The Online Searcher’s Companion

Citation

Parry, F. (2000), "The Online Searcher’s Companion", The Electronic Library, Vol. 18 No. 6, pp. 448-469. https://doi.org/10.1108/el.2000.18.6.448.9

The world of online searching has become both more sophisticated and more complex since the days of just a handful of major database host systems. The searcher now has a sometimes bewildering choice of databases on any number of online formats: the traditional (remote) host database provider, Internet services (free and subscription‐based) or CD‐ROM. In addition to this, there has been a seismic shift away from the professional information specialist searcher to the (usually untrained) end‐user.

Forrester and Rowlands’ The Online Searcher’s Companion is a basic guide to the mechanics of searching, taking in the pre‐search procedure, basic and advanced search techniques, full‐text searching and the Internet. It is intended primarily for use in library schools, though at least the first two‐thirds could be of direct relevance for the growing end‐user market. It is a slim volume and some sections could do with a little beefing up, but overall the simple, basic approach is very effective. The authors deal with each subject in a direct manner and amply illustrate each point they make with reference to worked examples. In a complex and overloaded information environment, it is certainly useful to have a book that cuts through the waffle and potential pitfalls that seem to bedevil effective searching.

The main focus of the volume is still the traditional, mediated search of online sources such as Dialog, Datastar and FT Profile. Indeed, the chapter of worked examples concentrates solely on this. However, there is a very useful chapter that takes a long look at searching the Internet and evaluates several search engines including AltaVista, Lycos, Google and the various subject portals. It is also encouraging to see a chapter dedicated to the special search techniques to employ when searching full‐text sources.

The Online Searcher’s Companion is as up‐to‐date as is possible in such a fast‐moving environment. This is shown particularly in the appendices dealing with recommended books and journals, and history of computers, online searching, and the Internet. I am less convinced of the usefulness or relevance in a book on search techniques of an appendix devoted to modems. However, the principles and practice of searching remain timeless and are clearly and effectively demonstrated in this highly recommended textbook.