LIBRARY RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET: STRATEGIES FOR SELECTION AND USE Reference and Adult Services Division Machine-Assisted Reference Section Direct Patron Access to Computer-Based Reference Systems Committee Edited by: Laine Farley Contributors: Mary Engle Gregory Finnegan Eddy Hogan Lee Jaffe Sally Wayman Kalin Jo Kibbee Karen Snure Roy Tennant Paige Weston August, 1991 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project grew from initial discussions at the Direct Patron Access Committee's meetings at the 1990 annual meeting in Chicago when the Committee was chaired by Peggy Seiden. Committee members contributed their expertise and ideas for the structure of the guide, and wrote or compiled sections. Committee members included: Laine Farley, University of California, Office of the President, Library Automation, 1989-1991 (Chair, 1990-1991) Greg Finnegan, Dartmouth College, 1989-1991 Eddy Hogan, California State University, Sacramento, 1987-1991 Lee Jaffe, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1988-1991 Sally Wayman Kalin, Pennsylvania State University, 1989-1991 Jo Kibbee, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1990-1991 Karen Snure, Ohio State University, 1990-1991 Roy Tennant, University of California, Berkeley, 1988-1991 E. Paige Weston, University of Illinois, Chicago, 1987-1991 The Committee thanks ad hoc volunteers Mary Engle for writing the section on technical tips, and reviewing other sections, and Sue Dentinger for reviewing several sections. The Committee also acknowledges the interest and suggestions offered by a number of PACS-L participants, and members of OPAC vendor user groups who reviewed entries in Appendix B. I want to acknowledge the excellent contributions of each committee member. They not only reviewed the entire guide and made improvements, but also provided the moral support and enthusiasm to keep the editor on track. In addition, each member contributed individually as follows: Greg Finnegan compiled the section on "travel guides"; Eddy Hogan contributed most of Section 5 on other online resources; Lee Jaffe wrote section 4.2 and 4.3 on using system successfully; Sally Kalin contributed to Section 2 and Section 5.3 on specialized databases; Jo Kibbee compiled the bibliography in Appendix A; Karen Snure researched system models for Appendix B; Roy Tennant contributed Section 1 and Section 3.5; and Paige Weston compiled Section 2. I am also grateful to my co-workers at the UC Division of Library Automation, Mark Needleman, for making the text available via FTP; and Genny Engel, for her careful reading of the draft and many useful improvements. Laine Farley, editor LIBRARY RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET: STRATEGIES FOR SELECTION AND USE TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements Introduction: Scope and Purpose of the Guide Section 1: Getting There From Here 1.1 The Internet: Some Background Information 1.2 How to Get Started 1.3 References for Getting Started Section 2: Why Search Library Catalogs Via the Internet? Section 3: Road Maps and Travel Guides 3.1 The Road Maps: Sources for Identifying Library Catalogs on the Internet 3.2 References for the Road Maps 3.3 The Travel Guides: Sources for Selecting Library Catalogs 3.4 References for the Travel Guides 3.5 Beyond Road Maps and Travel Guides: Gateways and Clients Section 4: Using Systems Successfully--Survival Tips 4.1 Making and Breaking the Connection -- Technical Tips 4.2 Search Strategies -- Understanding System Basics 4.3 Beyond the Basics -- Discovering the Real Power of an Online Catalog Section 5: What Else is Out There--Other Online Resources 5.1 Companion Databases to Online Catalogs 5.2 Campus-Wide Information Systems 5.3 Specialized Databases Appendix A: Libraries and Network Resources: Additional Readings Appendix B: System Models Appendix C: Glossary Appendix D: An FTP Primer INTRODUCTION: Scope and Purpose of the Guide The analogy of a superhighway has been used to describe the emerging system of networked computers known as the Internet, which connects research and educational institutions nationally and internationally. Libraries were one of the first institutions to set up shop along this superhighway, beckoning travellers to their electronic doorways to explore bibliographic riches in a new guise--the online public access catalog, also known as the OPAC (a controversial but convenient acronym). Why is this guide needed? The lack of reliable road maps and informative travel guides to the Internet initially made this journey appealing only to the intrepid. Many groups currently are working to establish consistent and reliable sources of information about Internet resources. At present, however, there is no general overview or practical handbook to introduce users to the Internet when they have a specific destination in mind. This guide seeks to give users practical strategies for identifying and using one type of resource--library catalogs on the Internet. Who is the audience? The guide provides a general approach that can be followed by any user, or by librarians for their clientele, in producing a more customized guide to specific systems of interest. You can use it as a sort of erector set or kit, including the parts of most value to your interests, and filling in the details for your own situation. Some parts may be more meaningful to librarians, for example, the section on "travel guides". But this section may alert other users to the idea that resources exist to help make choices. In concert with librarians, users can explore and create more focused guides. Portions of the guide may be reprinted or adapted for nonprofit purposes, providing the material is accurately quoted and the source duly credited. What does it include? The guide provides background on the purpose and services of the Internet, gives examples of types of library systems and companion resources, identifies directories and other sources for locating currently available systems, and relates strategies used by experienced searchers to make the most of exploring new resources. What does it exclude? Because our committee's life span was coming to an end due to a reorganization of all MARS committees, we had to limit the scope of our project to something we could finish quickly. The guide will not be updated, but if it proves valuable, perhaps others will develop its successor as it becomes outdated. For these reasons, the guide does not describe individual library catalogs. Other sources provide that function and have a mechanism for incorporating updates quickly. We also recognize that library catalogs are not the only valuable resource on the Internet. One of the major benefits of the Internet for users is that many different kinds of resources, such as specialized scientific databases, regional business information, or research-in-progress, have much higher visibility now that a common structure links them together. A few of these resources are described briefly in Section 5 and some generalizations made about categories (although they defy categorization, even by a group of librarians). These resources are much more difficult to identify and understand. They lack even the surface commonalities shared by library catalogs. Although beyond the scope of this guide, we hope that other groups will pursue this intriguing area in the future. The guide also concentrates on resources available for remote login, not the many and diverse documents, data, software, or other items that can be captured using FTP. Some FTP-able documents are mentioned because they are resources for identifying or using library catalogs, or because they provide essential background information. Electronic mail and e-mail discussion groups are mentioned only briefly, again because they are tools related to discovering information about library catalogs on the Internet. But this guide does not cover sources for e-mail discussion groups, mail etiquette, or other details of this service. Where it is available --In electronic format via FTP on host dla.ucop.edu, directory pub/internet, filename libcat-guide. It will remain until it is obviously out of date or until it has a successor. --In print as an RASD Occasional Paper, available for purchase. Available for loan at the LOEX Clearinghouse on Library Instruction. SECTION 1: GETTING THERE FROM HERE Whether you plan to become a full network participant or want to use the network only for reaching other library catalogs, it is useful to understand the basic network organization and the services it provides. 1.1 THE INTERNET: SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Internet is a network of hundreds of computer networks spanning the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia (Quarterman, 1990 and LaQuey, 1990). This vast interconnection of computers provides an unparalleled infrastructure for resource sharing. An Internet user can connect to a computer on the other side of the world as quickly and easily as if it were in the next room. Mail messages can be delivered to any of thousands of individual mail boxes in dozens of countries. Large computer files can be transferred quickly with a few brief commands. These capabilities are bringing a vast array of resources to our desktops at little or no charge to users. Since the Internet is comprised of separately administered networks, Internet support tasks are accomplished by cooperative arrangements. Two major Network Information Centers (SRI International and Bolt, Beranek and Newman) provide direct support to network users by making network documents and other information available, by keeping track of network hosts, and other services. The Internet Activities Board and its subsidiaries coordinate Internet design, engineering and management (Cerf, 1990). The Coalition for the National Research and Education Network is working to develop a National Research and Education Network (NREN) which would provide more interconnectivity and much higher communication speeds than the U.S. Internet currently provides (Coalition..., 1989). The Coalition for Networked Information was recently formed by the Association of Research Libraries, CAUSE, and EDUCOM to promote the provision of information resources on existing networks and on proposed interconnected networks. Internet Protocols If disparate computer systems are to communicate, they must be able to understand and respond predictably to other machines. This is accomplished by requiring that each machine on a network support a particular set of protocols, or agreements on how certain basic functions are to be handled. For the Internet, these protocols are presently the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols (Hedrick, 1987). In the future, the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocols of the International Standards Organization (ISO) may supplant TCP/IP as the glue that holds the Internet together. TCP/IP provides for three basic services: electronic mail, remote login and file transfer. Internet Services All three of the major services provided by the Internet protocols may come in handy for the Internet explorer. It is the remote login service, described below, that makes it possible to connect to other library catalogs on the Internet. . Remote Login: The TELNET command initiates a connection to a remote machine over the Internet. It allows you to log in to a distant computer and use it as if your terminal were directly connected. This function is described in more detail in Section 3, "Using Systems Successfully". . File Transfer: The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) of the TCP/IP protocol suite allows users to transfer files quickly from machine to machine on the Internet. It is possible to transfer files in various formats, allowing you to retrieve software programs, graphic images, and other files which are not ASCII text. Since a particular set of commands must be used to perform these tasks, it is best to refer to specific instructions (Bowers, 1990), although a brief "FTP Primer" is included as Appendix D. Many of the directories of resources on the Internet and other networking information are available via FTP. An example of research-related applications of FTP is obtaining files such as directories, catalogs and bibliographies of resources that are posted on the Internet. For example, the Oxford Text Archive, a database of the full-text of books, plays, essays, and poetry, makes its updated catalog of materials available for capture with FTP. Also available via FTP are the full-text of electronic journals and copies of software packages. . Electronic mail: E-mail is a fast, inexpensive, and efficient way to communicate with people on the network around the world. It is possible to send messages or files to another user on the same network or through a "gateway" to a different network such as BITNET. As you explore library catalogs on the Internet, this function may be used to contact people responsible for online library catalogs for information about a catalog's contents or other services. Electronic mail has many applications for research. Since this is an easy way to transmit text, it is possible to share quickly notes and drafts of works-in-progress with co-authors, reviewers, and editors. It is also possible to send e-mail to more than one person at a time; a working group of colleagues all over the world can keep in touch quickly and easily. Large mailing lists called listservers function as electronic discussion forums, allowing members to track trends and communicate about common interests. 