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The EAD Version 1.0 to 2002 Conversion Script is a perl program which converts EAD version 1.0 finding aids encoded either in SGML or in XML to be converted into EAD 2002. It can convert individual finding aids one by one or be run in a batch mode on an entire folder of finding aids. There's no need to install some bizarre Java environment or worry about downloading the latest version of Saxon or some XSLT processor. Just double click the installation script to install the program then get started. It's all self-contained and ready to go.
The default interface is "drag and drop." Simply drag your finding aid from your folder window onto the conversion desktop icon and wait a few moments for the conversion to be complete and the report to be displayed in your browser window. For batch conversion of multiple finding aids, copy the batch program file from the program's installation directory and paste it into the folder containing the finding aids you want to convert as a batch. Double click it to begin, the go to lunch or go home for the evening and when you return all of your finding aids will have been converted and a detailed report describing what was changed and any problems encountered will display in your web browser.
Customization file
You can finetune many of the convertor's features by editing the plain text Options.cfg file. Specify the form and text of the <eadid> or the attributes within the <eadheader> tag. Choose your own encoding and wording for the <change> element which is added to every converted finding aid.
Conversion report
View a detailed conversion report for every converted finding aid. The report lists the changes which were made and any potential problems that were encountered. Each entry in the report is linked to a handy help document providing more details about the change and suggestions about dealing with problems that may have been encountered.
Batch mode
Just copy the 2002_batch.bat file into the folder containing the finding aids you want to convert and double-click it to begin the batch conversion process. At the end of conversion a (large) conversion report will be displayed detailing the changes made to eaach finding aid.
Reasonable XML formatting
The XML output will be formatted in an easy to read, attractive and useful manner which can be easily manipulated in a text editor (because not everyone uses an XML editor all of the time). Your XML won't come out all on one single big huge line, nor will it be half-heartedly formatted in a partially indented manner with odd line breaks and strange alignment problems.
More closely matches the original encoding
You can preserve "composite file" finding aids whose parts are encoded in different files and embedded within a master EAD file using entities. Your output files will also be composed of the same composite structure by default (you can disable this in Options.cfg file). No strange added attributes will be inserted if they were not present in the original file (unless they are required by the EAD 2002 DTD).
It's written in perl instead of XSLT
Because it's written in perl it's easy to install and use. Just double click to install, then drag your file on top of the desktop icon and conversion is complete. Powerful perl programming language guarantees that conversion is reliable and flexible. There's no need to open a "command prompt" and type in a long, complicated string just to convert a single finding aid. You don't have to struggle with installing the latest Java or XSLT engine just to run a simple conversion. If you don't happen to have a full time computer programmer on your staff then eadv1to2002 is for you!
First open the file called Options.cfg within the eadv1to2002 installation directory in any text editor, e.g., NoteTab or Windows Notepad. This file is well commented. Follow the instructions within this file and change the options as recommended. Save the file.
Installing the script will place an icon on your desktop. To convert a finding aid simply drag the EAD version 1.0 file from your Windows Explorer file manager window onto the desktop icon and release.
To convert a folder containing many finding aids simultaneously, copy the file called 2002_batch.bat from your eadv1to2002 installation directory and paste it into the folder containing your finding aids. Double click the file to initiate the batch conversion.
Right-click and select "Save As": eadv1to2002_setup.exe (July 1, 2005)