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  • Post-Meeting Pipeline

    A set of command-line tools that transforms the output from OSCAR into publishable LoARs.

    Primarily used by Silver Staple (the post-decision clerk) and/or Morsulus; not well known or documented outside of the sovereign staff.

    Converts XML to HTML.

    Technology

    Code: Not well documented. (Believed to include Jade, DSSSL.)

    Databases: Flat data files only.

    Revision Control: Unknown.

    Server: Unknown.

    Development

    History: Introduced in the 1990s.

    Developers: The below is based on notes from the Heraldic Technology Roundtable at KWHSS 2024.

    • Eric (?): Initial generation of XML from WordPerfect files used for LoARs in the 1990s.
    • Elsbeth Anne Roth: Implemented the DSSSL pipeline in 1999.
    • Daniel de Lincoln: Updates circa 2004.

    Future: As of mid-2024, Reis is reportedly working to replace the current Jade/DSSSL system with one that uses modern tooling and XSLT.

  • OSCAR

    The Online System for Commentary and Response is the platform for submissions, commentary, and decisions on names, armory, and related items. Its structure reflects the paper letters of intent and letters of comment that were the basis for the earlier offline system it replaced.

    Status: Heavily used; code is updated regularly.

    Team

    Developers: Tancos Istvan. Recently assisted by Malyss Makneile.

    License: Copyright maintained by the original author.

    Connections

    Imports: Accepts forms transfers from the Pennsic Forms tool.

    Exports: Laurel-level decisions are exported via the Post-Decision pipeline. Can also export a list of in-process items in the format used by the O&A database to allow searching alongside registered items.

    Technology

    Code: PHP. HTML, JavaScript, JQuery.

    Server: Hosted on the main SCA.org server.

    Databases: MariaDB.

    Revision Control: Git. Self-hosted by the lead developer.

    History

    Introduced circa 2005. Adopted at different times for Laurel commentary and individual kingdoms.

    There were two “OSCAR 2” efforts, both of which fizzled.


  • Event Forms Tool

    This tool helps to manage the workflow of creating submission forms. It is not in continuous use; it’s only intended for use as part of an event with a Heralds Point.

    It was originally created for use at Pennsic, but has also been used for some other events such as the “virtual heralds point” events in February and August of 2021.

    Consulting heralds and event staff can create records that include the various fields found on submission forms and attach documentation and armory images.

    At the end of an event, completed forms can be transferred into OSCAR as draft (“proto”) kingdom letters.

    Connections

    Exports: To OSCAR.

    Technology

    Code: PHP.

    Databases: MySQL.

    Revision Control: Unknown.

    Server: A copy runs on the main SCA.org server for use by major events. During Pennsic, a local copy is hosted on a server in the Heralds Point admin shack.

    Team

    Developers: Tanczos Istvan

  • College of Arms Website

    The College’s website at heraldry.sca.org is the official reference point for both outsiders and members of the college.

    Content

    The content on the site can be divided into a couple of sections based on the pattern of updates and the people who contribute to it:

    • General Info: Home page, About Us, KWHSS information.
    • Rules: Admin Handbook, SENA, Glossary, etc. Generally maintained by Palimpsest. Files sent to Codex for posting.
    • Articles: Directory of links to locally-hosted and off-site resources. Usually approved by Clarion or directly by the Sovereigns. Files sent to Codex for posting.
    • Letters: LoARs, Precedents, LoAR search. LoARs are posted directly by Morsulus.

    Technology

    Code: The site uses simple PHP templating code to wrap a common header, footer, and stylesheet around all of the pages on the site.

    Databases: There are no relational databases, but several types of information are stored as YAML files which are read and converted to HTML displays by PHP code embedded in certain pages.

    Revision Control: All code and content are stored in Git. The repository is hosted at GitHub. Access is limited.

    Server: Hosted on the main SCA.org server.

    Team

    Codex Herald: This title is given to the lead maintainer of the site.

    Clarion Herald: In recent years, the heraldic education deputy has also been responsible for the curation of articles for the website.

    Others: Updates during 2024 contributed by Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin.

    History

    The website was first built in the 1990s, overhauled in 2004 and again circa 2013.

    There was an effort circa 2019–2020 to reorganize the website, and an update during 2024 to recruit people to edit the articles pages.