1.2 HOW TO GET STARTED If you are affiliated with an academic or special library, you should check with your computer staff to see if your organization has access to the Internet. Users at other locations may need to establish a computer account at a local college or university that offers Internet access. An account is not always necessary, local conditions permitting. Some online catalogs provide a connection to other selected catalogs on the Internet as an option from the local catalog. The CARL system in Colorado, Dartmouth College, and the University of California's MELVYL System are examples of this alternative. These online catalogs may offer a limited selection of systems, but make it easier to get started since a computer account is probably not necessary. Some systems will also handle any login instructions for you, so that you don't have to know how to use Telnet commands or remember login sequences. To get started "internetworking", there are several good beginning sources. Britten (1990) offers a good brief overview of both BITNET and the Internet for librarians, and his "networkography" lists some excellent sources. An overview not directed at librarians is offered by Krol (1989). For the most authoritative source on network resources, obtain the National Science Foundation's Internet Resource Guide (1989). The essential bibliography of Internet information is Bowers, et.al. (1990). No matter how much you read, however, there is no substitute for your own experience. If you have access to the Internet you should take the plunge and start using the three functions offered to network users. Electronic mail, remote login, and file transfer have already proven to be important tools for many users. In the future, the ability to use computer networks effectively will be a fundamental skill required to satisfy basic information needs. 1.3 REFERENCES FOR GETTING STARTED Bowers, Karen, et. al. FYI on Where to Start - A Bibliography of Internetworking Information. Network Working Group, Request for Comments 1175, August, 1990. [Available via FTP on host nic.ddn.mil, directory rfc:, filename RFC1175.TXT] Britten, William A. "BITNET and the Internet: Scholarly Networks for Librarians." College and Research Libraries News, 51(2) (February 1990): 103-107. Cerf, Vinton. The Internet Activities Board. Network Working Group, Request for Comments 1160, July 1990. [Available via FTP on host nic.ddn.mil, directory rfc:, filename RFC.1160.TXT] Coalition for the National Research and Education Network. NREN: The National Research and Education Network. Washington, DC: Coalition for the National Research and Education Network, 1989. Hedrick, Charles. Introduction to the Internet Protocols. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Computer Science Facilities Group, July 3, 1987. [Available via FTP on host topaz.rutgers.edu, directory pub/tcp-ip-docs, filenames tcp-ip-intro.doc or tcp-ip-intro.ps] Krol, Ed. The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Internet. Network Working Group, Request for Comments 1118, September, 1989. [Available via FTP on host nic.ddn.mil, directory rfc:, filename RFC1118.TXT] LaQuey, Tracy L. User's Directory of Computer Networks. Bedford, MA: Digital Press, 1990. Malkin, G, and A. Marine. FYI on Questions and Answers: Answers to Commonly asked "New Internet User" Questions. Network Working Group, Request for Comments 1206, February 1991. [Available via FTP on host nic.ddn.mil, direcotry rfc:, filename RFC.1206.TXT, or via e-mail request to service@nic.ddn.mil with subject: RFC 1206] National Science Foundation Network Service Center. Internet Resource Guide. Cambridge, MA: NSF Network Service Center, 1989. [Available via FTP on host nsc.nsf.net, directory resource-guide, or via e-mail request to resource-guide-request@nnsc.nsf.net] Quarterman, John S. The Matrix: Computer Networks and Conferencing Systems Worldwide. Bedford, MA: Digital Press, 1990. SECTION 2: WHY SEARCH LIBRARY CATALOGS VIA THE INTERNET? If you are comfortable with using your local online public access catalog (OPAC) and are usually successful in searching it, you may wonder why you should risk travelling across the Internet to distant systems. Even if perusing other systems does not become a regular part of your searching routine, you may find that access to other library catalogs is an invaluable resource for specific needs. Some of the main reasons for seeking out other systems are listed below. Because Internet travel is free or low-cost, you can experiment and be creative in your explorations. A. To use a remote OPAC as a complement to your own OPAC. A remote system may have different capabilities or features (keyword searching, indexed contents notes, etc.), which can help identify materials available but not easily identifiable in the local system. A remote system may be available at hours when a local system is not, or when the local system is down temporarily. Students, advanced researchers, and the general public all need to verify citations occasionally, as do library staff in reference, interlibrary loan, preorder searching, and original cataloging. Researchers at all levels can identify new materials on a topic, in a collection that is stronger than the local collection, or that is simply better represented online in a remote system. B. To evaluate a collection. Researchers can sample other institutions' collections in preparation for research trips, or while away, they can use their home systems. Academics need help choosing where to go to college or grad school, where to spend a sabbatical year, or where to accept a job offer. Nonacademics need help deciding where to locate a new business, whether to fund a grant proposal, or with what institution to establish a contract. Librarians can coordinate, and library users can benefit from, cooperative collection development. Other libraries' examples can help librarians set local retrospective conversion priorities. C. To use a specialized database. Some libraries have created special indexes to portions of their collections that were not commonly included in their predecessor card catalogs. Examples include indexes to song collections, slide collections, or local newspapers. See Section 4 for other types of databases. Some of the specific reasons to seek out these databases include the following: Researchers in a subject area may find specialized resources not available anywhere else (e.g., University of Michigan's Meeman Archive on environmental journalism). Users can search readily available information in electronic form, providing more flexibility or better access (e.g., full text of Shakespeare plays and sonnets at Dartmouth). Users needing regional information may discover indexes or even full text of local newspapers or statistics (e.g., index to the Florida Times-Union at Florida State). Librarians can answer reference questions using specialized indexes or using standard reference works available elsewhere (e.g., Carnegie Mellon's index to architectural illustrations, Choice Book Reviews on Colorado's CARL system). D. To test, evaluate, or play with different system capabilities. Instructors and librarians can use remote systems to teach users the basic concepts of information retrieval, comparing strategies and capabilities in different systems. Librarians, together with their university, city, or corporate administrators, can decide which particular online system they want to install locally, or can list and rank the system features most desirable locally. People not otherwise interested in bibliographic information management can learn about online information management in general, particularly since OPACs are explicitly aimed at a wide variety of users. A hospital administrator might evaluate a library's strategies for integrated information management; system developers for banks, airports, retail outlets, etc. might evaluate an OPAC's screen design or command structure, to learn what interface features work well, or what will be familiar to users. Librarians and system designers can gain fresh perspectives on what works and what is confusing by becoming a "new user" on an unfamiliar system. SECTION 3: ROAD MAPS AND TRAVEL GUIDES Experienced travellers usually carry both road maps and travel guides since the strengths of each resource are not easily blended into one handy tool. The same division of labor prevails in the sources currently available for library resources on the Internet. At this point, the Internet traveller doesn't even have the option of choosing to sacrifice quality for the convenience of having both map and guide in the same place. Until an economical and timely way is devised to blend the two, the prospective Internet traveler must rely on one set of directories to identify resources connected to the Internet, and another set of reference sources to determine collection strengths. 3.1 THE ROAD MAPS: IDENTIFYING LIBRARY CATALOGS ON THE INTERNET Several directories have grown quickly in response to the need to identify Internet resources, largely as the result of individual interest and effort. Other directories are evolving more slowly under the auspices of groups with a stake in promoting the use of the Internet and assisting users. Your local computer center may be willing to subscribe to the guides that are available only in electronic format and make the updated versions available centrally. INTERNET-ACCESSIBLE LIBRARY CATALOGS AND DATABASES: Often referred to as the St. George directory, this source can probably claim to be the most comprehensive directory. It began with only library catalogs but has expanded to include sections on campus-wide information systems, and even bulletin board systems that are not on the Internet. The library catalog sections are divided into those that are free, those that charge, and international (i.e., non-U.S) catalogs; they are arranged by state, province, or country within each section. There is also a section giving dialup information for some of the library catalogs. Its main weakness is the lack of a standard format which makes it difficult at times to find the needed information; also, not all entries include the same type of data. Its informality is also its strength since contributors can provide whatever they like. Usually, information includes basic logon information (sometimes a copy of the screen giving system prompts and responses is listed), a contact person, and sometimes a description of what the catalog contains. The directory is updated periodically and announced on a number of listservers such as PACS-L, BI-L, CWIS-L and others. (See the articles by Caroline Arms in the bibliography in Appendix A for more information about listservers.) UNT'S ACCESSING ON-LINE BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATABASES: This directory is produced by Billy Barron, Systems Manager at the University of North Texas, as an aid to his user community. It complements the St. George guide by providing a standard format for all systems which lists the Internet address, logon instructions, the system vendor, and logoff information. The arrangement is alphabetic by organization name. An appendix lists the major OPAC vendors and provides basic search instructions for each (use it to update similar information in Appendix B of this guide). Separate lists provide contact persons for each system, and the numeric Internet addresses, a handy reference if your system can use only this form of address rather than the domain name. This directory is also updated periodically and announced on library-related listservers. INTERNET RESOURCE GUIDE: Sponsored by the National Science Foundation Network Service Center (NNSC), this directory points to the wider