FRONTEND SOFTWARE, GATEWAYS, AND USER-FRIENDLY SYSTEMS FOR THE ENDUSER OR INFREQUENT SEARCHER OF SCIENCE DATABASES Revised Dec. 1986 Peter Brueggeman Head of Public Services Scripps Institution of Oceanography Library Frontend: software or system used as a simplifying interface between the searcher and the database; main feature of a frontend is simplification of search commands Micro-based frontend software: frontend software mounted locally on the searcher's microcomputer; also known as gateway software; main feature is command simplification and may offer the following features: autodial, autologon, search command assistance, upload search strategies, download search results, help features, database selection assistance search aid software is not the same as frontend software; search aid software is designed for the frequent or professional searcher and usually does not simplify search commands User-friendly system: a database service with its own simplified search software Gateway: a service with frontend software on its own mainframe computer; this provides the online searcher with a simplifying pass-through to the database services. MICROCOMPUTER-BASED FRONTEND SOFTWARE SEARCHWARE Searchware Inc. 22458 Ventura Blvd, Suite E Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818-992-4325 menu-driven searching of DIALOG using offline-formulated search strategies supports command-driven searching either online, or using offline-formulated search strategies software is tailored to 54 broad subject categories using Dialindex-like categories; each subject category has 5- 10 databases receive billing monthly from Searchware with no minimum monthly billing; Searchware inserts a DIALOG password into its software; can use with your own DIALOG password no tutorial assistance for IBM PC or compatibles, or Apple $290 for the first subject category and $100 for each additional subject category $15 offline demo disk available MICROCAMBRIDGE Cambridge Scientific Abstracts 5161 River Road Bethesda, MD 20816 800-638-8076 menu-driven searching of DIALOG while online focus on Cambridge's databases: ASFA (aquatic sciences), Oceanic Abs, Pollution Abs, Conference Papers Index, ISMEC (mechanical engineering), Life Sciences Collection also supports online command-driven searching of DIALOG designed to be database-friendly for Cambridge's databases as well as user-friendly in general presents descriptive information on Cambridge's six databases only supports selection and menu-driven searching of other DIALOG databases stores search strategies for IBM PC with 128K RAM cost is $45 free offline demo disk available SCI-MATE SEARCHER Institute for Scientific Information, Sci-Mate Customer Services 3501 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19104 800-523-4092 menu-driven searching of DIALOG, BRS, SDC, Medlars, Questel either online, or using offline-formulated search strategies supports command-driven searching of any database service extensive menus assist in search strategy formulation no assistance in database selection extensive tutorial assistance Sci-Mate Searcher is part of the Sci-Mate Software System which also includes: Sci-Mate Manager supports storing and retrieving bibliographic and textual information; also reformats downloaded references into its database by using a standardized template. Sci-Mate Editor reprints bibliographies in any specified style/format or in pre-programmed style/formats for major research journals; reformats references from Sci-Mate Manager or from word-processed manuscripts for most computers: DEC Rainbow, Kaypro IV or X, Wang PC,IBM PC or XT, Apple IIe/II+, TRS 80 Model II or 12, or any Z80 based microcomputer with CP/M 80 operating system each component is $399 each; if order more than one, get 10% discount SEARCHMASTER SDC Information Services 2500 Colorado Ave. Santa Monica, CA. 90406 213-453-6194 command-driven searching of SDC, DIALOG, BRS, NLM either online, or using offline-formulated search strategies create your own front-end: supports offline creation of pre- formatted search strategies (scripts); unusual feature that allows experienced searcher to design search strategy templates written in command language with blanks where novice searcher fills in search terms; can add tutorial comments, available files info, decision points whether to review search results or modify the search, as well as commands and logic stores search strategies on SDC, can run automatic, unattended searches and can type ahead of search process IBM PC or compatibles with 128K RAM costs $299 PRO-SEARCH Personal Bibliographic Software, Inc. P.O.Box 4250 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 313-996-1580 menu-driven searching of DIALOG 2 and BRS (called the "high- level interface") either online or using offline- formulated search strategies; the high-level interface thus functions as frontend software for infrequent searchers command-driven searching of any database service including Dialog 1 (called the "native mode") either online, or using offline-formulated search