The release of Blaise 5.0.3 will include the first version of Manipula in Blaise 5. Manipula is the data processing system of Blaise that can be used for many tasks, for instance to select data, derive new data and perform complex computations. The focus of this first version of Manipula in Blaise 5 is on automatic processing of data import and export. It supports the most commonly used file types in Blaise: ASCII text files (positional or delimited formats), XML and Blaise. The ASCII and XML formats supported are identical to the formats used in Blaise 4. The manipulation part supports all constructs that are supported by the rules section of a datamodel plus a few more.
To support development of a Manipula setup the Blaise IDE has been extended with the possibility to define a Manipula project. A Manipula setup can be developed, prepared and executed in the IDE.
With the release of Blaise 5.0.3, you will once again be able to use keyboard shortcuts to perform actions on the active field. This is particularly useful in CAPI mode, where interviewers can use Ctrl-K / Ctrl-R to put the special answer don’t know / refusal into a field. It can also be used for context-sensitive help (F1 or Ctrl-F1) on a field, or to clear the value of a field with a shortcut. Keyboard shortcuts can also be used to perform actions on the page or survey level, for instance Ctrl-P to print the current page, Ctrl-S to save the survey or Ctrl-X to abort the survey. Besides keyboard shortcuts, you can also respond to left and right swipe actions. This allows you to perform your own actions when the respondent tries to go to the next or previous page.
In June, Statistics Netherlands will organise a Blaise 5 Layout Training, which is a three-day course for Blaise developers. It will focus specifically on how to specify and apply layout using the new tools in Blaise 5. The course is especially useful for existing Blaise 4 programmers who want to know more about how to make the transition to Blaise 5, or who want to know more about the new capabilities of Blaise 5. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Together with Westat we gave a Blaise 5 Training in Washington DC at 11, 12 and 13 May. The main focus of this training was to get hands-on experience at the new features of Blaise 5, especially the layout part. There were 14 participants from various organisations in the United States. We think the course was very fruitful for everyone, the collaboration with Westat was great, and we also heard some very valuable ideas and suggestions about the software from the participants :)
This same course will be given at Statistics Netherlands at 15, 16 and 17 June. There is still some space left if you're interested. If you want to know more about this or some other course in the future, please mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (North/South America) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (rest of the world).
The last couple of weeks we have been working on our new website and we are proud to say: It’s ready! Welcome! You´ll find information about Blaise 4, but also all the latest on the development of Blaise 5 and related products. You can find everything through the links on top, or you can use the search bar to search for specific topics. If you follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook, you’ll always get the latest information.
We had been looking forward to the IBUC in China for a long time. This was the first time that the conference was going to be held outside Europe and America. It was unfortunate that many organizations chose to send just a few people or none at all. But for the ones that were lucky enough to be able to go, the conference was a complete success. The organization of the conference was excellent, the presented papers were of a high quality, the food was great, and everybody did a lot of sightseeing.
The Blaise team members got the opportunity to exchange ideas with Blaise users in an informal way, during breaks and at dinner in the evenings. We even got to celebrate two birthdays during the conference. Many users shared their experiences with Blaise, and many users expressed their willingness to share their work, or collaborate with others.
We would like to thank the organizers of the conference very much for making this conference one of the best we’ve ever had!