world of resources on the Internet. Its section on library catalogs is much smaller than either the St. George or Barron guides, but some listings contain more descriptive information. Other sections cover computational resources, data archives, white pages or directory sources for individual network users, networks and e-mail gateways, network information centers, and a miscellaneous section. Sections are updated periodically, and it is possible to subscribe to the updates. The directory is mounted as a searchable database on the CARL system in Colorado. Issue a Telnet command to pac.carl.org or 192.54.81.128 and choose the section on Information Databases. "SEARCHING LIBRARY CATALOGS ON THE INTERNET: A SURVEY": UCLA librarians Karen Andrews and Aggi Raeder take you through a practical tour of the library catalogs on the Internet listed in the St. George guide (at the time, about 40 were included). Using a set of standard queries, they tested each system and tried to download the results. The narrative part of the article gives practical advice for getting on, getting help, and getting around in the different systems. The directory listings at the end of the article include system name and Internet address, mailing address, logon procedures, type of system, dial-in information when available, library size, special features, how to get help, downloading procedure, and evaluative comments. SEARCH SHEETS FOR OPACS ON THE INTERNET: Again using the St. George directory as a source, Marcia Henry has compiled detailed information on library catalogs using a format similar to the DIALOG Blue Sheets. Basic logon and logoff information and a brief description of the system's contents precede a chart listing commands, indexes, and examples of searches. The book is in press at the time of this writing, but we have seen a preview of the entries. The publisher, Meckler, plans to provide updates and corrections in its newsletter, Research and Education Networking. SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS: Software developers are producing tools based on one or more of the directories listed above to facilitate locating library catalogs. These software solutions range from a way to consult the directories from your personal computer to gateways that provide directory information and initiate a connection, with even more sophisticated front-end help on the horizon. See Section 3.5 for more information. . For IBM-compatible personal computers, a hypertext utility called HYTELNET permits easy browsing of the systems listed in the St. George directory and those found in the Barron directory described above. It is also possible to customize the program by adding other sites or updating those sites already listed. This memory-resident utility does not initiate a connection, but can be a handy replacement for the printed copies of the directories on which it is based. New releases appear periodically with corrections and additions. Available: Via FTP from several hosts including vaxb.acs.unt.edu, directory library, filename HYTELN30.ZIP (release 4.1 scheduled for Fall 1991). Contact: Peter Scott, University of Saskatchewan, at scott@sklib.usask.ca for further information on retrieving and installing the program, and to sign up for a messaging service for exchange of corrections and additions to the current version. . For Microsoft Windows 3.0, a hypertext version of the Barron directory called CATALIST permits easy searching by geographic location or name. It can be run alongside any Windows compatible communications software so that you can use CATALIST in one window and log in to use telnet in another window. It also allows you to take notes about a library catalog or even copy screens or other information from the library catalog and store it with the directory information. Available: Via FTP from host zebra.acs.udel.edu, directory pub/library or host vaxb.acs.unt.edu, directory library/catalist. Contact: Richard H. Duggan, University of Delaware, at duggan@brahms.udel.edu. . For UNIX or VMS hosts, a shell script called LIBTEL lists most of the entries in the St. George guide, including some of the other types of databases and bulletin boards. It initiates the connection to the requested system. Available: Via FTP from host ftp.oit.unc.edu, directory pub/docs, filename libtel. The UNIX version and a VMS version are also located at host vaxb.acs.unt.edu, directory library, filename libtel (for the UNIX version) or libtel.com (for the VMS version). Contact: At the University of North Carolina, Terry Mancour at mancour@samba.oit.unc.edu or Paul Jones at pjones@mento.oit.unc.edu. . For VAX/VMS systems, software is available for mounting the St. George directory. The software makes it easy to select the appropriate section of the directory, provides basic information about the system when available, summarizes logon and logoff commands, and presents the option to initiate a connection. Available: Via FTP on host sonoma.edu, directory pub, filename libs.com. Contact: Mark Resmer, Sonoma State University, at resmer@sonoma.edu for more information or to be included on a mailing list for future updates. 3.2 REFERENCES FOR THE ROAD MAPS Barron, Billy. UNT's Accessing On-Line Bibliographic Databases. Denton, TX: University of North Texas, 1991. [Available via FTP on host vaxb.acs.unt.edu (129.120.1.4), in directory library] Henry, Marcia. Search Sheets for OPACS on the Internet. Westport, CT: Meckler, 1991. National Science Foundation Network Service Center. Internet Resource Guide. Cambridge, MA: NSF Network Service Center, 1989. [Available via FTP on host nnsc.nsf.net, directory resource-guide, or via e-mail request to resource-guide-request@nnsc.nsf.net] Raeder, Aggi W., and Karen L. Andrews. "Searching Library Catalogs on the Internet: A Survey." Database Searcher 6, no. 7 (Sept. 1990): 16-31. St. George, Art and Ron Larsen. Internet-Accessible Library Catalogs and Databases. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico, 1991. [Available by e-mail message "GET LIBRARY PACKAGE" to listserv@unmvm.bitnet] 3.3 THE TRAVEL GUIDES: SOURCES FOR SELECTING LIBRARY CATALOGS ON THE INTERNET As more and more electronic resources are networked to end-users, questions of selection and choice arise. This poses a classic chicken-and-egg problem: an important reason for networking electronic resources is to compensate for inadequacies of traditional reference tools, but those same sources provide the foundation for choosing to connect to one or another OPAC on the Internet. Once past address and command-language issues, browsing all the available OPACs is hardly efficient. OPAC directories tend to focus on technical questions of addresses and compatibilities, with, sometimes, a few notes about local resources or notable collection strengths; these are rarely comprehensive and are usually written by automation, not collection-development specialists. The scholar who already knows, say, that the University of Texas at Austin has a flagship Latin American studies collection will know to choose it when that subject is desired. But how does the novice break in, until such time as directories can flag individual OPACs in enough detail? The following sources provide some interim assistance. Reference librarians can advise on which of these to use, and often know of better sources for specific needs. Some caveats should be noted, however: -- Online catalogs may be incomplete. Older materials in many library collections have not yet been converted to a format that can be read by computers, and thus many not be represented in online catalogs. Some online catalogs indicate how much of the library's collection is included, but others provide no warning. -- These sources emphasize the United States and Canada. The number of catalogs from other countries available on the Internet is steadily growing. Reference librarians can assist in locating descriptiongs of their collection strengths. -- Remember the national union catalogs. The alternative to sifting through subject guides and using several different online catalogs is to search the large databases that approach being a national union catalog, representing the collections of most libraries nationwide. OCLC and RLIN are both on the Internet, although there is a fee for their use. The Library of Congress's system is also available through a number of state libraries, and may become more accessible in the future. SUBJECT COLLECTIONS: The standard print resource for someone confronting questions of "who's strongest in what I want" is Ash and Miller's SUBJECT COLLECTIONS (6th ed., 1985.) It is compiled from questionnaires sent to libraries, and suffers from the usual consequences of that method: entries are often outdated, have gaps from non-respondents, and depend on widely varying levels of detail supplied to the compilers. Entries, by Library of Congress Subject Headings, can have glaring omissions. Major collections may not be mentioned--"Africa, South" includes Stanford/Hoover, but omits the other leading collection, at Yale (whose Latin American collection is extensively described elsewhere, however.) Worse than omission is partial description. The University of Florida's major strength in Latin American agriculture is duly noted, but to the exclusion of its equally important collection of that region's social science and humanities literatures. An apparently frequent routing of the questionnaires was to Special Collections administrators, with the misleading result that, for example, Africana manuscript collections at Columbia and Yale are listed, but outstanding monograph and serial collections are not. These special collections are even less likely to be found in online catalogs. An unavoidable limitation of SUBJECT COLLECTIONS is that, since the latest edition dates from 1985, the present goal of identifying electronic access to local catalogs couldn't have been envisioned. The would-be Internet OPAC tourist has to juggle the 2-volume SUBJECT COLLECTIONS with directories of accessible OPACs. Indeed, the work is so oriented to identifying collections within traditional library work patterns that it may even be shelved in the interlibrary loan office, rather than in the open reference collection. COLLEGE BLUE BOOK: This multi-volume work is not specifically about libraries, but it is widely available and complements other sources. It is completely inclusive of all accredited institutions of higher education, and lists degrees awarded by field. Institutions awarding a doctorate could be presumed to have stronger collections in a given subject than those granting lesser degrees. A significant limitation, though, is that fields are listed as particular institutions describe them; "Asian Civilization" is on a different page from "Asian Studies;" both are far from "East Asian Studies" and "Far Eastern Studies." None are cross-referenced to each other, yet all must be consulted to identify likely candidates for fruitful Internet access (as always, after ascertaining which OPACs are on Internet.) A GUIDE TO PUBLISHED LIBRARY CATALOGS (1982): Bonnie Nelson's guide provides citations to 429 library catalogs published during and after the 1960s, with detailed annotations. A value here is that one person has assessed the resources and identified strengths. Further, since the modern revival of book catalogs stemmed from particular photographic techniques, fully three-quarters of Nelson's citations are to catalogs published by the G.K. Hall company. Since they marketed catalogs of flagship or uniquely valuable collections, inclusion is an indication to an Internet user that OPAC versions of these catalogs would be excellent first choices if their collections have been converted for online access. As with SUBJECT COLLECTIONS, however, the date of Nelson's book means that the end user has to supply the awareness of which OPACs are on the Internet. RLG CONSPECTUS: The Research Libraries Group has attempted to address the question of collection strengths through its Conspectus, a detailed evaluation of members' collections in given subject areas, broken out in great detail according to Library of Congress Classification Numbers. The intent of the project was to facilitate resource sharing by allowing members to identify each others' strengths. The Conspectus evaluates collection strength and current collecting intensity on a 0-5 scale, ranging from 'out of scope' and 'minimal level' through to the categories of most interest here, 'research' and 'comprehensive' levels. Levels 4 and 5, respectively, indicate self-assessed collections capable of supporting doctoral dissertation research and those that "endeavor...to