[853] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
CLR OPAC Study
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Charles Hildreth)
Wed Jul 29 13:37:26 1992
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 12:03:25 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@ricevm1.rice.edu>
From: Charles Hildreth <hildreth@eagle.sangamon.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@ricevm1.rice.edu>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
A few weeks back I issued a call for input to our study of "next-generation"
online catalog functionality. I have received numerous replys with thought-
ful, excellent suggestions, but some are beyond the scope of this particular
study. Thus, a clarification is in order.
The focus of the study is on improved search, browse, and retrieval techniques
for OPACs and other (e.g., CD-ROM) information retrieval systems. To use a bit
of jargon, we are interested in improved or alternative search interfaces and
"search engines."
A large body of research reveals continuing, pervasive problems with subject
access in OPACs, and demonstrates that today's exact-match, Boolean retrieval
systems have major performance and use deficiencies.
We are especially interested in learning about any operational or prototype
online catalog or retrieval system that employs "post-Boolean," best-match
retrieval techniques like weighted-term searching, ranked document output,
and relevance feedback from the searcher. We are also interested in search
interfaces that accept natural language expressions of the searcher's
information need, problem, or interest.
Many thanks,
Charles Hildreth
(hildreth@eagle.sangamon.edu)
