Q: Will you be providing a reply to the changes we requested of the functional specification?

A: The changes you requested of the functional specs were all implemented in the overall design document. There was no reply made as we had assumed we were to complete all changes regardless, and provide notification if for some reason we couldn't. For this we apologize.

Q: When will modified screen shots be available?

A: They will be available with the detailed design document.

Q: Will there be a glossary of terms? Technical documents are not our speciality.

A: A glossary of terms will be available, as well as a data dictionary which will formally describe many of the important terms related to the system's implementation.

Q: How are keywords delimited? This will be important to the clerks.

A: Each keyword in the subject string will be separated by a semicolon.

Q: Which "three" of Book, CD, CD-ROM, Film, Laserdisk and Journal will be included in the pull-down menu? Since all six of these media types are currently used in our library, it is essential for them all to be listed as menu options.

A: That was a typo. The number of menu items allowed can vary and will not be limited to 3. It should have read: "Only one of these choices can be selected."

Q: Title, Author, Publisher, and Category should be case-sensitive.

A: For searching purposes, it would be a hindrance to make these categories case sensitive. It will not make a difference in functionality from your point of view, so we recommend that this be left as it is.

Q: We will need verification from the system to tell us when transactions are OK.

A: A dialog box will appear verifying what has taken place.

Q: Will there be range checking on decimal values?

A: Yes there will be.

Q: Would it be possible for the system to check a field immediately after it is entered for errors? If a large list of errors is generated after pressing 'OK', it would be overwhelming for the user to remember each and every one.

A: If there are many errors during the entering of data, it is possible to bring up a list of them all.

Q: How are hardware errors dealt with? What does the user see?

A: The system will print a message to the user saying that a hardwware error occurred, the system will shut down/re-started, and that any unsaved information will be lost.

Q: If circulation status refers specifically to the status of a book copy, how is this useful in a customer search? We would like librarians to be able to search for customers with overdue books, but they shouldn't have to provide book copy information to do so.

A: The librarians will need to provide *only* the circulation status, but not all book copy information. The system will give the librarian a list of customers with the circulation status provided. For example, if the librarian entered an "overdue" status, it will give a list of customers with overdue books.

(This question was in reference to renewing a book)
Q: What type of message is generated if the book is on hold? Our current procedures do not allow held books to be renewed. The customer with the hold has priority.

A: The message would be "This book is on hold, can not be renewed". The book's circulation status will not be changed.

Q: Customers with books on hold are notified once their request has been returned to the library. Upon notification, customers are given three days to pick up held books. Failing to pick up holds within this time period results in an automatic three day overdue fine. How is this event being handled?

A: When the notification is send to the customer, a timer will be set up. After three days, the time out, the book's circulation will be changed to "available, and the book will be deleted from the on hold list.

(This question was in reference to the ERD)
Q: Does this diagram allow books to be on loan to one customer and on hold for another simultaneously? It is not evident from the erd that this requirement can be satisfied.

A: The ERD shows that there are two relationships between book copy and customer: one called "on hold for", and another called "on loan by". There is no mention that they *cannot* be on hold and on loan by two different people. In short, the answer to your question is 'Yes'.