[WEB4LIB] FW: Z39.50

[pbinkley at library.ualberta.ca]

-----Original Message-----
From: Gimon, Charles A [mailto:CAGimon at mpls.lib.mn.us]

[snip]
 
> As for me, I'm hoping to start using the Finsiel Zetaperl 
> module "real soon now"; I've been kludging up my Z39.50 
> implementations using the Windows zclient.exe that comes with 
> CNIDR's free ISite software. If there were better high-level 
> programming interfaces for Z39.50, I probably wouldn't have 
> such a negative impression of it. 

There is now a PHP Z39.50 client module - I haven't tried it yet, but it's
available at http://www.indexdata.dk/phpyaz/ . 

The "Z39.50 is dying" comment may derive from Steve Coffman
(http://www.infotoday.com/newsbreaks/nb000207-2.htm). Whatever the merits of
his scheme for Earth's Largest Library, I think he has given Z39.50 short
shrift; for example, he doesn't mention clients like SiteSearch that merge
and deduplicate result sets. Since reading his article, though, I always use
"ferrets" as my test search on Z39.50 targets.

Peter Binkley
Interface Development Coordinator, Alberta Library Interface
email: pbinkley at thealbertalibrary.ab.ca
phone: 492-5282, ext. 242 
fax: (780) 492-9243
post: Cameron Library 4-40
      University of Alberta
      Edmonton Alberta 
      T6G 2J8