include all significant works of recorded knowledge...in all applicable languages, for a necessarily defined and limited field." Libraries whose collection in a given area is a 4 or (the quite-rare) 5 would be ideal Internet choices for such subjects. Leaving aside objections to the inherent value of the ratings themselves and problems of categorizing interdisciplinary strengths (cf. Henige 1987), the availability of the tool itself suffers from the same cart-before-the-horse problem as the books already mentioned. The Conspectus was conceived as a tool for subject bibliographers, reference librarians, and interlibrary loan staff; in other words, people with RLIN terminals readily to hand and with some level of prior knowledge about collections and institutions. Like the somewhat parallel collection measuring tool, the National Shelflist Count, published in microfiche, the Conspectus is primarily aimed at library 'insiders.' For reasons of sheer bulk (and because they are a component of a revenue-generating electronic database,) the Conspectus data exist, for all practical purposes, only in a file on RLIN, RLG's online database. More recently, RLG has been promoting end-user access to RLIN, especially by scholars, by offering individual accounts to faculty and by allowing gateways within online library catalogs. For the universe of end-users who have such access to RLIN, use of the online Conspectus would be the first step to identify OPACs to search. LIBRARY DIRECTORIES: Many library directories include descriptions of collection subject strengths, and some provide subject indexes. Directories also may aid the prospective researcher in preparing for an on-site visit. Although directories are abundant, the following two are worthy of specific mention: AMERICAN LIBRARY DIRECTORY: Updated every other year, this directory is the standard one for basic information on library size, organization, and brief descriptions of special collections. DIRECTORY OF SPECIAL LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTERS: An annual, multi-volume "Guide to More Than 19,800 Special Libraries, Research Libraries, Information Centers, Archives, and Data Centers Maintained by Government Agencies, Business, Industry, Newspapers, Educational Institutions, Nonprofit Organizations, and Societies...". Its detailed subject index identifies subject strengths of special collections that are independent or part of larger collections. OTHER SOURCES: As scope of interest narrows, the range of reference tools expands. Area studies fields typically have directories of resources; many scholarly associations publish guides to departments listing institutional strengths. Metropolitan areas often have union lists of serials or handbooks of library resources that inform readers about collections. OPACs that allow freetext keyword searching or browsing will turn up such tools with searches on the subject phrase "library resources" and the embedded qualifier "directories." ONLINE CATALOGS: Since most OPACs are designed for local constituencies, "help" and "explain" screens tend to aid understanding of the system, not the library it catalogs. Once libraries acknowledge that users may often be unfamiliar with their collections, and, indeed, once libraries accept their need for their own purposes to assess their strengths and weaknesses, then OPACs could routinely contain collection-description statements as menu choices, or could be "cataloged" on other OPACs as machine-readable data files with notable strengths tagged with subject headings. In the meantime, some strategies for assessing an OPAC while learning its commands might include some of the following. . Consult WELCOME SCREENS: Branch libraries and special collections are sometimes listed, and information on collections that are included or excluded may be explained. . Read MENUS and HELP SCREENS: Unusual and/or locally-created databases should be listed. They may be bibliographic, textual, or numeric, and often provide unique electronic resources. . Look for SPECIAL LOCATIONS or BRANCH LIBRARIES: Whether listed cryptically as part of a call number code or explicitly in information screens, these indicators of library organization can reveal collection strengths. . Conduct TOPICAL SEARCHES: Focused searches on topics of interest will provide a raw number to use as a gauge; limiting by language or date indicates range and currency of the collection. . BROWSE or SCAN call numbers, subjects, or authors: When this feature is possible, it can provide an overview of holdings in an area. 3.4 REFERENCES FOR THE TRAVEL GUIDES American Library Directory. New York: Bowker, biennial. Ash, Lee, William G. Miller, and Barbara J. McQuitty, compilers. Subject Collections: A Guide to Special Book Collections and Subject Emphases as Reported by University, College, Public, and Special Libraries and Museums in the United States and Canada. 6th ed rev. and enl. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1985. 2 v. The College Blue Book. Degrees Offered by College and Subject. 22nd ed. New York: Macmillan, 1989. 5 vols. Directory of Special Libraries and Information Centers. Detroit: Gale Research Inc., annual. Henige, David. "Epistemological Dead End and Ergonomic Disaster? The North American Collections Inventory Project." Journal of Academic Librarianship 13(4) (1987): 209-213. Nelson, Bonnie R. A Guide to Published Library Catalogs. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1982. 3.5 BEYOND ROAD MAPS AND TRAVEL GUIDES: GATEWAYS AND CLIENTS Once you have decided where you would like to go from a road map, imagine being able to point to the location and be transported there without knowing the intervening route. That is the kind of service that gateways provide to Internet "travelers." A gateway may be an online catalog or a computer running special software. It usually presents a list of available systems or successive menus that allow the user to eventually specify a particular system of interest. Once the user selects a system, the gateway usually initiates the connection, establishes an appropriate terminal emulation (if your emulation is supported in the remote system), and may complete the logon sequence without intervention. Once you are connected to the remote system, the local system gives up any control over your session. You must usually logoff the remote system or break the connection to return to your local system. A prime example of an online catalog that serves as a gateway to remote systems is the the University of California's MELVYL system. The MELYVL system offers a number of remote online catalogs and databases to its users through such a gateway. Dartmouth and the CARL system also provide gateways to other library catalogs and databases. Other library catalog systems are considering such a service, often to a select group of regional catalogs or other systems that complement the local collection. Other gateways operate independently of the online library catalog and may reside on a local mainframe or even on your microcomputer. Two of the "software solutions" listed in Section 3.1, LIBTEL and the software developed by Mark Resmer at Sonoma State University, take the information about systems listed in the St. George and/or Barron directories and present them in menu form. After selecting the system of interest and seeing the available directory information, you can request that a connection be initiated. These gateways do not currently perform the logon sequence, however. The CATALIST software also may initiate connections in the future. Now imagine that you can find what you want in your travels even if you do not know where to look for it (allowing you to throw away the maps and travel guides altogether). That is what the client/server model of network interaction promises Internet users. A client is a software program that runs on your local machine (often your desktop PC). It provides a consistent interface to the variety of databases and online files or archives that are called "servers." You formulate your query on your client software and specify (or perhaps eventually *it* will decide) which databases to query. The client software then connects to the database(s), submits a structured query and returns the results. To make such a scenario possible, standards are required for the interchange of data and the formulation of queries. The current standard for the interchange of data is NISO Z39.50. If the databases you wish to search support the standards required by your client software then you can successfully interact with them. If they do not, then you must connect to them directly and search them using each database's own interface. The Wide Area Information Server project of Thinking Machines and others is the acknowledged leader in providing this type of access to Internet databases. The WAIS (pronounced "ways") project has extended the Z39.50 standards to develop a client for the Macintosh microcomputer called "WAIStation". Using this client, you can connect to a variety of databases that support the WAIS protocols. The project is still in the experimental stage, but has been received enthusiastically and may develop quickly as a model for the future. The client software for the Macintosh is available via FTP at host quake.think.com, directory pub/wais. Thinking Machines is maintaining a Directory of Servers with descriptions of currently available sources. It can be searched with the client software just like any other server. The Barron guide is listed there with the database name "library". For those wanting to make their databases available, a UNIX version of the server software is also available via FTP at host think.com. To participate in an Internet discussion of WAIS developments, send a request to wais-interest-request@think.com. SECTION 4: USING SYSTEMS SUCCESSFULLY - SURVIVAL TIPS Once you have found your on-ramp to the Internet and decided what your itinerary will be, you are faced with the navigational details of making the connection and making the most of your trip. This section summarizes practical tips for the former and common sense suggestions for the latter. 4.1 MAKING AND BREAKING THE CONNECTION A. General Survival Tips The many dissimilar hardware and software environments interconnected by the Internet also create a technically complex path for the electronic traveler, making troubleshooting a serious challenge. But there are a number of techniques to keep in mind that can make the going less painful and your attempts to access remote systems more fruitful. Here are some suggestions, proceeding from the general to the specific. Avoid prime-time logins. Mid morning to late afternoon in the time zone of the remote host are the busiest times when both network traffic and contention in the remote system will be highest. On the whole, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern time, the Internet is at its busiest. Try off hours for best results. Use one of the most universal Terminal Types. Use VT100 terminal emulation wherever possible, the most universally supported terminal type. Try TN3270 for IBM environments (some VM/CMS systems require it). TN3270 is a variation on the Telnet protocol that handles full-screen emulation of an IBM 3270-type terminal. It consists of Telnet plus software to perform the translation to and from the 3270 protocols. Systems anticipating remote connections may offer a choice of terminal types or ask you to specify the type you are using. Others may not ask and may not be as flexible. If you are unable to change the terminal type, you may not be able to use some systems at all. If printing or downloading, you may need to use the "generic" terminal type if one is listed as an option when you connect to the system. Sometimes screen control characters for VT100s or other terminal types are picked up in printing or in downloaded files. The generic terminal type should be free of screen control information. Know the commands in your Telnet software. The Telnet protocol has been implemented on a variety of systems. Each is different, so specific commands depend on your version. However, all versions function similarly, so there are a few general guidelines to follow. B. Understanding Telnet The one common element across the disparate environments of the Internet is the TCP/IP software protocol suite, the basis of communications. Telnet, the terminal-handler portion of the TCP/IP protocol suite, is the cornerstone of this striking communications technology. Telnet handles the remote login to another Internet host, so it is useful to know something about the way it works. Telnet operates in a client/server environment in