IAC and UMI go head-to-head on full text: A comparison of expanded academic index via searchbank and periodical abstracts research II with powerpages

Database - The Magazine of Electronic Database Reviews

Volumn 19, Issue 4, 1996, Pages 63-71

  Richter, Carole J ^a   Wesley, Threasa L ^b  

^a XAVIER UNIVERSITY   (United States)

^b NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0039834746     PISSN: 01624105     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (13)

1. IAC Central 2000 ASAP databases have recently been renamed "SearchBank" to differentiate the option from their former Gateway 2000 relatives, which deliver the IAC databases through automated system interfaces, such as NOTIS, Innovative Interfaces Inc., etc.
2. Access to SearchBank databases through standard WWW browsers, such as Netscape, was made available for general use in summer 1996. Although powerful, the Web interface will be different from the standard InfoTrac search interface. SearchBank subscribers will have the option of using the WWW interface access, in addition to standard telnet access, at no extra cost.
3. The ProQuest OnDisc system, an earlier manual version of PowerPages does allow full image to be displayed, but only because the system made use of high resolution monitors and standalone, rather than networked, workstations.
4. For a clear and concise discussion of the ASCII/image issues, see Carol Tenopir, "ASCII Full Texts," Library Journal 120 (June 1, 1995): pp. 34-.
5. At this time, text can be downloaded only through the "log" feature of the communication program interface; IAC has plans to enable email full-text delivery in the future, which would greatly facilitate use of the ASCII text. Text can be downloaded when using the WWW Netscape client, and images can be downloaded if Adobe PDF software is installed and configured for use with Netscape.
6. Four years ago, in an otherwise positive evaluation, Alan King pointed out that "Proquest's software continues to be controlled almost completely with function key commands that are not listed anywhere on the screen. Helpful options...are hidden." Alan King, "UMI's ProQuest CD-ROM System: One Librarian's Opinion," ONLINE 16, No. 1 (January 1992): pp. 82-.
7. The irony is that Wilson resisted combining their excellent subject indexes into a broad spectrum, general periodical index that could have competed against the evolving IAC and UMI products; a prescient reviewer suggested this strategy early on. See S. Plum, "Databases: Social Sciences Index and WILSONDISC," Choice 25 (March 1988): pp. 1072-1073.
8. An article by Iowa State librarians makes use of a similar breakdown of indexed periodicals by subject classification, and relates results to the journal holdings and research needs pertinent to the university mission. See Sally A. Fry and Kathy A. Parsons, "Comparative Analysis of IAC, UMI, and Wilson Database Tape Products," The Serials Librarian 25, No. 1-2 (1994): pp. 133-144.
9. Adele F. Bane, "Business Periodicals Ondisc: How Full-Text Availability Affects the Library," Computers in Libraries 15 (May 1995): pp. 54-56.
10. Anne Newell surveyed almost 400 academic library users regarding some of the issues brought about by electronic text availability. She reports "overwhelming resistance from all categories of users surveyed to the proposition of canceling print journals to help pay for the electronic services, such as full-text databases. While 73% disagreed with canceling parallel print journals, 68% of the sample had indicated they would be likely to use full-text CD-ROM databases...In other words, library patrons would like both." Anne H. Newell, "Access to Journal Information and the Impact of New Technologies," The Electronic Journal: The Future of Serials-Based Information (New York: Haworth, 1992), pp. 45-69.
11. This assessment is based on written comments by Linda Newman, systems librarian at University of Cincinnati, and Randy Olsen of Brigham Young University as well as experience with PowerPages at Xavier University. Ms. Newman related that UC's experience was characterized by "shakedown" intervals of persistent problems followed by more typical periods of calm and trouble-free operation. Randy Olsen detailed his institution's experience with PowerPages, stating that they had experienced very few technical problems with the system. He did mention, however, that all jukeboxes had been replaced by UMI within months of installation. Randy Olsen, "UMI Report," rjo@hbll1.byu.edu (January 4, 1995) to PACS-L@UHUPVM1.
12. L. Malcomb, "Re: IAC databases..." (malcomb@ indiana.edu). Personal electronic mail message December 26,1995. A positive evaluation of almost two years with IAC's full-text Expanded Academic Index via Internet. Ms. Malcomb, Director of the Undergraduate Library at Indiana University, noted IAC's record of very little down time and general responsiveness to user concerns.
13. Paula Burks and Susan C. Harris, "Comparing CD-ROM Products For Academic Library Patrons: UMI And InfoTrac," CD-ROM Professional 5, No. 2 (March 1992): pp. 33-36.