anybody using Scalar?

[Allan Berry]

Hi Chicago Code4Lib,

At the UIC Library we have a new Scalar instance, for digital exhibits, primarily created by our Special Collections & University Archives department.

We chose Scalar despite knowing it's not well maintained software; last I heard it had one part-time developer employed by USC.  Documentation is poor, and updates are rare.  But there's not much else in the space; our staff were decidedly cool on Omeka (and Omeka S).

So I'm just wondering if anybody else is using Scalar at their institution?  What do you think?  What are your medium- to long-term plans?

Thanks,

-Allan

[Christy Karpinski]

Hi Allan, 

The Newberry Library was using Scalar for all its digital exhibits - not sure if they still are or not but might be worth trying to contact Jen Wolfe

[Allan Berry]

Thanks Christy and Gretchen. @Gretchen, something weird about Google Groups?  I thought you replied to this thread, but now I can't see your reply.  :/

Anyways, thanks, yeah I know that Chicago Collections has been using Scalar for a while (Kate here at UIC has been instrumental in our own effort).  I'd also assumed that it was in use at CHM, due to @Gretchen's obvious expertise helping the CCC with their exhibits (thanks for the reminder regardless!).

I don't have any specific questions or concerns, mostly just kind of general curiosity how people envision a path going forward, in say 5 years when Scalar really shows its age.

I thought maybe it made sense to dig into the source and start making improvements myself, fixing issues.  I don't know the folks at USC, so I don't know whether any changes would make it upstream.  Maybe this would mean forking the system or something.  Also, my experience with Scalar code is... well, it's kind of a mess under the hood.  I have half a mind to start from scratch, and build a modern alternative, with a clear migration path.  I dunno.

Cheers,

-Allan