Support: DialogLink : FAQs

DialogLink 5 Frequently Asked Questions

Installation

1. Where can I find the software I need to download DialogLink 5?
2. Do I have to download the .NET 1.1 Framework to use DialogLink 5?
3. Do I need to re-install the .NET 1.1 Framework if I already installed it for DialogLink 4.0?
4. Can I run both DialogLink 3.0 and DialogLink 5, or will installing DialogLink 5 overwrite my DialogLink 3.0 setup?
5. Should I continue to use DialogLink 4.0, along with DialogLink 5?
6. Do I have to uninstall DialogLink 4.0 to install DialogLink 5?
7. What if I have connection or firewall issues?
8. Why do I have to register DialogLink 5?

General Searching

9. I have a number of search scripts I have created. Can I use those with DialogLink 5?
10. I notice DialogLink 5 does not have a CAPTURE TO DISK feature. How can I save my search transcripts for later review?
11. With the VISUAL EXPAND (VE) command, the SELECT statement is much longer. Does this create a problem with the 256-character line limit?
12. I use the classic EXPAND (E) command so I can browse an entire indexed field. Can I still use E in DialogLink 5?
13. Does VISUAL EXPAND (VE) work in DialogLink 3.0, DialogWeb or DialogClassic Web?
14. I use the classic RANK command so I can browse an entire indexed field. Can I still use RANK in DialogLink 4.0?
15. How are the output commands PICK, XML, TEXT and HTML billed?
16. Can I view and edit the Alerts & Saved Searches I set up in DialogLink 3.0, DialogWeb and DialogClassic Web?
17. Can I view and edit the Alerts & Saved Searches I set up in DialogLink 5 in these other products?

eLinks

18. I want to access my electronic journals through DialogLink 5. How can I get help with my eLinks setup?

DialogLink 5 Reports

19. How can I get help with the DialogLink reports?
20. Is any training available on DialogLink reports?
21. What if Dialog does not offer a template that meets my reporting needs?
22. How can I add an additional database to one of Dialog's templates?
23. Can I edit my DialogLink report after it has been created?
24. Can I edit the cover page of the DialogLink Word reports, and use my company's graphics?

Installation

1. Where can I find the software I need to download DialogLink 5?
   A landing page, offering information about DialogLink 5, specific installation instructions and downloadable software, is posted to support.dialog.com/downloads/dialoglink.
   
   
2. Do I have to download the .NET 1.1 Framework to use DialogLink 5?
   DialogLink 5 requires that you have installed on your computer the .NET 1.1. The .NET 1.1 Framework enables DialogLink 5 to offer linking, both to external content such as Dialog eLinks and to content within Dialog databases. See the .NET Frequently Asked Questions.
   
   
3. Do I need to re-install the .NET 1.1 Framework if I already installed it for DialogLink 4.0?
   No. As long as you have .NET 1.1 installed on your computer, you need not reinstall it.
   
   
4. Can I run both DialogLink 3.0 and DialogLink 5, or will installing DialogLink 5 overwrite my DialogLink 3.0 setup?
   DialogLink 5 is a completely different install from DialogLink 3.0. Installing DialogLink 5 will not interfere in any way with a DialogLink 3.0 setup and both versions can be run concurrently. DialogLink 5 will not share any DialogLink 3.0 setup configuration, as many of the setup parameters are different. On install, DialogLink 5 should be configured as desired and then can be run alongside DialogLink 3.0.
   
   
5. Should I continue to use DialogLink 4.0, along with DialogLink 5?
   No. DialogLink 5 is the upgrade to DialogLink 4.0. It has all the features of DialogLink 4.0, plus enhancements and new features. DialogLink 5 will assume the settings you created in DialogLink 4.0, and allow you to access any templates you had created and any content you had downloaded.
   
   
6. Do I have to uninstall DialogLink 4.0 to install DialogLink 5?
   No. DialogLink 5 is the upgrade to DialogLink 4.0. It has all the features of DialogLink 4.0, plus enhancements and new features. You do not have to uninstall DialogLink 4.0 to install and run DialogLink 5. If you wish to remove the DialogLink 4.0 listing in your Windows Start menu, however, you may uninstall DialogLink 4.0.
   
   
7. What if I have connection or firewall issues?
   DialogLink 5 offers a Configuration menu which includes proxy server settings. If you need assistance getting connected, please contact Dialog's Knowledge Center and work with a technical support specialist.
   
   
8. Why do I have to register DialogLink 5?
   DialogLink 5 has a built-in registration form that must be completed to obtain a registration key, which is necessary for the software to work. DialogLink 5 software remains freely available; however, Dialog may need to reach users of the product if there is important information to communicate. Please be aware that Dialog never sells or shares your e-mail address. See our privacy policy.
   
