[908] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: internet consumer reports on state-wide IP networks
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Steve Cisler)
Thu Jul 4 08:19:26 1991
Date: Thu, 4 Jul 91 05:16:13 -0700
From: Steve Cisler <sac@apple.com>
To: bzs@world.std.com, jsq@tic.com
Cc: Steven.Grimm@Eng.Sun.COM, com-priv@uu.psi.com
Barry Shein describes the librarian who recommended using
paper files for mapping the resources on the net. I can see
why you were amused, but keep in mind that there is a tradition
of doing this with DIALOG's Blue Sheets which detail all the
peculiarities of hundreds of commercial databases marketed by
Dialog Information Services. Also, some people don't operate in
a windowed environment and can't call up online help at
the same time they are trying to connect to a remote system, so
having a binder full of tips and pointers is useful.
Meckler Pubishing in Westport, CT is going to publish such a
book with the kind of information that was on Barry's sample
form.
Many of us do not fit the image of a profession wedded only to
paper directories and cards. Other librarians are using Wide Area
Information Servers or are writing electronic guides to the net.
If you want to see a draft of the latest one here is more info.
libcat-guide
ftp dla.ucop.edu and look in pub/internet for the
92k file called libcat-guide which is a draft done by
members of the Reference division of the American Library
Association whose focus in on 'direct patron access', i.e.
end-users searching from home, office, or without assistance
from a librarian.
This is from the draft dated 6/24/91:
Introduction: Scope and Purpose of the Guide
Section 1: Getting There From Here
. The Internet: Some Background Information
. How to Get Started
. References
Section 2: Why Search Library Catalogs Via the Internet?
Section 3: Road Maps and Travel Guides
. The Road Maps: Sources for Identifying Library Catalogs on the Internet
. The Travel Guides: Sources for Selecting Library Catalogs
Section 4: Using Systems Successfully--Survival Tips
. Making and Breaking the Connection -- Technical Tips
. Search Strategies -- Understanding System Basics
. Beyond the Basics -- Discovering the Real Power of an Online Catalog
Section 5: What Else is Out There--Other Online Resources
. Companion Databases to Online Catalogs
. Campus-Wide Information Systems
. Specialized Databases
Appendix A: Libraries and Network Resources Bibliography
Appendix B: System Models
Appendix C: Glossary
---
Steve Cisler
Apple Library
sac@apple.com
p.s. I do think the librarians' comments on passwords were
wrong and wrong-headed.
