From your 1997-98 OCLC Users' Council Delegates:
   Benard Strong          Marcia Talley
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   ph: 202-287-9463       ph: 410-293-6905

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> FOR MORE INFORMATION:
> Ericka Yaeger +1-614-761-5248
> [log in to unmask]
> Nita Dean +1-614-761-5002
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>
> OCLC SiteSearch 4.0 software uses Java to increase power, flexibility
>
> DUBLIN, Ohio, May 12, 1998--OCLC has released version 4.0 of the OCLC
> SiteSearch suite of software to help libraries integrate and manage
> their electronic resources.  The new release offers expanded features
> such as enhanced multidatabase searching and browsing, as well as a
> new
> technological framework for future OCLC SiteSearch enhancements.
>
> With the OCLC SiteSearch suite, users view library catalogs, local
> databases, remote resources such as the OCLC FirstSearch service,
> image
> collections, full-text resources and more using one interface--whether
> in the library, home or office.
>
> As part of the version 4.0 release, OCLC SiteSearch server components
> have been rewritten in the Java programming language, which increases
> libraries' ability to create unique features specific to local needs.
> The OCLC SiteSearch interface has been redesigned.  The new style
> complements the networked resources that are integral to OCLC
> SiteSearch
> 4.0.  Also, local customization of interface functionality will be
> easier using Java.
>
> OCLC SiteSearch 4.0 uses Java programs running on a library's server
> rather than using Java applets running on each library user's
> workstation, which avoids concerns of compatibility between Java
> applets
> and the users' Web browsers and workstations.  "Using Java on the
> server
> side means that OCLC SiteSearch 4.0 will work with next year's lowest
> common denominator workstation," said Taylor Surface, manager, OCLC
> Distributed Systems.  "More libraries will be able to use this new
> technology without having to upgrade the memory, central processing
> unit, and browsers on their workstations."
>
> Because Java is platform independent, libraries will have a wider
> choice
> of servers for OCLC SiteSearch implementation, including UNIX and
> Microsoft Windows NT.
>
> The new technological framework of OCLC SiteSearch offers libraries
> the
> ability to extend the Z39.50 protocol to search non-Z39.50 resources.
>
> OCLC SiteSearch 4.0 also offers enhanced multidatabase searching that
> allows libraries to create topic areas to help users simultaneously
> search multiple databases on a single topic.  Searching, index
> browsing
> and result-set sorting can all be configured to work with multiple
> databases simultaneously, whether the databases are loaded locally or
> accessed remotely.
>
> The new browse feature allows OCLC SiteSearch 4.0 users to browse an
> integrated list of terms from multiple databases.  This functionality
> helps users identify the appropriate search term in each database.
>
> The new interface can be viewed at
> <http://purl.oclc.org/SiteSearch/demo/>.  For more information on the
> OCLC SiteSearch suite of software, visit the OCLC SiteSearch Web site
> <http://purl.oclc.org/SiteSearch/>.
>
> OCLC Online Computer Library Center is a nonprofit, membership,
> computer
> library service and research organization whose computer network and
> services link more 26,000 libraries
> in 64 countries and territories <http://www.oclc.org/>.        (RJM)
> -30-