Naming of Library [computer] appliances (OPAC or not)

[Sutherland, Paul]

Greetings 

We have a small group of colleagues who are trying to decide to change the
name of our OPACs (for no logical reason)

We are a DRA library.

This coincides with our migration from a command line (VT terminal) version
and a basic web interface to our databases (catalogue, Newspaper index,
Community database etc) to the newer Web2 interface from DRA. (which is not
yet available to the outside world)

We are also introducing Thin Clients as the machinery for our Web interface.

My colleagues seem to think that because the interface is new (and the Thin
Client devices are different) we must rename the devices used to access the
library databases - which of course are still the same old MARC things!

My belief that the word OPAC which is what we named our OPAC's when we
launched them in July 1989 has become a meaningful term for our customers
and is also a word beyond just being an acronym. (i.e. if it ain't broke why
fix it) 

What I am wanting from you is to know what do you call your OPACs (the
device that accesses your library databases)

& when did the word OPAC enter the English (or American;-) language.

Has anyone struggled with this issue in the past and what were your
outcomes.


Thanks for your help (in advance...)

/paul

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Paul Sutherland
mailto:Paul.Sutherland at ccc.govt.nz
 Information Technology Librarian
 Canterbury Public Library
 Aotearoa/New Zealand                 http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Library/

 My opinions only            Less is more, but not enough. Sol Le Wit