strategies if the service has a consistent user prompt; the native mode functions as search aid software for frequent or professional searchers high-level interface offers menu-driven assistance in selecting DIALOG and BRS databases; displays brief database descriptions: scope, size, time span and cost high-level interface and native mode both offer quick access to information on Dialog and BRS database records (e.g. fields) high-level interface offers assistance in composing search strategies using the different fields of the database record native mode translation option (called "cross emulation") that supports searching in the command language of DIALOG on BRS, or in the command language of BRS on DIALOG (most but not all commands supported) type ahead of DIALOG, BRS, CAS Online, and Newsnet processing of the search strategy; you can configure for any service with a consistent system prompt upload stored search strategies only to those services for which type-ahead is configured uploaded search strategies cannot respond to NLM time overflow messages can edit any uploaded search statements before they are processed by the database service high-level interface supports hindsight editing of search strategy (subsequent search statements affected by the change are automatically rerun) automatic downloading of search session into RAM buffer for online or offline review/printing/file creation one-keystroke access to help screens post-search processing features: high-level interface supports whole-record editing of search results; native mode supports line editing of search results cost accounting features: for Dialog and BRS, produces printout coversheets, session invoices and monthly reports by database service, database, searcher, client or charge code; cannot add in an overhead fee supports IBM Voice Communications Option-- text downloaded into the RAM buffer can be synthesized into speech supports mailing label printing from downloaded DIALOG records from any database with name and address fields does not support access to one service with two or more passwords (e.g. one password for recharged searches and one password for ready reference searches) product is slanted towards Dialog and BRS; designed for accessing Dialog and BRS through several telecommunications networks but not supported for any other service (have to set up separate menu choices for accessing NLM through Telenet, Tymnet, and Uninet) for IBM PC, XT, AT, IBM compatibles, TI Professional; plans for an Apple Mackintosh version: DOS Version 2.0 or later requires 256K RAM minimum; DOS Version 3.0 or later requires 320K RAM minimum; Voice Communications Option requires 400K RAM; more RAM than the preceding figures is desirable if you have RAM-resident software; hard disc is desirable for easier usage (to avoid the "floppy disc shuffle"); supports 300/1200/2400 baud modems cost is $495; copy-protected; reduced price of $295 for Pro- Search with purchase of any other PBS product; PBS' Searcher's Tool Kit includes Pro-Search, Pro-Cite (file management software), and Biblio-Links for Dialog and BRS (Biblio-Link software converts downloaded Dialog and BRS information into the Pro-Cite database) for a package price of $995; Biblio-Link software is available for $195 each for OCLC and RLIN and is under development for NLM working online demo disc available with manual for $19.95; works for three connect hours of searching plus indefinite offline time; limited to a small subset of BRS and DIALOG databases Pro-Search was developed by Menlo Corp. and recently sold to Personal Bibliographic Software, Inc; In-Search was an earlier version of Pro-Search designed for DIALOG 1 Review: Barbara Quint, "Menlo Corporation's Pro-Search: Review of a Software Search Aid", ONLINE 10(1):17-25, January 1986 GATEWAY SERVICE EASYNET Telebase Systems Inc. 134 North Narberth Ave. Narberth, PA 19072 800-841-9553 computer service with its own frontend software supporting menu-driven searching of 9 database services: DIALOG, BRS, SDC, Pergamon InfoLine, Questel, Vu/Text, NewsNet, GTE MINET, and DataTimes using offline-formulated search strategies dial 1-800-EASYNET and enter Visa/Mastercard/American Express number (can also get an EasyNet account number); no pre- registration required; access to EasyNet also available through Western Union's EasyLink e-mail service and Compuserve menus assist in offline database selection and search strategy formulation; search is batch run and ten references downloaded to EasyNet computer for display to searcher tutorial assistance type "SOS" and get help from EasyNet personnel Mon-Sat 4am- 7pm (PST) EasyNet selects the database for the searcher with obvious/practical selections; can bypass Easynet's automatic database selection to access more databases with searching on all searchable fields for most databases, the cost is $8 per database search, which includes up to ten references; each additional set of 10 references is $8; no charge for no hits; abstracts are $2 each annual library subscription available for $550; reduces search cost