Introduction:

Winisis is a software developed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for managing and retrieving information stored in textual databases. It is a Windows-based version of the CDS/ISIS software, widely used in libraries, documentation centres, and similar institutions for creating and maintaining bibliographic databases.

Winisis is different from a relational database management system (RDBMS). It is based on a text-oriented database mode. It uses the CDS/ISIS (Computerized Documentation Service/Integrated Set of Information Systems) data model, which is designed to handle bibliographic and textual data rather than the structured data typically managed by relational databases. Data is stored in a format that consists of records, fields, and subfields, but it does not support the relational model’s tables, rows, and columns with defined relationships and constraints. This makes Winisis particularly suited for managing unstructured or semi-structured textual information, such as bibliographic records in libraries and documentation centres, rather than for applications requiring complex relational data handling.

Key Features of Winisis:

1. Database Management: Allows for the creation, updating, and maintenance of textual and bibliographic databases.
2. Data Retrieval: Provides powerful search capabilities, including boolean searches, to retrieve information efficiently.
3. User-Friendly Interface: Designed to be easy to use with a graphical interface suitable for Windows environments.
4. Flexible Data Entry: Supports customisable data entry worksheets tailored to the specific needs of different databases.
5. Multilingual Support: Capable of handling multiple languages, making it suitable for international use.
6. Import/Export Functionality: Facilitates the exchange of data with other software systems through import/export features.
7. Customization: Allows for various levels of customization in terms of data structure, search formats, and display formats.

Legacy Software:

Unfortunately, Winisis is no longer actively supported or updated by UNESCO. The software, built for 16-bit machines, has not seen any updates for the last two decades. The lack of official updates means that it is no longer compatible with newer operating systems or technologies. Users looking for alternatives often consider other library and information management systems such as Koha, Evergreen, or other Integrated Library Systems (ILS) that are actively maintained and offer more modern features.

Continued use of Winisis:

People still continue to use Winisis for several reasons:

1. Legacy Data: Many institutions have extensive databases in Winisis, making migration costly and complex.
2. Familiarity: Long-term users are accustomed to Winisis, reducing retraining needs.
3. Specific Features: Tailored features for bibliographic management make it irreplaceable for some.
4. Cost: As a free tool provided by UNESCO, it remains a cost-effective option for resource-limited institutions.
5. Teaching in Library Science: Winisis is still taught in some library science programs to provide historical context and foundational knowledge in database management.
6. Low Resource Requirement: Winisis runs efficiently on older hardware and operating systems.

Installation on Modern OS:

Installing Winisis on modern operating systems can be challenging due to its outdated software architecture. Here are some methods:

1. Compatibility Mode: Run the installation file in compatibility mode for older versions of Windows (e.g., Windows XP or Windows 7).
2. Virtual Machines: Use a virtual machine (VM) running an older version of Windows that supports Winisis. Software like VMware or VirtualBox can help set this up.
3. Wine on Linux/Mac: For Linux or Mac users, use Wine to run Winisis, although compatibility can vary.

These methods help ensure that Winisis can run despite its lack of updates for modern systems.

Better Installation Methods:

Here I will explain better installation methods that have been tested by myself. Depending on the machine architecture, I suggest the following two methods:

1. NTVDM on 32-bit Windows 10.
2. WINEVDM on 64-bit Windows.

NTVDM on 32-bit Windows 10:

This method uses the NTVDM [1] feature of Windows 10. NTVDM, or the NT Virtual DOS Machine, is a system component introduced in 1993 for all IA-32 editions of the Windows NT family (not included with 64-bit versions of the OS). This component allows the execution of 16-bit Windows applications on 32-bit Windows operating systems, as well as the execution of both 16-bit and 32-bit DOS applications. It is very similar to installing Winisis on Windows 2000, XP and NT by placing a ctl3d.dll file in the windows/system directory.

Steps:

1. Mount Winisis CD or ISO file. In case, Winisis CD or ISO is not available, you may download Winisis installation files [2].
2. Explore files to reach the directory containing Install.exe.
3. Double-click on Install.exe.
4. Windows will pop up an alert “An app on your PC needs the following Windows feature: NTVDM. Install this feature. Skip this Installation.”
5. Select “Install this feature”. Windows will search for files and install the feature.
6. Installation of Winisis will now proceed. Select various options for Winisis installation. It would suggest default options, which are fine. That will complete Winisis installation in a directory named “WINISIS”.
7. Restart the system.
8. Now explore the WINISIS directory and look for WISIS.EXE. Execute it to start up Winisis.
9. In case you get the error – “Can’t run 16-bit Windows program …”, press OK to close WISIS.
10. Download ctl3d.dll [3] file and place it in the Windows/System directory. Replace the existing file if any with the same name.
11. WISIS should now work fine. Create a shortcut icon for WISIS and place it on the desktop.

WINEVDM on 64-bit Windows:

This method uses the WINEVDM [4]. Otvdm or WineVDM, is an open-source compatibility layer and user-mode emulator developed for 64-bit Windows. It consists of WineVDM, a component of Wine that serves the same role the NTVDM does on 32-bit Windows. This method has been tested to work on 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11.  

Steps:

1. We would require Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Version [5] for the x86 Architecture. It is important to note to download an X86 architecture version [6] although we are going to install it on an x64 architecture machine.  
2. Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Version.
3. Download the latest version of WINEVDM [4]. Extract the contents of the downloaded zip file and execute the install file.
4. Mount Winisis CD or ISO file or download Winisis installation files [2].
5. Explore files to reach the directory containing Install.exe.
6. Double-click on Install.exe.
7. Winisis will start installing and on completion there will be a directory named “WINISIS”.
8. Now explore the WINISIS directory and look for WISIS.EXE.
9. Create a shortcut icon for WISIS and place it on the desktop.
10. Winisis should work fine.

REFERENCES/ LINKS:

1. NTVDM and 16-bit app support. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/ntvdm-and-16-bit-app-support [Accessed – 30th July 2024].
2. Winisis Version 1.4 Installation Files. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1erLfII8k0o5M74c–IXJ5ZahSD0RpTIT/view?usp=sharing  [Accessed 30th July 2014]
3. CTL3D.DLL file. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lcmAxDtr_YFq_YtWynrrDKMlcnuRgIdD/view?usp=sharing  [Accessed 30th July 2024].
4. WINEVDM. https://github.com/otya128/winevdm/releases/tag/v0.9.0  [Accessed 30th July 2024].
5. Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Version. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist  [Accessed 30th July 2024].
6. Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Version for X86 Architecture. https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x86.exe  [Accessed 30th July 2024].