[240] in Information Retrieval
Electronic Forms
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (jamess@MIT.EDU)
Tue Jul 12 10:07:33 1994
From: jamess@MIT.EDU
To: elibdev@MIT.EDU, ilbgrp@MIT.EDU
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 94 10:06:34 EDT
Earlier in April and May, ELIBDEV examined various mechanisms to provide
access to electronic forms. After the demonstration, there was a pause to
consider the implications of the new NOTIS system. Since the recent collapse
of Horizon, I feel that we should again resume consideration of introducing
an electronic forms service.
I have archived my programs for space reasons. I don't know if any
development using Phaedo has been done. I've been developing a WWW document
submission form which I hope to experiment with soon. In the meantime, I
would be happy to share the code for the ascii form submission routines. As
I mentioned, it needs a secure account--which Bill and Anne said would be
possible--to minimize malicious tampering.
It would be useful to have some service available in the Fall. I don't
have the time to convert my program to an X-Motif form. I would be willing to
collaborate with knowledgeable individuals. My intent in using the ascii form
was to allow cross-platform use. Improving the basic model is welcomed.
I don't say my method is the best way. It is simply functional, easy to
get up and running, and requires little maintenance. Given the erratic nature
of GEAC, athena offers a more reliable means of transmitting requests. In
addition, we can relieve the burden of public service units by enabling users
to make their own requests electronically. In lieu of the Notis setback, I
feel we can continue to provide new service to the MIT community.
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John A. Mess, Pure and Applied Chemistry Librarian
14 S - M 32, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
(617) 253-1290
World Wide Web Server: http://mez-5.mit.edu/ (Mon-Fri 10:00-5:30)