which one host (the computer you are using, running Client (User) Telnet) negotiates opening a session on another computer (the remote host, running Server Telnet). During the behind-the-scenes negotiation process, the two computers agree on the parameters governing the session. One of the first things they settle is the terminal type to be used -- in general, a line-by-line network virtual terminal, for simplicity's sake. Virtual terminal, in this context, refers to a set of terminal characteristics and sequences that both sides of a network connection agree to use to transmit data from terminals across the network, regardless of the terminal used. Finding Telnet Commands Try typing "help" or "?" at the Telnet prompt to get a list of the commands available in your Telnet software. Using Local versus Remote Commands Once you have established a remote session, all commands you type will be sent to the Server Telnet on the remote host for execution. If you want a Telnet command issued in the remote environment to be acted on locally by your client Telnet, on most systems you would normally precede the command with an escape sequence (a predetermined character or combination of characters that signal your Telnet software to execute the command that follows locally). For example, in NCSA Telnet for pc-compatible microcomputers, the F10 key is the escape character that alerts Telnet to execute locally the next command you type (to turn local echo on or off, or to toggle capture on or off, etc.). The Telnet escape sequence by itself followed by returns you temporarily to your local operating environment. On UNIX systems, the escape sequence is usually the control key (CNTL) and left bracket ([) pressed simultaneously. Logging On TELNET or TELNET followed by OPEN at the prompt. The basic command set is simple. You also need to know either the machine domain name or the machine Internet address (a series of numbers). The numbers will always work; the names will work if they are in a software table available to your version of Telnet. IBM systems that use TN3270 may require you to type a carriage return, "DIAL VTAM," or just "VTAM" in response to the first prompt from the remote system. Logging Off LOGOFF or LOGOUT (also try QUIT, END, EXIT, STOP, etc.) CLOSE, prefixed by the escape sequence. ABORT, prefixed by the escape sequence--use as a last resort! To exit the remote system, first try that system's logoff command. To determine what the appropriate logoff command is, check the menus, help, and welcome screens when you first log on. Oftentimes, the logoff information is listed there but not always easy to retrieve later. Logging off the remote system may return you to your primary operating environment (all the way out of Telnet), or you may be left in Telnet. If so, type "quit". But some information systems have no graceful exit for remote users. In that case, you have two options --- CLOSE or ABORT. CLOSE should be your next choice after LOGOFF. If you are unable to CLOSE the connection normally (e.g., if your remote session is hung), try the Telnet ABORT command to drop your connection locally. ABORT will return control to you in your local environment, but it may not properly terminate your session on the remote machine. Since this can leave the port on the remote machine busy for an indefinite period even though you are no longer using it, ABORT should be used only as a last resort. In either case, you can also try escaping back to your local environment and then issuing the termination commands. If one method doesn't work, try the other. Other commands may allow you to control your communications environment. Investigate the help systems both in your local Telnet and on the remote system at the outset. Using the BREAK Key Don't be hasty with the Break key. Too many Breaks may cause your Telnet session to be dropped! There is no standard BREAK key across versions of Telnet and in remote information systems. Telnet is based on the concept of a network virtual terminal, in which the control functions (breaks, etc.) are communicated with characters regardless of terminal type (rather than line conditions, used in the terminal server environment). Your local Telnet receives your break and sends out a character sequence which is reinterpreted on the other end, hopefully as the break you intended. Your Break may not always be understood by the remote system, so you should try HELP or ? when you begin (at the Telnet prompt) to determine what your version of Telnet uses as BREAK. Tips: In UNIX, CNTL-C may work for BREAK. In the Mac environment, BREAK may be a click down menu option or a character combination. In NCSA Telnet (a popular PC version), BREAK is F10 followed by a lower case letter "b". Using the Backspace Key The backspace character may not be recognized by the remote system. Investigate in your local Telnet how to set an erasing backspace. Type ? at the Telnet prompt, or SET ? for a list of possibilities. Adjusting the Settings to your Needs Most Telnet programs have the ability to SET or TOGGLE many of these settings on and off. Erasable backspace, local echo, carriage return interpretation ( or -- i.e., carriage return or carriage return with line feed), and the escape character you use to return to the local environment are things that you can usually SET or TOGGLE at the Telnet prompt. Type ? and use Telnet's internal help system to change a setting. Using Function Keys Remember that special function keys are local implementations and have no significance in a remote session. Function keys such as INSERT, DELETE, ERASE END-OF-FIELD, PF, and PA keys may not be recognized in the remote environment. Even though function keys and control key combinations may have significance on the remote system, they may vary from those on your local system. C. Downloading and Printing Once you connect to a catalog on the Internet, you may want to save or print the result of any search you perform. Using a personal computer or workstation, you can "download" or print on an attached printer what you can display on the screen. Downloading Downloading in this context is simply transferring information from a remote computer to your own by capturing the screen displays. In most cases, there is no error checking (which requires the remote system to interact with your microcomputer directly using the same software) to transfer (download) a file. However, each communication software package has some facility to capture what is displayed on the screen. Follow these general steps when using any communications software package to capture information: 1) Log on to the remote system as you normally would. 2) Perform a search to retrieve a set of citations or other information. 3) When the results are ready to be displayed, turn on the facility in your communications software to capture on disk what is displayed on the screen (i.e., the information coming over the communications line). The function name varies - it may be called receive, record, log, download, or capture. 4) Provide a name for the new file, when prompted by your software. 5) Type the display command or choose the menu selection to display the results on the screen. 6) On some systems, you may need to press RETURN to send your display command or selection to the remote system so that it will begin displaying the search results. 7) When the display has finished, turn off the capture facility. The information should now be saved on a disk, ready to be edited or printed. Printing Printing follows the same steps, but instead of using the capture function, activate your printer, either by turning it on or issuing a command to your communications software to print everything that displays on the screen. This method sends whatever is coming over the communications line both to your screen and printer. If the printer receives characters faster than it can digest them, you may get garbled output. Using remote systems, there is little you can do other than display a few screens or records at a time (rather than continuously) and wait for the printer to catch up. It is often easier to download the file and print it offline. Some systems (particularly IBM 3270 environments) do not use a simple ASCII communications stream over the communications line. Thus, screen capturing or logging may produce a file that is unreadable if viewed online or printed. In this case, you may have to "dump" a screen at a time to a file on your disk(ette) (often called a "log" file) or to the printer. Once the screen has displayed, you have to issue your communications software screen dump command for EACH screen wanted. Some systems offer an explicit print option which should generally be avoided. Usually, this option sends your search result to some centralized printer at the host institution. If the system does not verify that you are affiliated with the institution and lets you issue the print command, the results of your search may indeed be printed, but will not actually be sent to you, an unknown visitor via the network. This option is also sometimes imperfectly implemented so that when you select it as a remote user, your pc or terminal freezes up and must actually be restarted. Mailing Your Results Electronically A few systems offer the option of mailing search results to an electronic mailbox. This function is less likely to require that you be affiliated with the host institution, and may provide an alternate way to capture your search results for printing or storing. 4.2 SEARCH STRATEGIES -- UNDERSTANDING SYSTEM BASICS Using systems successfully involves not only becoming comfortable with making and breaking the connection, and capturing results, but also learning what a system has to offer. Experienced searchers use some common strategies for exploring and exploiting a new system. Most online catalogs fall within a few basic types, with the most variation in the actual operating mechanics. In other words, all systems will allow you to search, but what is the command for searching? Discovering the "rules" of a new system is the biggest hurdle. Appendix B lists basic search commands for some of the most frequently encountered brands or vendors of commercially supplied systems. Here are some other elements to watch out for as you approach new systems: -- interface style (e.g., menu-, command-, or icon-driven) -- content (e.g., Are books, journals, and recordings in the same file?) Is the whole collection online or are older materials not included? -- capability (e.g., searchable elements, displayable elements) -- operation (e.g., key words, exact phrase) -- terminology (e.g., find, search, look, or browse) -- operators (e.g., spaces, punctuation, parentheses, and, or, &,?,*,#) -- syntax (e.g., last name first?) -- context (e.g., You must find items before you can display them.) -- miscellaneous (e.g., Does the Backspace key work? Does Break work?) Some systems may be intuitively obvious to you and you will require little prompting or assistance. When this is not the case, try the following: Read the SCREENS: Often, some information about what is required in written somewhere on the screen. Often the opening screen offers the biggest hints about the using the system, but later screens offer clues as well, e.g., Type the number of your selection, followed by Enter. ==> Read the ERROR MESSAGES: These are the system's way of saying it did not understand your entry. Sometimes there are suggestions about how to correct the problem. x is not a command. Please re-enter your query. For a list of available commands, type ? ==> Get HELP: Many catalogs have help systems. These can range from a single-screen summary of commands to many screens of detailed technical information. In some cases, HELP is available only at certain times -- such as a Tutorial you can select from a menu -- or in other systems it can be requested at any point. The command for getting HELP is often "help", "?", or "h". Press RETURN: On many systems, when you seem to be stuck in an inexplicable error condition and can't get help, pressing RETURN will escape from the error and return you to a menu from which you can proceed. 