to $5 each plus Telenet costs; Easynet either bills user and/or the library subsidizes all or part of the cost; get ten passwords and 3 customized introductory screens; prepayment discounts available offers document delivery of references at $8.50 each access via terminal as well as microcomputer at 300 or 1200 baud designed to retrieve a small set of references from any database without arranging individual contracts with each database service USER-FRIENDLY SYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE INDEX Knowledge Index DIALOG Information Services Marketing Dept. 3460 Hillview Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94304 800-334-2564 offers simplified command-driven searching of 34 DIALOG databases access via terminal, word processor, microcomputer online help access (your local time): Mon-Thu 6pm-5am; Fri 6pm-midnight; Sat 8am-midnight; Sun 3pm-5am(Mon) cost is $35 startup fee (includes manual and 2 hours of free search time) and $24 per search hour; no citation charges; no monthly minimum; billed to Visa, Mastercard or American Express; cost includes telecommunications cost AFTER DARK BRS/After Dark 1200 Route 7 Latham, NY 12110 800-345-4277 offers menu-driven searching of 60 BRS databases access via terminal, word processsor, microcomputer no online help access (PST): Mon-Fri 12am-1am, 6pm-midnight; Sat 12am-1am, 3am-midnight; Sun 12am-1am, 3am-11am, 4pm-midnight cost is $75 startup fee (includes manual) and $6 per search hour, plus database royalties (range from $0-$19 per hour, depending on database); $12 monthly minimum; billed to Visa or Mastercard or American Express; cost includes telecommunications cost BRKTHRU BRS/Brkthru 1200 Route 7 Latham, NY 12110 800-345-4277 offer menu-driven searching of 95 BRS databases access via terminal, word processor, microcomputer extra features compared to After Dark include rooting of a given stem word, access the full database record, more databases, daytime access, no monthly minimum no online help all-hours access (22hrs per day) with differential pricing for prime-time and off-peak hours access (PST): Mon-Sat 3am-1am; Sun 3am-11am, 4pm-1am cost is $75 startup fee (includes manual and $25 free time); prime-time cost (3am PST-6pm local time, Mon-Fri) is $35 per search hour, plus database royalties (range from $0-$90 per hour, depending on database); off-peak cost is $17.50 per search hour, plus database royalties ($0- $90 per hour); no monthly minimum; billed to Mastercard or Visa or American Express; cost includes telecommunications cost; about half of databases reduce royalties for offpeak usage; citation charges for almost all databases BRS offers menu option for regular search service at $1 per session; type in "menu" when first prompted for database label This review is limited to software and services used to access a multidisciplinary (horizontal) range of science databases. Omitted are software and services designed for a vertical (one discipline) market, e.g. GRATEFUL MED software and BRS/SAUNDERS COLLEAGUE service designed for medicine and medical databases Miscellaneous Micro-based frontend software IT (INFORMATION TRANSFER) PROGRAM Userlink Systems Ltd Mansion House Chambers High Street Stockport Cheshire SK1 1EG United Kingdom 061-429-8232 menu-driven searching of DIALOG, ESA, Data Star, Pergamon InfoLine using offline-formulated search strategies extensive tutorial and database selection assistance stores search strategies cost accounting features for IBM PC or XT with 128K RAM, DOS 2.0 or later, also VAX 11/750 minicomputer (VMS or UNIX operating system) cost is 395 pounds SEARCH AID SOFTWARE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL OR FREQUENT SEARCHER Revised Dec 1986 Peter Brueggeman Head of Public Services Scripps Institution of Oceanography Library UCSD C075C La Jolla, CA 92093 Search Aid Software: also called frontend software or gateway software; search aid software software offers the following features: autodial, autologon, upload (send) search strategies developed offline, download (capture search results locally), store search strategies and search results, help features, some software allows the searcher to type-ahead of the processing of search statements by the database service, accounting features, some software offers database selection assistance, some software supports post-search processing of search results search aid software usually does not simplify the use of a database service's search commands; frontend software's main feature is that it simplifies search commands DIALOGLINK COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER DIALOG Information Services, Marketing Dept. 3460 Hillview Ave. Palo Alto, CA. 94304 800-3DIALOG command-driven searching of DIALOG or any database service either online, or using offline-formulated search strategies if the service has a consistent user prompt type ahead of DIALOG's processing of the search strategy; you can configure for any service with a consistent system prompt upload stored search strategies only to those services for