How to Submit an Enhancement

Enhancement requests can be submitted directly to the author at reeset@gmail.com, and I will be happy to respond to the request.  When I receive a request, I consider the following:

  • Is this a one off request?  Generally, I only add functionality to MarcEdit that benefits large portions of the community, and handle one off requests via the plugin framework.
  • Does the request violate the 3 development rules that govern MarcEdit develop?
  • Is the request technically feasible?

When making a request, information is the most important part of the request.  When I develop new features, I create use-cases, that include example inputs and outcomes.  It is very beneficial if you can provide such a story — as it allows me to better understand the request or problem.  Without this information, I have to try an interpret the intent, which can lead to incomplete features and me misunderstanding a request and dropping it because it appears to violate one of the core develop rules in the application.

MarcEdit Development Rules

I follow three principle rules when developing MarcEdit.  These rules have been in place since I started making the application available in 2001, and continue to guide the development of new and innovative features.  These rules are:

MarcEdit is a real-world metadata tool
* The Tool is designed to provide workflows for data problems currently facing libraries right now

MarcEdit is MARC Agnostic
* Too many metadata tools are anglo-centric; MarcEdit has been designed to work within the very heterogeneous metadata environment that we find ourselves today, which includes:
* Support for MARC generally, rather than a particular flavor (unless specifically noted)
* Near universal characterset support (because the world is bigger than MARC8 and UTF8)
* Supports a wide range of Library metadata standards beyond MARC

MarcEdit is one part of the larger library metadata tooling environment
* So integrations with OCLC, ILSs (when possible), OpenRefine are important

If you have specific questions related to these rules, a specific enhancement request, or MarcEdit in general, please feel free to contact me directly at reeset@gmail.com or via the listserv at: https://listserv.gmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=marcedit-l