Update Connexion client

Improvements

Generic GDI error message displayed when search results included a record that contained more than 32,764 characters in a field

When search results included a record that contained more than 32,764 characters in a field, a generic GDI error message would display. Now, the data that displays from the field will be truncated in the search results and you will no longer see the error message appear in your search results. 

RDA Toolkit direct field link resolving to login screen

When the RDA Toolkit field help link was used within the bibliographic record editor, the link would resolve to the main RDA Toolkit login screen instead of directly to the specific field. Now, the field help link will resolve directly to the specific field help documentation on the Original RDA Toolkit site. 

Toolbars moving after closing and reopening the client 

Some users reported an issue with toolbars moving after closing and opening Connexion client. Now, the toolbars should not move after you have reopened the client.

When displaying a bibliographic record using a new user profile the record window was not maximized in the client window 

The first bibliographic record displayed using a new user profile appeared as a tiny blue bar in the upper left part of the work area in the client window. Now, the bibliographic record window will appear maximized in the client window. 

Closing the control headings window after clicking 'Modify Heading' inserted a controlled heading

When clicking 'Modify Heading' in the control headings window and then clicking the X to close the window, the heading was inserted into the bibliographic record instead of the window closing. Now, clicking the X to close the control headings window will close the window. 

MARCXML record export from the online save file generated an error

An error message would display if a user was configured to export records in MARCXML when attempting to export a single record from the online save file. Now, the error message will no longer appear when exporting a single record from the online save file. 

An error message appears when using the 'Edit a dialog box' option in the Macro Editor and Debugger

An unable to load dialog editor error message appears when using the 'Edit a dialog box' option in the Macro Editor and Debugger. Now, the error message will no longer appear when clicking 'Edit a dialog box'. This issue appears in the 3.0 but not 2.63 version of Connexion client.

Characters displaying as a rectangle instead of the actual character

A display issue with certain characters displaying as a rectangle instead of the character for certain languages such as Japanese and Burmese along with symbols such as the musical flat. This issue appears in 3.0.

Macro slowness and freezing  

Some users have reported issues when working with macros that use dialog screens that have caused macros to run slow or crash. Restarting Connexion client may help with macro slowness.   

Running multiple instances of Connexion is not supported 

We are aware that in the past, some Connexion client users opened more than one instance of Connexion client to support their workflows. In our Windows 10, 64-bit environment, this is no longer supported. Going forward, running multiple instances of Connexion client is not possible without utilizing multiple virtual machines (VMs).   

Client 3.1 not compatible with unsupported version of Microsoft Office 

Connexion client 3.1 is not compatible with versions of Microsoft Office that are no longer supported by Microsoft. If you are using an older, 32-bit version of Microsoft Office that is out of support, we suggest that you either upgrade your Microsoft Office to a newer, supported version; or, that you do not upgrade to Connexion client 3.1, but instead continue to use version 2.63. 

Help icon in the Connexion macro editor is no longer supported 

In the Connexion macro editor and debugger, there is a question mark icon that would previously take users to macro specific help. This icon utilized a feature that is no longer supported by Microsoft.  Due to the nature of the language used to code the macro editor, we are unable to remove this icon from the user interface. There are two additional options for getting to the macro help: 

1. Click on the Help menu above the toolbar, and then click Macro Help 
2. Press the F1 key on your keyboard – this will open a window to Macro Help, and it will also open a Microsoft error page that we are unable to change, but can be ignored. 

Both options will take you to the OCLC Macro support site. 

Cannot maximize/restore (redisplay) Connexion client from a minimized position in the task bar

When you minimize the Connexion client, it becomes an icon in the task bar on your desktop, and you should be able to maximize/restore (redisplay) it by clicking the icon. If you are unable to maximize the client from the task bar icon, use one of the following workarounds.

Click the Connexion client icon in the task bar, and then press and hold the Windows key () on your keyboard while you click the <Up arrow> key or use Shift+Ctrl and right-click on the icon, then click Restore. 

Caution: May need to uninstall and reinstall the Cataloging Label Program

Users may need to uninstall and reinstall the Cataloging Label Program when upgrading to Connexion client 3.1 if they are unable to successfully create or print labels using the Cataloging Label Program. 

A full list of known issues including issues reported in Connexion client 2.63, 3.0 and 3.1 are available on the Connexion client known issues page.

Introduction

During the Connexion client 3.0 project, OCLC stabilized and refreshed the Connexion client technology by:

• Modernizing the build, compiler and distribution process​
• Upgrading components to 64-bit (as much as possible)​
• Resolving security issues​
• Repairing high priority bugs and UI changes
• Decommissioning obsolete features
• Collecting usage metrics to inform future changes​
• Moving all Help to OCLC website​
• Better display of non-Latin scripts
• Allow you to run the client or macros on your PC without being an Admin.
   Note: You do need to be an Admin to install Connexion client 3.0.

Improvements 

Admin to run Connexion client is no longer required 

Previously, a change to the registry was needed to set the client run permissions down to user access. This was required for the use of macros, access to network drives and network printers, and access to third party application such as Macro Express.   

This registry change is no longer needed, and users can now run as a standard user without encountering the above issues. 

False “Unidentified publisher” system warning in Windows 7, 8/8.1 and Windows 10 upon startup of client 

Previously, if you use version 2.63 of the Connexion client in Windows 7, 8/8.1, or Windows 10, you receive a Windows User Account Control (UAC) system warning each time you start the client.  

A new certificate has been used with version 3.0 which has eliminated the “unidentified publisher” system warning.  

Macros now working in users groups 

Previously, anything related to macros would cause severe errors when running the client in the users group. This has been resolved. 

Client will now halt a batch session for Update Holdings or Delete Holdings if the session is inadvertently terminated 

Previously, if a batch session was terminated, the request to the Connexion host resulted in an HTTP 503 error (Service unavailable) being returned to the client because the session no longer existed. The client continued sending the remainder of the commands in the batch but shouldn't. This resulted in thousands of 503 errors at times. 

This issue has been resolved for batch sessions that Update Holdings or Delete holdings. In a future release, we will work on other batch processes (Submit for Review, Replace Record, etc.) 

Security issues due to HKey_Local_Machine\OCLC resolved 

Windows registry issues have been resolved as part of the effort to remove the requirement to be Admin to run Connexion client.