Dialog Web reliability

[Tim Tripp]

Thomas Edelblute wrote:
> 
> I am puzzled by the lack of responses regarding the use of Dialog's Web
> based product. Are people not using it because it is not reliable, or
> are there silent satisfied customers out there?  If we turn our students
> loose on it, will they be able to find what they are looking for?
> 

Thomas,

I was probably too quick on the delete key when your original message was
posted.  I don't mind DialogWeb, but as with so many things, it's a matter of
picking the right tool for the job.  I like to use Dialog Web when I'm doing a
search in an area I'm not familiar with, or when I'm just trying to get a
sense of what might be out there.  I love the fact that I can do a DialIndex
search without having to log in to the system.  Someone pointed out that it's
slow and clunky, and I would have to agree.  The frames interface can be a
real problem, especially when your firewall doesn't have enough open
connections to handle all the engineers checking out the Dilbert Zone when you
want to do a search over the lunch hour.

If I'm doing a focussed search on a select number of databases that I'm
familiar with, then I prefer the command line interface either through telnet
or dial-in.  It's quicker and more efficient, but with the new pricing
algorithm, probably not any cheaper.  This of course, is from an intermediary
searcher point of view.  I can't really offer any tips on turning your
students loose on it.  Although, come to think of it, I do like the web
interface if I've got my client looking over my shoulder.  It can be nice to
sit back and review the output, and pick selected items for displaying.

I do believe DialogWeb was discussed here a couple of months back (or may be
it was Buslib-L?).  Might be worth doing a search on the archives.

Cheers,

Tim 

-- 
Tim Tripp, Librarian                           
Spar Space Systems (Brampton)                
Spar Aerospace Ltd.                          
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