Museum at the Washington State Univer
sity-Vancouver campus
June 16-Cataloging Collections; June 17-Managing Collections; June 18-Manag
ing Membership and Fundraising Activities
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3. We'll see you at the conference!
AAM Museum Expo 2009, Philadelphia, PA - May 1-3
We hope to see you at booth #315!
AASLH Annual Meeting Exhibit Hall, Indianapolis, IN, August 27-28
Our staff, Brian Gomez and Jennifer Whitfield, are also part of a panel ses
sion, "Building a Worldwide Audience for Your Collection," which will featu
re the PastPerfect-Online and Virtual Exhibit products. See you at AASLH!
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4. Tech Tip - How do I use the Lexicon when cataloging CDs, DVDs, videotape
s, and Blu-ray discs?
Although CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs are not included in the current versio
n of Chenhall's Nomenclature (and therefore not in PastPerfect's Lexicon),
you can add these terms as object names and assign them to an appropriate C
ategory and Sub-Category. We suggest using the following object names to co
nform to the Nomenclature's system of term that begins with a noun, followe
d by an adjective descriptor.
Common Name Lexicon Object Name
CD Disc, Compact
DVD Disc, Digital Video
Blu-ray disc Disc, Blu-ray
Since CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs can be used for audio, video, or data sto
rage, we suggest adding these names in the Lexicon under "Category 6: T&E f
or Communication," and under the sub-category "Other T&E for Communication.
" Then as you catalog these items, you can use the more common names in the
Description and other fields. Researchers will still be able to find your
"DVDs" by keyword searches, and searches by title, creator, subject, etc.
Videotapes are magnetic tapes, just like compact cassettes (aka audio casse
ttes) and magnetic tape for data storage. Since videotapes store images and
sounds, we suggest that you add the object name "Tape, Magnetic" to the su
b-category "Other T&E for Communication" in the category "T&E for Communica
tion." The existing "Tape, Magnetic" object name is in the sub-category "Da
ta Processing T&E."
Here are the steps to add object names:
1. On the Main Menu of PastPerfect, select the Setup Menu, then click the "
Lexicon" button.
2. Under Main Category, click on “6: T&E for Communication.” Then under
"Associated Sub-Categories," click on “Other T&E for Communication.”
3. Click the “Add Object” button at the top right of the screen. In the
box to add a new item, type the suggested object name such as “Disc, Dig
ital Video." Please click the "OK" button.
4. Once you have added the desired terms, exit from the Lexicon screen. Whe
n you enter new catalog records, you will now be able to enter or select th
ese terms from the Lexicon, and they will appear with the appropriate Categ
ory and Sub-Category.
If you have questions, please call our support office at 1-800-562-6080, an
d we will be happy to assist you.
________________________________
5. Contact Information
Address: 300 North Pottstown Pike, Suite 200, Exton, PA 19341
Website: www.MuseumSoftware.com<http://www.museumsoftware.com>
Sales & Product Information: 1-800-562-6080 or sales@museumsoftware.com<mai
lto:sales@museumsoftware.com>
Support: 1-800-562-6080 or support@museumsoftware.com<mailto:<mailto:support@museum
software.com>
Training: 1-800-562-6080 or training@museumsoftware.com<mailto:<mailto:training@mus
eumsoftware.com>
Data Conversions: 1-800-562-6080 or conversions@museumsoftware.com<mailto:c
onversions@museumsoftware.com>
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