Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 09:27:35 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: David T Terry Subject: Seminar: Internet as a Reference Source ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Austin, Texas, Friday, August 5, 1994--one-day seminar, "A Global Library, Not a Toy: Reference and Information Services on the Internet," will be held at The University of Texas at Austin, Joe C. Thompson Conference Center. Fee is $85 ($75 group rate if 3 or more participants from the same organization or association register as a group). The speaker is Mary Lynn Rice-Lively, librarian at UT General Libraries, and instructor at the UT-Austin Graduate School of Library and Information Science. No hands-on training will be available. The workshop will explore providing traditional reference services on and from the Internet. Some knowledge of the use of electronic mail and basic Internet tools is recommended. The workshop ill be particulary useful to those with an interest in integrating use of the Internet into reference and information services. Tentative Agenda: 8:30 - 9:00 AM Registration/Check-in 9:00 - 9:30 AM Introductions 9:30 - 9:40 AM Workshop Overview 9:40 - 10:00 AM Reference Services and the Net: Introductory Comments 10:00 - 10:15 AM Reference Services: What We Do Now 10:15 - 10:30 AM Reference Services: Same Services, Different Tools 10:30 - 10:45 AM BREAK 10:45 - 11:15 AM Using Your Global Reference Library: Organization o Browsers: Gopher, WAIS, World Wide Web (WWW)/Mosaic o Electronic Communication: Email, Listservs, Newsgroups o Veronica & Archie o FTP & Telnet Sites 11:15 - Noon Using Browsers: A Demonstration of Favorite Resources o Gopher o WWW/Mosaic o WAIS Noon - 1:00 PM LUNCH 1:00 - 1:30 PM Electronic Communication: Instruction & Demonstration Using o Listserv: A Database o Newsgroups o Human Resources: The Global Forum o Reference Service Tool 1:30 - 2:00 PM Breakout Group: Developing a Network Skill Learning Plan 2:00 - 2:30 PM Sharing Tactics and Strategies 2:30 - 3:00 PM Breakout Group: New Network Strategies in Reference Service 3:00 - 3:15 PM BREAK 3:15 - 3:30 PM Sharing Tactics and Strategies 3:30 - 4:00 PM Summary and Evaluation 4:00 PM ADJOURN For more information, or to receive registration materials, send your fax # or mailing address to David Terry or call (512) 471-8806. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 09:28:08 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: TAYLORVAISEY@medac.med.utoronto.ca Subject: Email address for Indexing and Abstracting Society of Canada ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Ian Odgers requested email addresses for indexing societies. You may contact the president of IASC/SCAD at: taylorvaisey@medac.med.utoronto.ca Our mailing address is: PO Box 744, Station F, Toronto ON M4Y 2N6. If you want to talk to a person, you can call me at (416) 264-4601, and leave a message. I'll call back! -- Anne Taylor-Vaisey ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 09:28:27 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: STEVEJZOO@delphi.com Subject: Re: Cindex on Mac ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In response to a comment on PowerMacs: At present, PowerMacs require the use of SoftPC (or equivalent emulation software) to run DOS or Windows programs. SoftPC emulates an 80286 CPU running MS/DOS (an AT) so SoftPC will not run DOS or Windows software requiring a 386sx or higher CPU. This limitation would not present any problem with Macrex or Cindex. I've found SoftPC to be quite useful at a variety of tasks, from accessing MS/DOS only CD-ROMS, such as Children's Books in Print, to running old CP/M programs (running a CP/M emulator under the MS/DOS emulator...) SoftPC is easily worth the price. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve Johnson / Wildlife Conservation Society / Stevejzoo@delphi.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 09:29:11 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: DWIGHT WALKER Subject: Re: DPIC Data Collection ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I produced an index for an astronomy magazine. The same problem of choosing terms came up. I visited the Anglo-Australian Observatory where the librarian had produced a thesaurus for astronomy, the first effort for astronomers worldwide. I used its structure to guide me around the knowledge area. This was invaluable as I had a basic scientific training in the area. I mainly did mathematics, computing and chemistry in my Bachelor of Science. Natural language also was used where the thesaurus was too technical or not specific enough for the readership. As for size, I also found the index blew out. You have to set yourself strict objectives as to what to and what not to include. I think 3 or 4 entries per article is sufficient for subjects. For names of objects e.g. stars, drugs, this can be expanded. Synonyms need to be sorted out. Another issue is how often you have double entries i.e. when do you say: galaxies -- Milky Way // Milky Way or [double entry] galaxies -- spiral -- Milky Way // Milky Way see galaxies -- spiral [cross reference] Double entries are easier for the reader to navigate but bulk out the index. I tended to use them where having a lengthy cross reference was awkward. The trick is to keep both ends of the entry up to date. As for software I used simple local indexing software on an IBM compatible. Data could be entered using a word processor. I recommend something more heavy duty, especially with subject headings that have lots of subheadings. In order to keep the number of subheadings down I used a rule of thumb that if there were less than 5 or so entries under a subheading I put it under its broader heading. It is a good idea to at the end of major section use the thesaurus to standardize major parts. E.g. space had a large number of different satellites, probes and shuttles in alphabetical order by name of mission. I rearranged them into 4 or 5 categories and sorted them into their respective area. It helped by the 5th volume when space had become quite important in the magazine. Finally, resist the temptation to revise the first draft. Unless you're very careful, the index will grow and meander unless kept in check. Cheers, Dwight Walker Sydney, Australia :-) Reply to message text: ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I am involved in a project in a busy drug information center to computerize the current paper system of recording incoming questions and collecting statistics. By doing so we hope to be able to retrieve previously answered questions based on a search of keywords. Some of the difficulties we are encountering involve the standardization of keywords and controlling the size to which each database file grows. Has anybody on this list had experience with similar projects? Thank you in advance. Reginald E. Smith, at the College of Pharmacy University of Kentucky Lexington, KY