which type-ahead is configured uploaded search strategies cannot respond to NLM time overflow messages can edit any uploaded search statements before they are processed by the database service can recall last line of search strategy for hind sight editing (the last keyboarded line, not the last uploaded line) automatic downloading of entire search session into RAM buffer for online or offline review/printing/file creation one-keystroke access to help screens post-search processing features: supports line editing of search results cost accounting features: Dialoglink Account Manager available for $45; for Dialog sessions only, produces printout coversheet, session invoices and monthly reports by database service, database, searcher, client, or charge code; cannot add in an overhead fee does not support access to Dialog (or any other service) with two or more passwords (e.g. one password for recharged searches and one password for ready reference searches) product is slanted towards Dialog; designed for accessing Dialog through several telecommunications networks but not supported for any other service (have to set up separate menu choices for accessing BRS through Telenet, Tymnet, and Uninet) for IBM PC, XT, AT, Compaq, AT&T 6300, IBM compatibles with 256K RAM minimum (more is desirable if you have RAM- resident software); DOS Version 2.0 or later; supports 300/1200/2400 baud modems Dialoglink Communications Manager costs $95; $125 for both the Communications and Account Managers; copy-protected online demo disk available for $10 (applicable towards purchase); works for 2 connect hours of searching plus indefinite offline time Review: Aggi Raeder "Dialoglink: Product Evaluation of a New Communication Software from Dialog", DATABASE END-USER 2(4): 17-21, April 1986 PRO-SEARCH Personal Bibliographic Software, Inc. P.O.Box 4250 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 313-996-1580 menu-driven searching of DIALOG 2 and BRS (called the "high- level interface") either online or using offline- formulated search strategies; the high-level interface functions as frontend software for infrequent searchers command-driven searching of any database service including Dialog 1 (called the "native mode") either online, or using offline-formulated search strategies if the service has a consistent user prompt; the native mode functions as search aid software for frequent or professional searchers high-level interface offers menu-driven assistance in selecting DIALOG and BRS databases; displays brief database descriptions: scope, size, time span and cost high-level interface and native mode both offer quick access to information on Dialog and BRS database records (e.g. fields) high-level interface offers assistance in composing search strategies using the different fields of the database record native mode translation option (called "cross emulation") that supports searching in the command language of DIALOG on BRS, or in the command language of BRS on DIALOG (most but not all commands supported) type ahead of DIALOG, BRS, CAS Online, and Newsnet processing of the search strategy; you can configure for any service with a consistent system prompt upload stored search strategies only to those services for which type-ahead is configured uploaded search strategies cannot respond to NLM time overflow messages can edit any uploaded search statements before they are processed by the database service high-level interface supports hindsight editing of search strategy (subsequent search statements affected by the change are automatically rerun) automatic downloading of search session into RAM buffer for online or offline review/printing/file creation one-keystroke access to help screens post-search processing features: high-level interface supports whole-record editing of search results; native mode supports line editing of search results cost accounting features: for Dialog and BRS, produces printout coversheets, session invoices and monthly reports by database service, database, searcher, client or charge code; cannot add in an overhead fee supports IBM Voice Communications Option-- text downloaded into the RAM buffer can be synthesized into speech supports mailing label printing from downloaded DIALOG records from any database with name and address fields does not support access to one service with two or more passwords (e.g. one password for recharged searches and one password for ready reference searches) product is slanted towards Dialog and BRS; designed for accessing Dialog and BRS through several telecommunications networks but not supported for any other service (have to set up separate menu choices for accessing NLM through Telenet, Tymnet, and Uninet) for IBM PC, XT, AT, IBM compatibles, TI Professional; plans for an Apple Mackintosh version: DOS Version 2.0 or later requires 256K RAM minimum; DOS Version 3.0 or later requires 320K RAM minimum; Voice Communications Option requires 400K RAM; more RAM than the preceding figures is desirable if you have RAM-resident software; hard disc is desirable for easier