Overview of the 2015 JabRef survey

Introduction

In November 2015, the community was asked to fill a survey about JabRef usages and potential developments About 400 responses were collected. This page presents an overview of the results. A detailed analysis is provided at Analysis.

Current use of JabRef

• JabRef is the primary bibliographic software of responders. If not, Zotero, a plain text editor and Mendeley are the most popular.
• JafRef is mostly used in relation with TeX-world softwares.
• English is the primary language for the user interface.
• Stability of the software is a key requirement.
• JabRef should be compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac.
• While hand edition of BibTeX files is common, feature improvements will reduce this practice.
• While the default key pattern is ok, the ability to alter it is a required feature.
• Both types of special characters (i.e. ü and "{u}) need to be supported.
• UTF-8 is widely-used for encoding the databases, so available choices of encoding could be simplified.
• Add-ons should be better advertised (import filters, export filters, plugins, journal abbreviation lists, external fetchers and external tools).

Improvements should mainly target:

• Importation of entry
• The graphic user interface
• Entry editing

New features?

The most desirable features are at the top of the graph, the least desirable at the bottom.

Who are the JabRef users?

• Most are German and English speakers.
• They mostly use JabRef for their work (mainly in natural sciences, formal sciences and professions).

JabRef users are willing to:

• attend JabCon 2016, and a webinar will boost the attendance.
• contribute code
• to contribute money

So, calls for event, code and financial contributions should be sent.