4.3 BEYOND THE BASICS -- DISCOVERING THE REAL POWER OF AN ONLINE CATALOG Discovering how to execute basic searches is usually a simple matter. A given online catalog may have far more to offer, but the more advanced features are often less obvious. A little organized exploration is often rewarded by the discovery of easier or more powerful ways to use the system. Search for known items. Try a few basic searches to get the feel of a system. Look at the longest display to determine how much information is available. You might even devise a test script as a way to compare different systems, and learn what is common versus what is different. Expand on the basic commands. Once you know how to give a command, experiment with ways to modify it. If you can search one word, can you search two? search ti dog and cat Can you search two fields at the same time? search ti dog and au jones Can you display a record in different formats? show full Can you display different parts of a record? show author Can you display specific records? display 5 Look for features and capabilities beyond the obvious. Read the help screens and other documentation carefully for hints and clues. Are there special modes that provide extra features? e.g., a command mode that allows you to specify word order. Are there subsystems or subfiles available? e.g., a subfile for non-book materials such as audiovisuals. Can you use boolean operators? Can you truncate word stems or use "wild card" characters? e.g., catalog* to retrieve catalogs, cataloging; wom#n to retrieve woman, women Are there special limits? e.g., by language, by date, by media or format. Can you save search results for display or printing later? Can you sort or reformat results for printing? Can you mail search results to your electronic mailbox? Ask questions/make suggestions. Some systems provide the ability to send comments or questions online, and a few post answers or will respond directly. Even if your question is not answered directly, it may prompt the system designers to clarify instructions or resolve a problem. Rely on tried-and-true techniques. Good research methodology should work with any catalog. Search broad terms to find some relevant items; display full records to discover proper subject headings, alternative names, correct spelling or other key information; and then do a focused search. search title dogs or cats 1284 items found display full subject: domestic animals - care and feeding search subject domestic animals - care and feeding 24 items found Start narrow; look at full record for related terms; and expand search. search subject world war II - indian participation 5 items found display full subjects: indians of north america as soldiers world war II - indian participation search subject indians of north america as soldiers 26 items found Search topics by title if subject approach fails; expand as in above example. search ti=sick building syndrome 3 items found display long subjects: indoor air pollution office buildings--environmental aspects search su=indoor air pollution 22 items found Trust your own experience and judgement. You know more than you think you do. Be incredulous -- Don't believe the unbelievable "There are no books by Shakespeare in the catalog" - sure! Be persistent -- Back up and try again. If you think there is a way, there probably is. Be creative. There is more than one way to skin a catalog. SECTION 5: WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE - OTHER ONLINE RESOURCES As stated in the introduction, this section is meant to be representative, not comprehensive. The sources mentioned are only a sampling of other electronic destinations waiting to be explored via the remote login function. Many other sources are available via FTP, but are outside the scope of this guide. Consult sources in Section 1.3 for other possibilities. 5.1 COMPANION DATABASES TO ONLINE CATALOGS In addition to book and serials holdings, many online library catalogs provide access to locally mounted commercial databases or locally developed databases. The commercial databases range from major periodical and newspaper indexes such as MEDLINE or the National Newspaper Index, to encyclopedias and dictionaries, to current awareness and statistical sources. Due to contractual agreements, access to most of the commercial databases is restricted to the user community of the purchasing library. Occasionally, systems suppress the restricted databases from screens presented to Internet users; usually, systems offer them as choices, but Internet users who are not eligible for passwords are denied access. While it is natural to be frustrated, such limits are often necessary. Trying to crack restricted systems may be illegal and/or violate agreements required for use of local systems and the Internet. Examples of locally developed databases include a song index; indexes to local newspapers; library pathfinders; an index to television scripts; and regional statistics. These databases generally are open to outside users with no restrictions. Consult RASD Occasional Paper 8, "Survey of Libraries Providing Locally Mounted Databases," (MARS Direct Patron Access to Computer-Based Reference Systems Committee, 1991) for a recent overview of these types of resources. 5.2 CAMPUS-WIDE INFORMATION SYSTEMS In addition to over 100 online library catalogs, the Internet also provides access to a growing number of campus-wide information systems. A current list of such systems is provided at the end of each release of "Internet- Accessible Library Catalogs and Databases." An electronic conference which discusses campus-wide information systems is maintained on the listserver at CWIS-L@WUVMD.BITNET. Campus-wide information systems available on the Internet include Columbia, Cornell's CUINFO, MIT TECHINFO, New Mexico State University NMSU/INFO, NYU, PNN - Princeton News Network, University of New Mexico UNM_INFO, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill INFO. The types of information and search capabilities provided by these systems vary widely. Common components include library hours; local campus news and information; activities and events calendars; directories of staff, services, organizations and computing facilities; course schedules and catalogs; employment and financial aid opportunities; and descriptions of the campus, academic programs and various policies. Several online library catalogs have or are developing some of the components found in campus-wide information systems, so the two types of resources are not mutually exclusive. 5.3 SPECIALIZED INFORMATION DATABASES The offerings of the Internet extend far beyond library catalogs. You can also reach various databases sponsored by other organizations, many with reference value. Many systems do not require a password, and for those that do, obtaining a password is often as simple as filling out an application. It is difficult to categorize these databases since they are hybrids. They are often co-sponsored by government agencies and university departments, or funded by grants. Their content ranges from full text documents to statistics, and can include directories of researchers, bibliographies, schedules of research activities, or information on research in progress. They are also more difficult to identify than library catalogs since they are not tied together with a common administrative structure or service goal. The Internet Resource Guide (see Section 3) and various network information centers are currently the best resources for finding out about these databases. Information may be posted to various listservers as they are discovered. A few examples of these databases illustrate the variety of sources available. Most of the databases listed below can be found in the Internet Resource Guide. PENpages: A database of agricultural and nutritional information produced by Pennsylvania State University with support from USDA, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Rutgers University. Information ranges from statistics to the full text of newspapers and documents. Includes a daily overview of national agricultural news, plus the ability to do subject searching of keywords. DARTMOUTH DANTE: Supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, this evolving database includes 32 commentaries--all in their original language--and the full text of Dante's DIVINE COMEDY. The database uses BRS search software, and offers a variety of search and display options. OCEANIC: Includes reports on two major projects, the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) and the Span Physics Analysis Network (SPAN) plus such diverse entries as research ship schedules and bibliographic references. This is a specialized database maintained by the University of Delaware's College of Marine Studies. GEOGRAPHIC NAME SERVER: Contains standard information such as population, latitude/longitude, and zipcode for over 150,000 cities (mainly U.S.) and selected geographic locations (lakes, mountains, etc.) This is not the most "user-friendly" system, but is helpful for those with long lists to search. Information was obtained from the U.S. Geodetic Survey and the U.S. Postal Service. JOHNS HOPKINS GENETIC DATABASES: Several public databases, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the National Library of Medicine, and the Welch Medical Library, provide data related to human genetics. The following databases are the best known, and provide complementary information on gene mapping and genetic diseases. Both have easy-to-use interfaces for generalists. Users must apply for passwords. Genome Data Base (GDB)--Devoted to human chromosome mapping. Designed to collect, organize, and disseminate data on gene mapping generated by scientists. Online Mendelian Inheritance In Man (OMIM)--Devoted to inherited disorders and traits. Contains continuously updated text of Dr. Victor McKusick's classic text, MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN. APPENDIX A LIBRARIES AND NETWORK RESOURCES: ADDITIONAL READINGS Though the number of publications on research and professional communication networks continues to increase, many of these deal with network development rather than focusing on specific resources that networks can provide. Consequently, little has been written concerning library online catalogs available on the Internet (with the exception of the Raeder and Andrews article discussed in Section 3). The following bibliography therefore identifies recent literature which provides general information and addresses library public service applications of the Internet. Arms, Caroline R. "A New Information Infrastructure." Online 14, no.5 (Sept. 1990): 15-22. Arms provides a basic introduction to national networks with a brief discussion of the Internet, BITNET, and the National Research and Education Network (NREN), with an emphasis on the implications of this "wired" environment for librarians and scholars. Arms, Caroline R. "Using the National Networks: BITNET and the Internet." Online 14 no.5 (Sept. 1990): 24-29. Addressing both 'why' and 'how-to,' this article describes electronic mail, bulletin boards, downloading files, and logging in to remote library systems. Britten, William A. "BITNET and the Internet: Scholarly Networks for Librarians." College and Research Libraries News 51, no.2 (Feb. 1990): 103-107. In addition to providing tips on accessing Internet resources, Britten provides an annotated "networkography" of fifteen documents and services representing a sampling of different types of network resources (e.g., PACS-L, Link Letter) of interest to librarians. Engel, Genevieve. "Internet Instruction: Teaching Users About Remote Library Databases." Cataloging and Classification Quarterly 13, no.3/4 (in press); published simultaneously in Enhancing Access to Information: Building Catalogs for the Future, edited by David A. Tyckoson, Haworth Press (in press). This article enumerates some of the major issues facing the user of remote information resources, and discusses these issues in the context of bibliographic instruction for Internet use. Kalin, Sally W. and Tennant, Roy. "Beyond OPACS...the Wealth of Information Resources on the Internet." Database 14, no. 4 (August 1991). This article describes strategies for identifying non-bibliographic databases on the Internet. The authors discuss issues such as access problems, ethics, evaluation, support and training. They highlight selected databases with brief descriptions and access instructions. Kibbey, Mark and Nancy Evans. "The Network is the Library." EDUCOM Review 24, no.3 (Fall 1989): 15-20. Defining the ideal electronic library as a range of services and collections made accessible through networks, Kibbey and Evans focus on the network as the foundation for the delivery of information services, and on the aspects of network development that directly affect electronic library development. Library Perspectives on NREN: The National Research and Education Network. Ed. by Carol A. Parkhurst. Chicago: American Library Association, Library and Information Technology Association, 1990. This collection of articles includes papers from the 1990 LITA President's Program, focusing on libraries and