usage (to avoid the "floppy disc shuffle"); supports 300/1200/2400 baud modems cost is $495; copy-protected; reduced price of $295 for Pro- Search with purchase of any other PBS product; PBS' Searcher's Tool Kit includes Pro-Search, Pro-Cite (file management software), and Biblio-Links for Dialog and BRS (Biblio-Link software converts downloaded Dialog and BRS information into the Pro-Cite database) for a package price of $995; Biblio-Link software is available for $195 each for OCLC and RLIN and is under development for NLM working online demo disc available with manual for $19.95; works for three connect hours of searching plus indefinite offline time; limited to a small subset of BRS and DIALOG databases Pro-Search was developed by Menlo Corp. and recently sold to Personal Bibliographic Software, Inc; In-Search was an earlier version of Pro-Search designed for DIALOG 1 Review: Barbara Quint, "Menlo Corporation's Pro-Search: Review of a Software Search Aid", ONLINE 10(1):17-25, January 1986 SEARCHWORKS Online Research Systems, Inc. 627 W. 113th St., Suite 4F New York, NY 10025 212-408-3311 command-driven searching of Dialog, BRS, NLM, SDC or any database service either online or using offline- formulated search strategies type ahead of Dialog 2, BRS, NLM, and SDC processing of the search strategy; you cannot configure type ahead for any other service can upload to any service (even if type ahead is not supported) uploaded search strategies cannot respond to NLM time overflow messages automatic "yes" responses to NLM's and SDC's "Continue printing?" queries using a function key toggle can edit any uploaded search statements before they are processed by the database service automatic downloading of entire search session into a disc file for online or offline review/printing/file creation help screens for offline/online use with info on command syntax and search commands; has examples for the supported services with many of the examples being specific to Medline; can save and redisplay a specific line of info after returning online; permuted index to topics on screens post-search processing features: reformatting of search results from several databases or database services to produce consistency in results; changing of database record field labels to specified labels; ranking of search results from most relevant to least relevant using user-defined ranking terms; sorting of results from one or more databases into an alphabetical sequence based on a user-defined database record field (one may rank or sort but not both); keyword indexing of results from one or more databases; record editing of search results using word or character-string searching of search results and whole-record deleting; limit of 4000 records for post-search processing cost accounting features: produces printout cover sheets, session invoices including an option to add an overhead fee, fund accounting for up to 19 separate funds for tracking search expenditures and bills paid; user- defined specific time-period accounting reports for IBM PC, XT, AT, IBM compatibles with 256K RAM minimum; more RAM is desirable - 384K or more RAM will allow for the maximum allowable number (4000) of records to be ranked or sorted; DOS Version 2.0 or later; hard disc is almost mandatory for ease of use (the "floppy disc shuffle"), for capturing large downloaded file sizes greater than 300K (about 200-300 bibliographic citations with abstracts), and for storage of user files with a combined size greater than 40K (search strategies, accounting files, and post-search processing format templates.) cost is $149; owners of Pro-Search may purchase SearchWorks for $99 (supply copy of paid invoice when ordering); not copy-protected no demo disc Review: upcoming in DATABASE END-USER PC/NET-LINK Sterling Software Information Systems Services Division 6011 Executive Blvd. Rockville, MD 20852 800-638-6595 command-driven searching of 12 database services (DIALOG, BRS, SDC, NLM, Dow Jones, Lexis and Nexis, NewsNet, OCLC, RLIN, Westlaw, Questel) either online or using offline-formulated search strategies cannot edit unprocessed search statements while the search strategy is uploading; have to wait until the uploaded search strategy is finished before adding or changing search statements uploaded search strategies cannot respond to NLM time overflow messages database selection assistance through menus accessing an integrated directory of all services' databases with database descriptions can customize database directory: subject headings in the database selection menu can be edited; databases listed in the index can be added or deleted; database descriptions in directory can be entered or edited extensive tutorial assistance including printed command summaries for each service for 10 Megabyte hard-disk IBM PC or XT or compatibles with 128K RAM minimum cost is $550; federal government agencies get discount price of $400; Genesys Corporation's Telios communications software is required and costs $100 additional requires Hayes Smartmodem 1200 or Hayes compatible modem