[Ldsoss] Re: HT and VT Tool

[Jay Askren]

In the CSV export from MLS, there is also a unique identifier created
by MLS for both the family and for the individuals.  I used this as my
key in my Emergency Preparedness Program.  Does anyone know how stable
these columns are?  I use it to tell if someone is new to the ward
when an update happens, because I didn't want to store the membership
number for privacy reasons.

Jay



On 5/19/07, Bill Pringle <wrp103 at psu.edu> wrote:
> Since several of you are working on similar tools, let me tell you
> one of the things I implemented within my program for keeping track
> of updates.  If you don't plan for updates up front, it becomes
> increasingly more difficult the further along you get into development.
>
> I have an auxiliary file that can be used to store cell phones
> (associated with the person, not the family), work numbers, etc.  I
> also use it to provide information for non-members not in MLS as well
> as out-of-unit individuals working in the unit (such as myself).  The
> key is to tie the entries in this file to the entries in MLS.  I
> originally used the membership number, but that causes problems for
> people who don't have access to the exported CSV files.  (My program
> can be used, for example, by an EQ/RS Pres by saving the MLS reports
> they have access to.)  I am planning on instead using a combination
> of their name and phone number.  I will probably generate a unique
> number and use that internally within my database structure.  As I
> read entries from MLS, I would do a lookup in the index to find the
> unique number.  If not found, I would create a new entry for the
> presumably new member.
>
> Most likely I will implement both methods.  The membership number
> already exists, so all I need to do is to implement an alternative
> indexing method if the CSV files aren't present.  (My program will
> fist try to read the MLS CSV export files.  If they aren't found, it
> tries for MLS report files (using the Shift-Ctrl-C trick), and if all
> else fails, it will look for web pages saved from the unit web site.)
>
> As I said before, you can download my program and see how it works:
>          http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/w/r/wrp103/lds/index.html#mls
> and I would be glad to send anyone the C source files if need be.
>
> One of these days, I have to upload all these tools I have to sourceforge. ;^)
>
>
>
>
> ---
> Bill Pringle
> work: Bill.Pringle at unisys.com   http://www.unisysfsp.com
> http://www.unisys.com
> home/school: wrp103 at psu.edu http://www.personal.psu.edu/~wrp103
> http://CherylWheeler.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> Ldsoss mailing list
> Ldsoss at lists.ldsoss.org
> http://lists.ldsoss.org/mailman/listinfo/ldsoss
>