OCLC SiteSearch 4.0

Citation

(1998), "OCLC SiteSearch 4.0", Asian Libraries, Vol. 7 No. 9. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1998.17307iad.004

OCLC SiteSearch 4.0

The purpose of this section is to alert readers of Asian Libraries to new products, services and resources that may be of professional value or interest. Information is taken from publicity provided by the producers and is not evaluated or assessed for accuracy. Inclusion in this section does not mean the Editors of Asian Libraries or MCB University Press in any way endorse a particular product, service or resource. An item listed here subsequently may, if appropriate, also be reviewed in a relevant section of Asian Libraries (a new journal, for example, in the Reviews section).

OCLC SiteSearch 4.0

OCLC has released Version 4.0 of the OCLC SiteSearch suite of software to help libraries integrate and manage their electronic resources. The new release offers expanded features such as enhanced multi-database searching and browsing, as well as a new technological framework for future OCLC SiteSearch enhancements. With the OCLC SiteSearch suite, users view library catalogues, local databases, remote resources such as the OCLC FirstSearch service, image collections, full-text resources and more using one interface ­ whether in the library, home or office.

As part of the Version 4.0 release, OCLC SiteSearch server components have been rewritten in the Java programming language, which increases libraries' ability to create unique features specific to local needs. The OCLC SiteSearch interface has been redesigned. The new style complements the networked resources that are integral to OCLC SiteSearch 4.0. Also, local customisation of interface functionality will be easier using Java.

OCLC SiteSearch 4.0 uses Java programs running on a library's server, rather than using Java applets running on each library user's workstation, which avoids concerns of compatibility between Java applets and the users' Web browsers and workstations. "Using Java on the server side means that OCLC SiteSearch 4.0 will work with next year's lowest common denominator workstation", said Taylor Surface, manager of OCLC Distributed Systems. "More libraries will be able to use this new technology without having to upgrade the memory, central processing unit, and browsers on their workstations."

Because Java is platform independent, libraries will have a wider choice of servers for OCLC SiteSearch implementation, including UNIX and Microsoft Windows NT. The new technological framework of OCLC SiteSearch offers libraries the ability to extend the Z39.50 protocol to search non-Z39.50 resources. OCLC SiteSearch 4.0 also offers enhanced multi-database searching that allows libraries to create topic areas to help users simultaneously search multiple databases on a single topic. Searching, index browsing and result-set sorting can all be configured to work with multiple databases simultaneously, whether the databases are loaded locally or accessed remotely. The new browse feature allows OCLC SiteSearch 4.0 users to browse an integrated list of terms from multiple databases. This functionality helps users identify the appropriate search term in each database.

The new interface can be viewed at <http://purl.oclc.org/SiteSearch/demo/> For more information on the OCLC SiteSearch suite of software, visit the OCLC SiteSearch Web site: http://purl.oclc.org/SiteSearch/