the National Research and Education Network. Other topics include NREN legislation and chronology, visions of a national network and its impact on academic, special and public libraries, a glossary, and bibliography (described below under Saule). Lynch, Clifford A., and Cecilia M. Preston. "Internet Access to Information Resources." In Annual Review of Information Science and Technology 26 (1990): 263-312. Following an overview of the development of computer networks within the U.S. and the evolution of the Internet, Lynch and Preston discuss information resources on the Internet and technology for network access to information resources. Nielsen, Brian. "Finding it on the Internet: The Next Challenge for Librarianship." Database 13 (Oct. 1990): 105-107. Nielsen raises the issue of the "reinvention" of librarianship to take into account electronic communication as a major means of knowledge dissemination, and discusses what is on the Internet (including online catalogs), and implications for reference librarians and catalogers. Rockman, Ilene F. "Reference Uses of Campus Computer Networks: A Bibliographic Guide." Reference Services Review 18, no.2 (Summer 1990): 39-44. In an effort to keep reference librarians abreast of the growing number of information networks currently available, Rockman presents a brief introduction to eleven prominent networks including ARPANET, BITNET, and Internet. She also provides an annotated bibliography of publications from 1988-1990 dealing with networks and libraries, and a selected directory of networks, with addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Saule, Mara. "Research and Educational Networking: A Bibliography." In Library Perspectives on NREN: The National Research and Education Network. Ed. by Carol A. Pankhurst. Chicago: American Library Association, Library and Information Technology Association, 1990. pp.67-68. Saule's selective bibliography lists over thirty items published between 1988-1990 about telecommunications networks and their implications for libraries, research, and professional communication. APPENDIX B: SYSTEM MODELS Most online public access catalogs are produced by commercial vendors of library automation products, although the vendor name may not appear online as part of the user interface. Most vendors offer some options to libraries to customize the system for their own needs which can further obscure a system's origins. If you can learn to recognize some of the distinctive characteristics of a system, however, it may be easier to get started on a new system. In the future, it may not be necessary to be "multi-lingual" to search multiple online catalogs. The implementation of two national standards promise to ease the transition from one system to another. The NISO Z39.58 standard, known as the Common Command Language, is already supported by some vendors and homegrown systems. This standard means that certain command names are supported even if the system also supports synonyms, additional commands, or even an entirely different interface. The NISO Z39.50 standard specifies a protocol by which computers can exchange search queries and search results. The user can issue search requests in the language or style of the "home" system, and the translation takes place behind the scenes. Several projects are in the developmental stages at this time. This appendix profiles the major vendors of library systems on the Internet. For each vendor listing, Part A provides a sample welcome screen, although keep in mind that details may vary from library to library; Part B describes the major search features and commands. Vendors modify and upgrade their software periodically, so expect changes to appear. The basics of any system are likely to remain, even when systems are upgraded. Check the directory maintained by Billy Barron (see Section 3) for updates and additions. User groups exist for most of the vendors. We thank them for reviewing this section and providing additional information. I. DATA RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (DRA) A. INTRODUCTORY SCREEN TO SEARCH BY: TYPE: FOR EXAMPLE: TO ACTIVATE: Subject S= S=computer animation Press Title T= T=computer animation Press Author A= A=fox david Press Call Number C= C=tr897.5 Press IF YOU NEED HELP ?? ?? Press To find LIBRARY LOCATIONS ?? ?? Press KEYWORD K K Press B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION Title searches: Use the t= search command followed by the title. EXAMPLE: t=guns of august In KEYWORD mode, type fi ti EXAMPLE: fi ti guns august Author searches: Use the a= search command followed by author. EXAMPLE: a=woolf virginia In KEYWORD mode, type fi au <author> EXAMPLE: fi au woolf virginia Subject heading searches: Use the s= search command followed by the subject. EXAMPLE: s=stars In KEYWORD mode, type fi su <subject words> EXAMPLE: fi su sun stars Keyword searches: Type k <RETURN>. This begins command language searching. See instructions above for entering commands. Call number searches: Use the c=search command followed by call number. Boolean: AND, OR, NOT available in KEYWORD mode. Truncation: ? is a wildcard at the end of words. EXAMPLE: Superconduct? # is wildcard within words. EXAMPLE: wom#n Help: Type ?? in menu search mode, or he in KEYWORD search mode. II. DYNIX Currently, Dynix is represented by two British, one Australian and one U.S. system on the Internet. A. INTRODUCTORY SCREEN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY PUBLIC ACCESS MODE Welcome to the online catalogue. Select one of the searches below: 1. Title words 2. Title Alphabetical list 3. Author 4. Subject words 5. Series 6. Class mark (Shelf mark) 7. Reserve book room 8. Review Patron Record 9. Quit searching Enter your selection (1-9) and press <Return> : Commands: ? = Help, BB = Bulletin Board B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION Title searches: If exact title is known, choose number 2 from main menu. If only some words from a title are known, choose number 1 from the main menu. Author searches: Choose appropriate number from main menu. Subject searches: Choose appropriate number from main menu. Keyword searches: Choose appropriate number from main menu. Some systems will look for terms in the subject field, some in title field, as indicated on the menu. Call number searches: Choose appropriate number from main menu (Class mark, for UK libraries). Boolean: AND available to limit, when large amount of records retrieved through keyword searches. Truncation: Type "?" at the end of a term to truncate. EXAMPLE: dream? (retrieves dream, dreaming, dreams, etc.) Typing ?? at the end of a word retrieves a list of words possible with your truncation. EXAMPLE: dream?? (retrieves list of terms in the database beginning with dream) Help: Type ? at the main menu. III. GEAC GEAC is represented by over 15 library systems on the Internet, most of which are United Kingdom libraries (part of the JANET system), plus some major U.S. libraries. A. SAMPLE SCREEN What type of search do you wish to do? 1. TIL - Title, journal title, series title, etc. 2. AUT - Author, illustrator, editor, organization, etc. 3. A-T - Combination of author and title. 4. SUB - Subject heading assigned by library. 5. NUM - Call number, ISBN, ISSN, etc. 6. KEY - One word taken from a title, author or subject. B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION Title searches: Choose number 1 from main menu or type TIL/How to Succeed in Business Author searches: Choose number 2 from main menu or type AUT/Friedman Subject heading searches: Choose number 4 from main menu or type SUB/Agriculture Keyword searches: Choose number 6 from main menu or type KEY/success Call number searches: Choose number 5 from main menu or type NUM/lb110b64 Boolean: Select BOL from main menu. Not available on all systems. AND, OR, NOT operators available. Use either & or <SPACE> for AND, / for OR, ! for not. Truncation: Use # to truncate a word. EXAMPLE: horse# (retrieves horse, horses, etc.) Help: Type "help", "command help" for command overview, or "advanced help" for advanced instructions. IV. INNOVATIVE INTERFACES, INC. Innovative is represented by at least six U.S. university libraries on the Internet. A. SAMPLE SCREEN You may search for library materials by any of the following: A > Author T > Title W > WORDS in title/author S > SUBJECT HEADING L > LC CALL NUMBER D > DEWEY CALL NUMBER G > GOVT. DOC NUMBER R > RESERVE Lists I > Library INFORMATION - NEWS Q > QUIT Choose one (A,T,W,S,L,D,G,R,I,Q) : B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION Title searches: Select "T" at the main menu. Type complete or beginning of title. EXAMPLE: History of the amer Subject heading searches: Select "S" at the main menu. Type subject heading. EXAMPLE: agriculture Author searches: Select "A" at the main menu. Type author's name in the format: lastname, firstname. Keyword: Select "W" at the main menu. Not available on all library systems. Note that for some libraries, a keyword search retrieves your terms only if they appear in the title, while for others, terms are retrieved from author, title, or subject fields. The sample screen above indicates that Keyword searches the author and title fields. Within keyword searching, the boolean operator AND is the default; the boolean operator OR can be used in two-term search statements. Call number searches: Select "L" (Library of Congress) at the main menu. Not available on all library systems. Some libraries offer different types of call number searches such as Dewey, or Government Documents number as in the sample screen above. Boolean: Uses AND, OR operators through the LIMIT selection of the secondary menu. Truncation: System assumes truncation in all search strategies except keyword. If you do NOT want truncation, use the : (pipe) symbol (i.e., cat: to search only the work cat). In keyword, if you DO want truncation, use the * (asterisk) symbol (i.e., cat* to search cat, catalog, category, etc.) Help: No special help functions, but system is menu driven and choices are obvious. V. NOTIS NOTIS is represented by at least 40 library catalogs of major universities. Release 5.0 of NOTIS software allows libraries to customize the presentation, so more variations may be encountered as libraries take advantage of this flexibility. A. INTRODUCTORY SCREEN: <NAME OF LIBRARY SYSTEM> can be used to find bibliographic information, location, and call number for materials held by <NAME OF LIBRARY>. To search type: COMMAND RETURN title: t=your title RETURN author: a=your author RETURN subject: s=your subject RETURN keyword: k=your subject RETURN Users familiar with <LIBRARY SYSTEM> may enter a search request on any screen. To correct a mistake, backspace over the error or CLEAR to start over. TYPE news FOR LIBRARY-SYSTEM NEWS. TYPE hrs FOR LIBRARY hours. TYPE srvc FOR LIBRARY SERVICE AREAS and LOCATIONS. TYPE COMMAND AND PRESS RETURN > B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION Title searches: t=foundations of health or t=foundations Author searches: a= asimov or a= asimov, isaac Subject searches: s=agriculture or s=agriculture--united states Keyword searches: k=car and driver NOTE: Each library chooses its own operator as the default. In some libraries "k=car driver" retrieves all items with the words car AND driver; in other libraries, the search would retrieve car ADJ driver or car WITH driver. It is probably best to type the operator you desire to insure proper results. Call number searches: c=rc493g543 Became available with release 5.0; not all systems will offer it yet. Boolean: Uses AND, OR, NOT. EXAMPLE: t=cars and accidents or k=computer and not ibm Truncation: System assumes truncation in author, title, and subject heading searches. For keyword searches, use "$" as the wildcard. EXAMPLE: librar$ to retrieve library, libraries, librarians, etc. Help: On most screens, use the h command. Or, for explanations of various commands, type <command> and <RETURN>. EXAMPLE: k=<RETURN> VI. VTLS VTLS is represented by at least five U.S. universities on the Internet. A. INTRODUCTORY SCREEN ***Welcome to the University Library Online Catalog*** The system may be approached using the following commands: 1. Author Search Enter A/ and the author's name (last name first) EXAMPLE: A/Hemingway, Ernest 2. Title Search Enter T/ and the title. (omit any leading articles: THE,A AN,LA,L',DER...) EXAMPLE: T/Sun also rises 3. Call Number Search Enter C/ and the call number. EXAMPLE: C/TL725.3 T7 J6 4. Subject Search Enter S/ and the subject term(s). EXAMPLE: S/Metals 5. Key Word Search Enter W/ and the word to be searched. EXAMPLE: W/Computers 6. System Information Display HOURS OF SYSTEM AVAILABILITY