CD ROM to WWW migration -Reply

[Alexander Stroup]

I agree that from the maintenance standpoint Web based databases are much
easier for the library.  In the collection where I work, most of the
databses that were once on the LAN have now switched to web access.  But
I've noticed a few things that make me question the value.

1)Uniformity - I now find myself spending much more time instructing the
patron on the basic functionality of each database.  Before when we had
SilverPlatter for most of our databases much needed only one explanation
and could then be applied to the other databases.  Now I have to teach the
interface for ASFA and then when the patrons are ready teach them MedLine.
I don't mind so much, instruction is a big part of what I am paid to do,
but several patrons have expressed their dissatisfaction.

2)Ease of change.  This one is more personal.  HTML, as we all know, is
amazingly simple to tweak.  It wounds my professional pride when a patron
comes up to the desk as asks what something on the screen is/does and I am
forced to say "duh, I don't know, that wasn't there yesterday." 

Another problem is poor coding.  One of the databases we use on the web
has managed to set things up such that the pages contain check-boxes that
don't actually appear until the box is checked.  The novice patron has to
know they are there and click in blind faith.  This is probably some weird
interaction problem between their code and our version of Netscape but
still...

I'm done ranting now.

Alex Stroup

----
Assumptions are the mother of screwing up things.
		--Dr. Peter Jacso