[sims] Bulk create Aspects in SIMS

[databird]

Hi folks,

 

I have found several historic threads on this topic, but I guess they are out of date by now. I have to set up 100s of Aspects for our new AWL scheme (doesn't resemble anything like the off the shelf ones before you ask.....), and I had hoped I could create one set of Aspects for one subject, export them and clone and replace in an XML editor to then reimport them for the 20 odd subjects, but having exported them, I am a bit baffled by the id numbers, can I create my own? Is the whole idea barking mad? I saw that someone had created a useful tool for this very job, but that was 5 years ago and I wondered if anyone had anything similar they are willing to share...............

 

Many Thanks

 

Databird

[Banjo]

Changing Aspect IDs is a dangerous game. We have had data loss in schools in the past from sending out templates that were created across two different Watersedge DBs. The updated templates once imported would substitute another aspect into the template and mix the results between the two aspects. Using ResultSets might reduce the burden of creating so many aspects.

[vikpaw]

Agree with the above. There was a method, and it will still work I think, but sometimes, depending on how many aspects you need per subject, you might as well just brute force it. It will take you longer to iron out the process of doing it 'quickly' without corruption.

[RootsSchImp]

I agree with @vikpaw - you can 'program' yourself to speed this up by creating all the aspects by type rather than by subject. That means typing the subject code, pasting the aspect identifier. Ctrl-S works for saving and that means you can leave the cursor over 'clone' for quickly moving on to the next one.

 

I sympathise as personally I think AwL tracking that requires hundreds of data entry points is unworkable and within a couple of years your SLT will be telling you to scrap the whole lot and do something else, but what you gonna do?

[databird]

Thanks for the tips folks. I'm just going to have to suck it up and get on with it. I have drawn up a spreadsheet to keep tabs on it, and am shortcut key happy, so with any luck, I might get finished before term starts in September ) It's hard enough trying to work out what they really want from some woolly high level requirements, never mind trying to build it all from scratch. As you say, it'll probably all be in the bin by the end of next year, but hey, it pays the bills.

 

Cheers

 

Databird