I am running a large (I think) library of about 4000 references with about 2000 attached PDF’s. I have noticed as the library has grown that it has slowed down enough that it is painful to run network version. But many users need to do it, I don’t like saying copy it local and then run from there. Since there are monthly updates and you can’t merge libraries it is even worse.
Does anyone know if the number of PDF’s makes a big difference in speed? It doesn’t seem like it should matter for just navigating the library. Or is it just number of references over a network that makes it bad anyway?
Windows EndnoteX4.0.2 - with >5000 records, and > 1000 records with PDF (and many have supplemental figures and other additional PDFs) and I don’t see a significant problem with accessing the library, searching, opening the PDFs, etc. On a Windows XP or 2007 machine.
When do you see performance issues? In my experience, performance issues are usually related to trying to load all the output styles (or way too many), filters or connection files rather than a selected set of the ones you really need and use. I tend to start really small and add individual styles (or filters or connections) when I need them. I have about 160 styles and 10 connections and 4 filters that are “loaded” in the default content file folders and another 10-20 styles in my personal folder location (defined in preferences). Our default content files are shared by our Institute’s users on a network drive, and our MSI installation is set up to point to that shared drive with the inclusion of the command msiexec.exe /I ENX4Inst.msi CFDIR=< path_to_content_folders>. In our experience you should not include the quotes indicated in the help file.
Are you running your library over a network? I am fine if I work on a locally copied version of my library, but running network version it is about 10x slower. I have users where that is about the only way to access and it is really painful.
Sorry, apparently didn’t read the 2nd half of message stating you are on network.
I see slowness in all aspects of program. Too slow to even scroll, always have to wait for program to respond to last mouse click 3 seconds ago.
Loading seems a little slow, but that is where I would think that the number of styles would make a difference. The only thing I can think of might be a large number of smart groups? But still only about 20 or so.
I would – also compare the speed with a copy on your harddrive. –
FYI We have the most phenomenal IT group here at my place of work. – on occasion the network has some minor access problems, but they usually note them before we even have a chance to complain. When I access our network drives from home (which we don’t do by VPN anymore, we have an alternative web portal with an option to link directly- don’t know if it is VPN or something else) there was a significant erosion of performance. Hence I would compress the library and move it the home computer and avoid updating the library at home, and thus avoid having to move it back later.
I tried getting rid of most of my styles (I only use about 5-10) and performance has really improved. I am going to check VPN tonight. But thanks very much for the tip!!
I did see you mention that before but I was thinking “maybe for startup, but how could that affect other actions?”. I guess testing is always the best medicine
Just an FYI, I did some more testing with the deleting extra styles. Didn’t find that it made much difference. It seems what I hadn’t noticed before is that if the big library is open for about 3-5 min (depending on speed of PC/laptop, I think) then performance picks up significantly. I guess I was used to opening/closing libraries quickly so I didn’t notice the performance increase.
Perhaps the library is looking to link the PDF’s with the references for each start up? Just a wild guess