What to expect? This release’s main focus is on the server and the web client. The reason is simple: I use them a lot myself. They were and still are promising, just waiting to be expanded upon!
Note that Data Crow is still very much a standalone application. The full client will continue to be supported and developed. But running the server at home gives you access to a powerful web application, allowing you to manage your collection from your phone, tablet or laptop. Running it on a hosted machine gives you remote access (you need a tiny server, with just 1024 MB’s of memory).
Or just use the Data Crow Reader app, of course.
Sorry, I’ll stop rambling. What’s in this release that isn’t out there yet?
- Major security improvements for the server: TLS support (out of the box) for the application server (optional), 2FA for the web and full clients (optional), and improved password requirements (configurable by the administrator). Security vulnerabilities have been fixed and the server has been hardened.
- The web version gains a whole bunch of features from the full client: online search, settings management, backup controls, advanced find, module wizards and more. This is actually the biggest part of version 5.2.
- Hot updates to the server for module changes initiated by you or your users (from either the full or web client).
- Better backup management for the server: scheduled backups (during which the application enters maintenance mode), the ability to download backups from the server, and more.
- The Open Library online search has been improved.
- The performance of the Swing/full application has been improved (particularly the card overview).
- Loan management has been expanded. Notes can now be added, and loan information also appears on the contact person’s record.
- Connection issues with the sync service and the Data Crow Reader app have been resolved (allegedly). Error handling has been improved and the 503 error has been resolved.
There’s more. The changelog is quite long, but this is the gist of it.
Please keep supporting and enjoying Data Crow.
All the best,
Robert
PS: I developed this application from the ground up (since 2001, mind you!). Blood, sweat and the occasional tear. Now, with AI, all this work could, if I’m not careful, become obsolete. Soon. Very soon. Rather than bowing down, I’m taking a stand. And that is to make the best darn version of Data Crow yet (if not this one, then the next).
I know that anyone, if not now then certainly in the near future, will be able to build something with a hollow request like “hey, gimme an app that does this”.
My reasoning? Why build it if it’s already out there, free and trusted to be good? Having been around for this long just has to count for something.
If not, well, at least I’ll enjoy it. I hope you will too!