GEN : WEB linking to catalog

Fri May 7 17:32:16 EDT 1999

Andrew Mutch lists some important factors here.  As I responded earlier
to Mr. Masters on "a menu for library workstations", NT Script would
work here.  Mr. Mutch is correct with number 3 "Is the catalog Software
installed in the same location on every machine?"  If you can run the
catalog software from an individual PC then factor number 2 doesn't
matter with NT Script.  If you can run it from the PC then NT Script can
also if your using win 95/98/nt OS.  Factor 1, I haven't tried NT Script
with any browser other than Netscape because that is the only browser on
our public machines.

If your running something like Folliet, I believe this will work if you
can use the catalog file as a parameter to the catalog software
executable.  Such as:

FICS our_catalog.db

I forget the exact executable and real database extension but this
should suffice for example.

  As Mr.Mutch pointed out, what you may be hearing about is catalogs
already running a WEB PAC like our Innovative software does.  With the
Innovative WEB PAC you can put in a "static" lookup for any subject,
just look up a subject and make that URL the link to your look up such
as this link:

http://wncln.appstate.edu/search/d?SEARCH=interfaces

will give these results today and different results if the database is
changed

Num Mark SUBJECTS (1-6 of 6)                                          
Entries
                                                                       7
Found 
1        Interfaces Chemistry Of -- see --Surface
Chemistry                1 
2        Interfaces Computer -- see --Computer
Interfaces                  1 
3        Interfaces Physical Sciences -- 2 Related
Subjects                2 
4        Interfaces Physical
Sciences                                      1 
5        Interfaces Programmable Peripheral Microcomputer -- see
--Mic...  1 
6        Interfaces User Computer Systems -- see --User
Interfaces...      1 

  NT Script is $40.00 per single license with less per license in
quantity.  You might be able to do the same thing with BATSH, I'm not
sure I've never worked with it and don't know its cost if any.  Email me
off list if you need any more info on using NT Script.

Thomas

Andrew Mutch wrote:
> 
> Pat,
> 
> I think in most cases, those libraries that are doing this either have a
> web-based catalog which allows students to access the catalog on-line or they
> are using a link on the page to initiate a telnet connection to the catalog.
> In your case, it sounds like you want to place a link on the page that will
> launch the catalog software which you MAY be able to do.  There are several
> factors involved which will determine whether this is feasible or not.  These
> include:
> 
> 1)  Which web browser are you using and what version?
> 2)  What is the software that you would like to launch?
> 3)  Is the catalog software installed in the same location on every machine?
> 
> In some cases, you can create an association in the Web Browsers settings so
> that the catalog software is viewed as a helper application that launches when
> you click on the link.  If you can't do this, a number of people have created
> various workarounds using free and shareware programs like BATSH that will
> launch the application.  With some more info., I'm sure someone on this list
> can provide you with a working solution.
> 
> Andrew Mutch
> Library Systems Technician
> Waterford Township Public Library
> Waterford, MI
> 
> Pat Moore wrote:
> 
> > Posted to LM_NET, WEB4LIB and WINN-LIBNET
> >
> > The May 1999 School Library Journal in an article about where the library
> > catalog is going talks on page 34 about Interconnectivity within the
> > library.  It says that many librarians are choosing to link their
> > automated library catalog to the library web page so that with a click,
> > students can open the library catalog without having to go to the menu or
> > find a library icon to click on.
> >
> > I can find no one in my district who knows how this might be done.  If I
> > have the catalog software on every computer in the building, is there
> > language that will allow a student to click on the web page link and open
> > the application on the computers hard drive?  I'm looking for something
> > that wouldn't have to go through the web server, but would go directly to
> > a computer's hard drive.
> >
> > If you know how to do this, have done it or know where I can go to find an
> > answer, I would really appreciate your input.  Thanks!  Pat
> >
> > Patricia Moore, Media Specialist
> > North Polk Jr. Sr. High School
> > Alleman IA 50007
> > moore at comet.n-polk.k12.ia.us
> > http://www.n-polk.k12.ia.us/Pages/Departments/media/MediaCenter.html
> > *****
> > "Warning - Dates in Calendar are closer than they appear."
> > --http://www.coolsig.com/work.htm

-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas McMillan Grant Bennett           Appalachian State University
Computer Consultant II                  University Library
bennettt at am.appstate.edu               
http://www.library.appstate.edu/admin/
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