[11205] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: push technology
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Public-Access Computer Systems For)
Wed Apr 9 20:39:33 1997
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 1997 14:31:03 -0500 (CDT)
From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
From: Martin Halbert <halbert@elan.library.emory.edu>
Subject: Re: Library and academic interest in "push" technology?
> THE QUESTION: There's some buzz at my institution about so-called
> "push" or "push/pull" technologies, such as Pointcast, BackWeb and
> Castanet. I'd like to know whether libraries or academic institutions
> out there are doing anything with these technologies and, if so, what.
In response to your posting on push technologies, I agree with your
comments wholeheartedly. At Emory we are evaluating push technologies
for various purposes, but (at least so far) have pretty much the same
thoughts as you have expressed.
It seems to me that this technology is to some extent the latest
incarnation of what used to be called SDI (selective dissemination
of information) and CAS (current awareness service) on Dialog and
other online news vendors. These services had mixed success in
various organizations over the years. Perhaps they will be more
successful using the Internet, with more modern technologies.
Martin Halbert
Director for Library Systems
Emory University