For more detailed information about any of the above searches, enter the LINE NUMBER. B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION Title searches: Use the T/ search command followed by the title. EXAMPLE: T/Pickwick Papers Author searches: Use the A/ search command followed by author. EXAMPLE: A/Dickens, Charles Subject heading searches: Use the S/ command followed by the subject heading. EXAMPLE: S/Poetry Keyword searches: Use the W/ command followed by keyword. EXAMPLE: W/surveys Use B/ (see below) for multiple words. Call number searches: Use the C/ command or the H/ command followed by call number. EXAMPLE: C/UA770 Boolean: Uses AND, OR, NOT operators; not available on all systems. Use the B/ command followed by a keyword, an operator, and a second keyword. EXAMPLE: B/sun or moon B/animal and environment Truncation: N/A Help: To see help, enter the line number on the main menu for which you would like more information, or type /HELP. VII. HOMEGROWN SYSTEMS A number of large university libraries have written their own search software and/or user interface. Since there are only so many ways to initiate a search, these home-grown systems often use commands similar to those in commercial systems. Some of them support the Common Command Language standard (NISO Z39.58). Basic searches are generally in the form: FIND <index name> <search terms>, The DISPLAY command displays the results. Many are completely menu-driven and thus easy to learn. One or two have so few commands that the first word or phrase you enter is simply treated as your search term, and the results are displayed automatically. Home-grown systems tend to be more generous with help screens and other information to help users learn features and commands. If you follow the advice in Section 3 on search strategies, you will probably be able to master home-grown systems with little difficulty. Following are examples of various commands on sample homegrown systems: INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION Title Searches: f ti (find title, followed by title) ti (followed by title) f x ti (find exact title, followed by title) f tt (find term(s), or keyword(s) in title) Author Searches: f au (find author, followed by author's name) f ai (find the author's name in an alphabetical index) f at (find a word in the author field) n (name, followed by author's name) NOTE: Most systems prefer lastname, firstname. Subject Heading Searches: f su (find specific subject heading) f st (find term(s), or word(s) in subject field) f me (find MeSH subject heading) Keyword Searches: There are great differences between systems here. Some systems ask you to specify which field to search as keywords. Some automatically search the author, title, subject, or even notes fields. You may have to try a few sample searches and examine the results to determine how each system works. Here are some of the many possibilities: kti (keyword in titles) bro (browse an alphabetical list of terms) kw (search for keyword in fields designated by the system) te (search for keyword, or term, in fields designated by the system) Call Number Searches: f ca (note that some systems use "ca" for corporate author) ca f cl Boolean: Where boolean is available, AND, OR, NOT are usually all possible operators. There are a few exceptions where only one or two of these operators are available. Many systems allow you to search for terms from various fields. e.g., f su alaska and ti frontiers This would be a very different search than the following: f alaska and frontiers Some systems allow for nesting of terms as follows: find ksh coffee and (brazil or columbia) Truncation: Some systems assume truncation. e.g., f kw america-- also retrieves keyword americas Other symbols used for truncation are: ? (f librar?) # (f te car#) * (f su business*) $ (f kti lonel$) Some systems allow for internal "wildcard" symbols: f su wom?n Help: Most systems use "help" or "explain". Often "help" or "h" are used for context specific help. "Explain" is most often used to generally describe a function, e.g. "explain keyword" (to learn how do keyword searches in the system). APPENDIX C GLOSSARY OF TERMS FOR INTERNET RESOURCES Anonymous FTP (File Transfer Protocol) -- The procedure of connecting to a remote computer, as an anonymous or guest user, in order to transfer public files back to your local computer. (See also: FTP and Protocols) BITNET -- A cooperative computer network interconnecting over 2,300 academic and research institutions in 32 countries. Originally based on IBM's RSCS networking protocol, BITNET supports mail, mailing lists, and file transfer. Now merging with CSNET and running the RSCS protocol over TCP/IP protocol (BITNET II), the network will be called Computer Research and Education Network (CREN). Client-Server Interface -- A program that provides an interface to remote programs (called clients), most commonly across a network, in order to provide these clients with access to some service such as databases, printing, etc. In general, the clients act on behalf of a human end-user (perhaps indirectly). CREN -- Computer Research and Education Network is the new name for the merged computer networks, BITNET and Computer Science Network (CSNET). It supports electronic mail and file transfer. Domain Name System (DNS) -- The Internet naming scheme which consists of a hierarchical sequence of names, from the most specific to the most general (left to right), separated by dots, for example nic.ddn.mil. (See also: IP address) Downloading -- The electronic transfer of information from one computer to another, generally from a larger computer to a smaller one, such as a microcomputer. Electronic Bulletin Board -- A shared file where users can enter information for other users to read or download. Many bulletin boards are set up according to general topics and are accessable throughout a network. FTP -- File Transfer Protocol allows a user to transfer files electronically from remote computers back to the user's computer. Part of the TCP/IP/TELNET software suite. Gateway -- Used in different senses (e.g., Mail Gateway, IP Gateway), but most generally, a computer that forwards and routes data between two or more networks of any size. Host Computer -- In the context of networks, a computer that directly provides service to a user. In contrast to a network server, which provides services to a user through an intermediary host computer. Internet -- The series of interconnected networks that includes local area, regional, and national backbone networks. Networks in the Internet use the same telecommunications protocol (TCP/IP) and provide electronic mail, remote login, and file transfer services. IP (Internet protocol) -- The Internet standard protocol that provides a common layer over dissimilar networks, used to move packets among host computers and through gateways if necessary. IP Address -- The numeric address of a computer connected to the Internet; also called Internet address. Listserve Lists (or listservers) -- Electronic discussion of technical and nontechnical issues conducted by electronic mail over BITNET using LISTSERV protocols. Similar lists, often using the UNIX readnews or rn facilty, are available exclusively on the Internet. Internet users may subscribe to BITNET listservers. Participants subscribe via a central service, and lists often have a moderator who manages the information flow and content. NIC (Network Information Center) -- A NIC provides administrative support, user support, and information services for a network. NREN -- The National Research and Education Network is a proposed national computer network to be built upon the foundation of the NSF backbone network, NSFnet. NREN would provide high speed interconnection between other national and regional networks. SB 1067 is the legislative bill proposing NREN. OPAC -- Online Public Access Catalog, a term used to describe any type of computerized library catalog. OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) -- This is the evolving international standard under development at ISO (International Standards Organization) for the interconnection of cooperative computer systems. An open system is one that conforms to OSI standards in its communications with other systems. Protocol -- A mutually determined set of formats and procedures governing the exchange of information between systems. Remote Access -- The ability to access a computer from outside a building in which it is housed, or outside the library. Remote access requires communications hardware, software, and actual physical links, although this can be as simple as common carrier (telephone) lines or as complex as Telnet login to another computer across the Internet. Shareware -- Microcomputer software, distributed through public domain channels, for which the author expects to receive compensation. TCP/IP -- Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is a combined set of protocols that performs the transfer of data between two computers. TCP monitors and ensures correct transfer of data. IP receives the data from TCP, breaks it up into packets, and ships it off to a network within the Internet. TCP/IP is also used as a name for a protocol suite that incorporates these functions and others. TELNET -- A portion of the TCP/IP suite of software protocols that handles terminals. Among other functions, it allows a user to log in to a remote computer from the user's local computer. Terminal Emulation -- Most communications software packages will permit your personal computer or workstation to communicate with another computer or network as if it were a specific type of terminal directly connected to that computer or network. Terminal Server -- A machine that connects terminals to a network by providing host TELNET service. TN3270 -- A version of TELNET providing IBM full-screen support. Z39.50 Protocol -- Name of the national standard developed by the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) that defines an applications level protocol by which one computer can query another computer and transfer result records, using a canonical format. This protocol provides the framework for OPAC users to search remote catalogs on the Internet using the commands of their own local systems. Projects are now in development to provide Z39.50 support for catalogs on the Internet. SR (Search and Retrieval), ISO Draft International Standard 10162/10163 is the international version of Z39.50. APPENDIX D AN FTP PRIMER Although this guide does not attempt to address the many resources available via FTP (File Transfer Protocol), it is impossible to discuss any type of resource on the Internet without mentioning the supporting information available exclusively via FTP. Because so many of the documents recommended in the guide exist only as an online file, these brief instructions on using FTP are provided. Be sure to check with local system administrators, library staff, or other support groups for specific information. FTP provides the capability to connect to a remote computer, execute a few simple commands (such as listing the directory), and copy files to or from the remote computer very quickly. To accomplish these tasks it is necessary to connect to the machine you wish to transfer files to or from. Normally you would be allowed only to transfer files to or from your own accounts, but some computer administrators have set aside areas on their machines which can be accessed anonymously (i.e., without an identification or password) for the purpose of distributing documents, software, and other files. To use anonymous FTP, logon to your computer account as usual. Enter the command "ftp <machine name or numeric address>". When you are prompted to logon, enter "anonymous". When you are prompted for your password, enter "guest" or your name and node. You should now be connected to the remote machine and can use ftp commands to look at the directories and transfer files. For example, to obtain the Internet Resource Guide, follow these steps: Connect to nnsc.nsf.net using the command: ftp nnsc.nsf.net Log in as: anonymous Give as your password: guest Type: cd resource-guide Type: get README Type: quit Basic FTP Commands Type "help" or "?" for a list of FTP commands or consult documentation. Below are a few of the most frequently used commands. ftp <machine> -initiates an ftp connection with the named machine (can be name or numeric address) ls or dir -lists files and directories in the current directory cd <directory name> -changes the directory to the one named get <filename> -transfers the remote file specified to your local machine quit -logs off the remote machine and quits FTP