E.G. Sieverts, M. Hofstede, Ph.H. Haak, P. Nieuwenhuysen, G.A.M. Scheepsma, L. Veeger and G.C. Vis
This article lists and compares specifications, properties, and test results of microcomputer software for information storage and retrieval. Nine different programs which fall…
Abstract
This article lists and compares specifications, properties, and test results of microcomputer software for information storage and retrieval. Nine different programs which fall into the category of classical retrieval systems (see Part I of this series) have been tested and assessed: BIB/SEARCH, CARDBOX‐PLUS, CDS/ISIS, FREEBASE, HEADFAST, IDEALIST, INMAGIC, NUTSHELL‐PLUS, and POLYDOC. All of them run under MS‐DOS. For each of these nine programs about 100 facts and test results are tabulated. Each program is also discussed individually.
Eric G. Sieverts and Marten Hofstede
In this first article of a series, several categories of microcomputer software for information storage and retrieval are distinguished and characterised: (1) classical retrieval…
Abstract
In this first article of a series, several categories of microcomputer software for information storage and retrieval are distinguished and characterised: (1) classical retrieval systems, (2) end‐user software, (3) indexing programs, (4) full‐text retrieval programs, and (5) personal information managers. In addition, the special retrieval techniques of hypertext and best‐match searching are discussed. The 20‐odd programs which will be assessed in subsequent articles are characterised according to these categories. As an introduction to the coming comparison and assessment, a systematic listing and discussion of properties and functions of ISR software is presented.
S. Amba, R. Meenakshi and S. Subba Rao
CDS/ISIS was used to develop a database of references for publications of the Central Leather Research Institute. This database is to serve not only as a bibliographic tool but…
Abstract
CDS/ISIS was used to develop a database of references for publications of the Central Leather Research Institute. This database is to serve not only as a bibliographic tool but also as a component of an information system for management. The problems encountered in the development of the database are described in this paper.
Paul Nieuwenhuysen and Patrick Vanouplines
This contribution looks at some relatively new and recent advanced tools, techniques, methods and standards related to the Internet which form the basis for mixtures of documents…
Abstract
This contribution looks at some relatively new and recent advanced tools, techniques, methods and standards related to the Internet which form the basis for mixtures of documents and services, which we can call ‘document+program hybrids’. The new Internet systems contribute to an evolution from documents on the one side and computer programs on the other side, neatly separated, apart from each other, without much interaction, so that the static document can also exist without computers and networks, to hybrid systems where the classical distinction between the contents and the container is blurred; where all components are integrated, interwoven and exist in synergy with each other; they can be more dynamic and interactive, in comparison with more classical and static documents, by involving and exploiting the power of computers and networks. A collection is presented of Internet‐based sources (URLs) that can serve as illustrations. Recent methods, techniques, standards and protocols on the Internet that form the basis of the evolution are listed. As professional information intermediaries, the authors also consider the impact in the area of online access to information and knowledge.
The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online…
Abstract
The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online information and documentation work. They fall into the following categories:
The computer software package CDS/ISIS is suitable for the storage and retrieval of structured, text‐oriented information, such as bibliographic descriptions. Versions exist for…
Abstract
The computer software package CDS/ISIS is suitable for the storage and retrieval of structured, text‐oriented information, such as bibliographic descriptions. Versions exist for various hardware including IBM microcomputers and compatibles. The software is very attractive, mainly because it is powerful and because the producer, Unesco, normally fulfils requests to use it for free. Micro CDS/ISIS is reviewed in this paper which includes recent experience with Version 2.3.
Focuses on some official courses, organised at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and at the University of Antwerp, in Belgium, that are all related to information literacy, mainly…
Abstract
Focuses on some official courses, organised at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and at the University of Antwerp, in Belgium, that are all related to information literacy, mainly focusing on information retrieval. The following components of the courses and of the course materials are presented: a brief overview of the contents of each course, which is made available through the WWW in the official framework organised by the university; a document for each course, with an overview of the contents, the aims, and the evaluation procedure; a series of slides related to the course contents; questions, tasks, problems, practical exercises for the students; case studies to be carried out by each student as part of the evaluation procedure; an extensive bibliography about the subjects covered in the courses; and communication with students using electronic mail.
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Wouter Mettrop and Paul Nieuwenhuysen
An empirical investigation of the consistency of retrieval through Internet search engines is reported. Thirteen engines are evaluated: AltaVista, EuroFerret, Excite, HotBot…
Abstract
An empirical investigation of the consistency of retrieval through Internet search engines is reported. Thirteen engines are evaluated: AltaVista, EuroFerret, Excite, HotBot, InfoSeek, Lycos, MSN, NorthernLight, Snap, WebCrawler and three national Dutch engines: Ilse, Search.nl and Vindex. The focus is on a characteristics related to size: the degree of consistency to which an engine retrieves documents. Does an engine always present the same relevant documents that are, or were, available in its databases? We observed and identified three types of fluctuations in the result sets of several kinds of searches, many of them significant. These should be taken into account by users who apply an Internet search engine, for instance to retrieve as many relevant documents as possible, or to retrieve a document that was already found in a previous search, or to perform scientometric/bibliometric measurements. The fluctuations should also be considered as a complication of other research on the behaviour and performance of Internet search engines. In conclusion: in view of the increasing importance of the Internet as a publication/communication medium, the fluctuations in the result sets of Internet search engines can no longer be neglected.
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Among some commentators abroad, Australia enjoys a reputation as a country in which the “three cornered suspension” afforded by conciliation and arbitration machinery has assisted…
Abstract
Among some commentators abroad, Australia enjoys a reputation as a country in which the “three cornered suspension” afforded by conciliation and arbitration machinery has assisted both sense and sensibility in wage fixation. (Though Australians may sometimes feel that the arbitration system is not without honour save in its own country.) In the light of international interest in Australian wage determination, it may therefore be useful to examine Australian progress towards equal pay for women.
Criteria to evaluate and select software for online text information storage and retrieval software are presented in the form of a checklist. The list has a hierarchical…
Abstract
Criteria to evaluate and select software for online text information storage and retrieval software are presented in the form of a checklist. The list has a hierarchical structure; the headings are Input of information, Indexing, Interactive searching for information, and Output features, with, additionally, a few remarks about Current awareness, Security/Privacy/Authorisation, Read‐only version, and Integration with other programs.