   

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General Searching

9. I have a number of search scripts I have created. Can I use those with DialogLink 5?
   Yes. In DialogLink 5, you can still load and execute searches and use the same scripts as in DialogLink 3.0. Note that this excludes any commands in the script that do not work in DialogLink 5. Example: FIND command.
   
   
10. I notice DialogLink 5 does not have a CAPTURE TO DISK feature. How can I save my search transcripts for later review?
    DialogLink 5 automatically saves your entire search session in a daily log file. Log files are kept indefinitely, until you choose to delete them, and may be viewed under:
    
    C:\Documents and Settings\yourname\My Documents\Dialog\Link\Logs

    You also may use the new CAPTURE command, which creates a separate file. The log file will still have a record of your entire search session, but the CAPTURE file can be used as a subset pertaining to a particular project, for instance.
    
    

11. With the VISUAL EXPAND (VE) command, the SELECT statement is much longer. Does this create a problem with the 256-character line limit?
    No. In DialogLink 5, a 2,000 character line limit is provided. This accommodates searches created with the VE command.
    
    
12. I use the classic EXPAND (E) command so I can browse an entire indexed field. Can I still use E in DialogLink 5?
    Yes. Both EXPAND and VISUAL EXPAND work in DialogLink 5.
    
    
13. Does VISUAL EXPAND (VE) work in DialogLink 3.0, DialogWeb or DialogClassic Web?
    No. VISUAL EXPAND is only available in DialogLink 5. The ability to run this command is part of the software application itself, and thus is not available on other platforms.
    
    
14. I use the classic RANK command so I can browse an entire indexed field. Can I still use RANK in DialogLink 4.0?
    Yes. Both RANK and VISUAL RANK work in DialogLink 4.0. However, only VISUAL RANK allows you to save your results as an HTML or Excel document, in addition to placing your results in the retrieve buffer.
    
    
15. How are the output commands PICK, XML, TEXT and HTML billed?
    The PICK, XML, TEXT and HTML commands are special expressions of the TYPE command, and billed at the same rate as TYPE on the corresponding Bluesheet. Customer invoices show TYPE, PICK, XML, TEXT and HTML commands as TYPE for invoicing purposes.
    
    
16. Can I view and edit the Alerts & Saved Searches I set up in DialogLink 3.0, DialogWeb and DialogClassic Web?
    Yes. DialogLink 5 accesses all of your Alerts and Saved Searches set up in DialogLink 3.0, DialogWeb, and DialogClassic Web. As with DialogLink 3.0, DialogLink 5 does not provide access to DialogSelect Alerts or to Table of Contents Alerts.
    
    
17. Can I view and edit the Alerts & Saved Searches I set up in DialogLink 5 in these other products?
    Alerts and Saved Searches will continue to be saved to the Dialog classic mainframe and will, therefore, be available in DialogLink 3.0, DialogWeb and DialogClassic Web.
    
    

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eLinks

18. I want to access my electronic journals through DialogLink 5. How can I get help with my eLinks setup?
    Contact the Dialog Knowledge Center for advice on managing your electronic journals with Dialog's eLinks service. You may also refer to the Dialog eLinks documentation.

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DialogLink 5 Reports

19. How can I get help with the DialogLink reports?
    You may attend a training session offered by Dialog's training consultants. There is a special session on creating reports and making custom templates. For additional assistance, contact your sales representative or the Dialog Knowledge Center.
    
    
20. Is any training available on DialogLink reports?
    Yes. Dialog provides a recorded training class, Introduction to Dialog featuring DialogLink, which you can take at any time. In addition, the Fast Start to DialogLink will familiarize you with the basics of DialogLink 5. See support.dialog.com/dialoglink/ for additional product support, or contact your sales representative.
    
    
21. What if Dialog does not offer a template that meets my reporting needs?
    Dialog's subject matter experts have created a number of report templates to address the most common file groupings searched. The development of these report templates continues. If you do not see a report that fully meets your needs, please contact your sales representative to register your template suggestion.
    
    
22. How can I add an additional database to one of Dialog's templates?
    Most of Dialog's report templates offer you the ability to edit them and add or remove databases and indexed fields from your reports. To edit a template, use an XML file containing the content set you wish to add and then "edit template". You can then add the database into an existing template.
    
    
23. Can I edit my DialogLink report after it has been created?
    Yes. DialogLink reports result in either a Word or Excel formatted document, which may be edited like any other Word or Excel document. In Word documents, the preferred editing sequence is to delete a duplicate entry from the text, and then go to the table of contents, right-click on it, and select "update fields". Word does not remove text from the body of the document if you attempt to remove a title from the table of contents as your first step.
    
    
24. Can I edit the cover page of the DialogLink Word reports, and use my company's graphics?
    Yes. You can edit the report.dot file, a Word template file, found under
    C:\Program Files\Dialog\Link5\Current

    You can edit this file to insert your organization's logo, change the default font, add your library's branding, start each new article on a new page and change other document characteristics.

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