[1294] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Tapeloading databases--response summary
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Mike McDermott)
Wed Sep 23 12:54:31 1992
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1992 11:20:42 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: Mike McDermott <michaelm@portland.caps.maine.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Greetings:
A few weeks ago I asked the list for opinions regarding loading tapes
of periodical databases (expanded academic index, business index and
health index--all from IAC) onto an opac: whether it would be better
to load the three databases as one large file, or keeping them
separate and searchable independently.
I received 15 responses.
Three of them I'd categorize as being in favor of loading the
databases into one file--most cited user convenience and ease of use
as the reasons for this.
Three messages gave points for and against each choice (although one
of these really leaned toward separate files).
Eight messages were in favor of loading the files separately--most
raised potential technical problems and system/hardware reasons for
this, but there were some user problems cited as well (duplicate
records, high numbers of non-relevant hits, etc...).
One response suggested putting the databases onto a WAIS server and
letting the user decide how to search them--a good idea, certainly,
but not one of the options we were given to work with right now.
There were many good points raised that I was able to pass along to
the people who will actually make the decisions--many of the technical
issues involved were especially helpful. Many thanks again to those
who were able to contribute their input on this.
If anyone is interested in a copy of the actual responses, E-mail me
directly and I will forward a copy. If any of the respondents fo any
reason do not wish to have their remarks included in this fuller
summary, they should also contact me (I'll wait a few days before I
send any out).
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