I upgraded to EN X3. I liked the “group set” feature which allows to organize groups by collapsible/expandable structure. I also liked the section format feature, which will be useful for thesis/book writers. It seems also stable with Vista 64 system, although it is not yet 64bit native. “Paste special” appears to be fixed. Enhancement for footnote formating is not really implemented. Find duplicate and removal of the duplicates is now easy.
So far with Win XP and Word 2003, it’s working fast and stable. In general, I liked this version better than X2.
I agree for the most part. For instance, I really like the new duplicate checker.
I just wish there was a more straightforward online search feature. The integrated online search still downloads all references it finds directly into the library, instead of allowing the user to select which references he/she wants by dragging them into his/her library. The only methods I’ve found to do this are to use the online search mode in a temporary library and drag references into the real library, or use the online search mode and go back to the local library mode, dragging the references from the trash. Both alternatives require extra (and in my opinion, unnecessary) hassle, especially if you don’t have a widescreen monitor.
I think this is my only remaining gripe. I find Endnote pretty much suits my needs in every other way.
The EndNote “Online Mode” is a built-in temporary library that allows you to search, select a desired subset of results, and copy these to your local EndNote library - all from within the same integrated window. See the attached annotated screen shot.
Thanks for the suggestions. These approaches do appear to be more user friendly for those without widescreen monitors. I guess, I would still find it preferable:
a) To have the ability to directly drag references from the right hand side of the screen to groups in the left hand side without switching modes
or
b) To use the “Copy to” feature specified by Jason to copy references in online mode directly to groups in the local library (without creating duplicates when copying to multiple groups)
You probably remember the heated debates about the Online integrated mode introduced in X2 (see X2 first impression thread). The new feature received harsh criticisms because long time users were confused when all the hits by online search were added automatically to the local library, and made tons of duplicates. And the method to eliminate duplicates was also changed, which also became a target of criticism. In response to these complaints, TR added “local” and “online” modes later with the update patch. Before X2, online search opened up temporary window, and user had a freedom to copy or not to local library, and I guess that’s exaclty what you want.
It seems from the “Endnote error” thread you posted, you are using two libraries, opened on the right and left, and both of them are “Online integrated” mode. When you use “Online integrated” mode for both, then it’s very confusing.
I believe what you want to do can be accomplished if you use one of them in “Online” mode, and another in “Local mode”, then select & drag from online mode library to local mode library. At least that’s my method right now to emulate the method prior to X1, and it’s working fine in my Win XP Pro OS. I dedicate one library (called “online trash” library) for this purpose. But, one probleme is, whenever I open the online trash library, it opens as “Online integrated” or “Local” mode, even I closed it with “online” mode. So, I have to switch the mode to “online” every time I use it.
Okay, I got your point. Things are changed for “improvent”, but sometimes make it more complicated or cumbersome. Typical example is the Vista’s “Continue” “Approve” thing. I have to authorize everything I do even I am the master of this PC. I wish there is a “grant master” log in, which allows me to skip all these security questions.
I really like the idea of being able to copy directly to a group in the library. For now, the best you can do is to copy to the library and then select the newly populated "Copied References “group” and drag those to the group.
I really like the idea of being able to copy directly to a group in the library. For now, the best you can do is to copy to the library and then select the newly populated "Copied References “group” and drag those to the group.
Thanks for the suggestions. These approaches do appear to be more user friendly for those without widescreen monitors. I guess, I would still find it preferable:
a) To have the ability to directly drag references from the right hand side of the screen to groups in the left hand side without switching modes
or
b) To use the “Copy to” feature specified by Jason to copy references in online mode directly to groups in the local library (without creating duplicates when copying to multiple groups)
Thanks for the suggestion. I tried this method, but unfortunately it doesn’t suit my needs. It would be great if I could search for a new reference, copy the reference to the library, search for another reference, copy this one to the library as well, and then organize the references in the “copied” group after I’m done searching for all the articles I need. Unfortunately, every time references are copied into the library, they overwrite the references already in the “copied” group, as opposed to appending/adding to the references already in this group.
You can add either “Record Number” or “added to Library” to your Library display and sort on that (click twice to reverse sort) or just chose to sort the library (at least in X3 from Tools>sort library) by either of those two fields. I prefer the Record number option, since I use that for other things. Then just pick the most recent records and drag them over.
The other option I found was to do an online search, delete all unwanted references while searching, and then copy all of the “Online References” at the end into my library.
I’m really disappointed of ENX3 ! There is no big changes compared with X2 !
While browsing the suggestions posted elsewhere on these pages, there are many very useful suggested improvments but they were not taken in account in the new version !
For exemple, I don’t know why “Thombsons” still insist not to include a personal evaluation system (i,e. staring) into Endnote ! Is this something complicated ?
At least, they can do it customizable, so those who want to use it, they can !
I don’t think star rating articles is useful for me (no offense, just my opinion). I have custom fields that tell about importance/uniquness about the article, like “good review” “must read ASAP” “good for next journal club” “interesting” “good method” “read at leisure” etc etc, but simple star numbers don’t tell me about the importance or uniqueness of each article.
This what exactly star rating does ! Instead of writing all these words, just select, one , two, …or 5 stars and you get it !
In addition, when you use a description rating, you don’t see it unless you select the reference, while star rating allow to have an overall of patch of references in one look ! Just open Endnote and you will see your stars and find easily what you rated, important, more important and most important to be read !
Well, I don’t need to type all words, because they are all in my custom term list. When I type m, EN automatically type “must read ASAP” for me. When I type n, it automatically shows “next journal club”. So, instead of choosing number of stars from drop down menu, and have such colum multiple of them, I like single field take care all of these.
Now, what is really convenient for me is to have an ability to edit field data without opening each reference. Then, I can click on the reference and field in the list window, and directly edit the contents, like typing just “m” automatically changing to “must read ASAP”. It is something like entering (recurring) data into each cell in Excel.
Right now, EN has multi-line data in each field, so accomplishing that change is difficult. But I think Thomson may be workind toward such direction.
