Sometimes, we undertake upgrades so grand, it takes several days to build them, debug them, test them. test all the various cascading consequences, and finally deploy them.

Such is the case right now, since issuing the v0.11.004 version of LIDA on January 19, three days ago.

If you are interested, here is a medium (not short, and hopefully not overly long) summary of the two major upgrades coming in the next Beta release.

Upgrade #1: LISTS filtering

The first upgrade is the capability to FILTER two of the LISTS built into LIDA — The Instrumentations List and the Styles/Genres List.

Ever since before the Beta Test began, LIDA users have mentioned that the lists – these two lists in particular, were not exactly appropriate or did not apply to them, and that they needed different content for these lists.

Until now, our response to this has been “We made these lists editable so you can customize them to suit your needs.” and this is still true (and will remain so) in LIDA.

However, we want LIDA to be as easy as possible to use, and making each user jump through hoops to make the lists suit them isn’t the easiest thing in the world for them.

There HAD to be an easier way, and a few days ago, I woke up with “the solution” in my mind – leave the lists fully populated, and allow the users to select which subsets of these lists they would like to see in their dropdowns.

So over the last few days, we have been developing this capability, so each LIDA user will be able to select which subsets of these lists they would like to see: 

Upgrade #2: Create NEW Empty Data File

This can be accomplished in LIDA by creating multiple data files, and recent upgrades to LIDA have made it easy-peasy to switch between those data files.

However, until now, the only way to create a NEW data file for a new library has been by copying an existing file, renaming it, then editing it to suit the needs of that particular group. One of the biggest edits would have been deleting all the existing listings before entering or importing listings from the new group whose library is being managed in the new file.

(a) Verify WHERE you want that file stored (it will default to your current data file storage location);

(b) Give the new data file a name (such as Concert Band Library or Main Choir Library);

(c) Click the button to create the library (you will then be automatically connected to it);

(d) Select which subsets of Instrumentations and Styles/Genres you want for this list, and finally

(e) Enter or import your listings.