OCLC Micro Research Articles

OCLC Computing—A New Feature of Computers in Libraries Conferences

A special track, sponsored by OCLC Micro magazine, has been added to the annual Computers in Libraries Conferences. Convened by Dan Marmion, editor of OCLC Micro, the track has been planned by Dave Brunell, executive director of Bibliographical Center for Research (BCR).

A Closer Look at…

If “In the Movies” seemed to be the theme of my 1990 columns for OCLC Micro, then the motto for 1991 should read something like the title of one movie, “Network.” I don't intend to deal with the machinations of TV news, even though I think the scenes in that black comedy sometimes bear a frightening resemblance to some of today's offerings. Instead, I'm going to focus on the expanding opportunities—from an information provision, not technical, standpoint—that librarians have available through networking.

MicroMARC:amc Version 2.11

IN JULY, 1990, Michigan State University released the latest version of the MicroMARC:amc archives and manuscripts cataloging software, version 2.11. [Earlier versions were discussed in OCLC Micro 3(3):14–16 and 4(3):14–17.] Enhancements to the system that further increase its flexibility include the ability to import and export records in any of the MARC formats. This means records in the books, serials, visual materials, music, machine readable, etc., formats can now be loaded onto the MicroMARC:amc system. Once on the system, the user has the same ability to search and create reports with these records as with the records in the Archives and Manuscript Control Format.

Micro‐Madness:

In the classic film Citizen Kane, Orson Welles, after many re‐writings, began his newspaper career with a “Declaration of Principles” to serve readers as a promise or guide for the future. While perhaps not so lofty, this inaugural installment of my new regular column in OCLC Micro also seems an auspicious moment to outline my intentions for this column. Given the march, or run, of technology, perhaps this statement will end up shredded as Kane's did, but the opportunity to put on paper, particularly at the start of a decade, a few notes about microcomputer directions is irresistible.

Improving on “The One‐Disk Approach to Many SAVEKEY.DATs”

Our method for increasing the speed of batch file execution, is based on Paul Carnahan's article in OCLC Micro, June 1988, pp. 23–24 and 28. It also includes several other techniques that I've used in our batch files.

MicroMARC:amc Revised

In the June 1987 issue of OCLC Micro I wrote about the MicroMARC:amc software developed at Michigan State University for use with the USMARC Archival and Manuscript Control Format (AMC). Since then the number of users has doubled and the next version of the system has been developed. Version 2.0 incorporates improvements users indicated they would like to see in the system. Here's a brief description of the changes and what they mean to users. For a complete description of the system, please see OCLC Micro, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 14–16.

NETWORds

The original version of this article (OCLC Micro, vol. 3, no. 3, June 1987, pp. 6–7) contained an error. If you have DOS 3.1 or above and followed the instructions in the article, you could (as promised) save bibliographic record screens on a hard disk and transfer them to the Cataloging Micro Enhancer local bib file, but when your CAT ME session was over, your A drive wouldn't function. [The reason is explained elsewhere in this issue, in the section “ReCALLing” in DOS‐tips, p. 7.]

Interlibrary Loan, Dial Access, and ProComm

Erwin Welsch's article in the April OCLC Micro described an automated OCLC dial access procedure using an IBM XT, AT, or compatible, a Hayes 1200‐baud modem, and ProComm communications software. Using the command file and keyboard macro capabilities of ProComm, the procedure streamlines access to the OCLC On‐line Catalog and eases the pain of microcomputer‐to‐OCLC keystroke translation. Using Welsch's online catalog searching procedure as a model, we created an application for our interlibrary loan staff.

Selecting a Communications Program

After reading my April 1987 OCLC Micro article, several librarians have asked about ProComm and its selection as a communications package of choice and, in general, what principles to use in selecting communications packages for access to OCLC. The questions came about in part because ProComm was comparatively little‐known until recently. For example, a survey conducted by PC World found that the most commonly used packages were Crosstalk XVI and Smartcom II, followed by PC‐Talk, but no package dominated; ProComm was unmentioned. It also wasn't included in PC Magazine's otherwise comprehensive evaluation of communications programs nor was it listed in any of the standard guides, such as Bowker's, to PC software. But that was an oversight; it is a superb program.

Automated Exiting from OCLC with ProComm

My article in the April 1987 OCLC Micro (pp. 23–26) described the use of the communications program ProComm to ease access to OCLC when dialing through a PC. It included a series of batch files and logon commands for speeding entry to OCLC and printing the results automatically.

Adding a Menu to Your Hard Disk

The April 1987 OCLC Micro (p. 13) describes one way you can set up a menu system to make it easier to use a hard disk. Here's a variation that uses simple commands as well as a menu, leaving people free to use either. The instructions assume you're familiar with the MD (MKDIR) and CD (CHDIR) commands.

Teeny Type for Tiny Things

Teeny Type is a combination of condensed and superscript dot matrix type styles with narrow line spacing. It can be used for labeling small objects such as slides, contents of disks, etc. These directions for creating Teeny Type are for Epson printers but will work on some other models also. You can create Teeny Type with your OCLC Terminal Software and, if you want to use it with other programs, directions for creating a batch file are also given. [Editor: Another method that produces much the same results was described in OCLC Micro, vol. 1, no. 4, on p. 34. None of these methods will work with a daisy‐wheel type letter quality printer, nor will they work if you have set the DIP switches on your dot matrix printer to near‐letter‐quality printing.

Printing Better dBASE Program Documentation with M3 WRITE

Have you installed M3WRITE (OCLC Micro Disk 2) or some full‐featured text editor as your dBASE III editor? If you have over 256K memory in your Workstation you can. If you have done so, then you know‐how much more efficiently you can create your dBASE command language programs.

Generating Name‐Authority Cards and Cross References Using Apple Writer II

The OCLC Name‐Authority File contains records on which local name‐authority cards and cross references can be based. The trouble used to be that the records had to be printed out, then typed manually. The advent of the M300 Workstation with its SaveScreen function allows users to save the name‐authority records to disk and manipulate them with a word processor or a database manager (see pp. 37–42, OCLC Micro, Oct. 1986). However, editing the records at the keyboard is little better than typing them manually. What is needed is a program that formats the cards automatically from the OCLC records.

Printing Bindery Forms with the User‐defined Function Keys

Regular readers of OCLC Micro will already be familiar with a number of creative applications for the user‐defined function keys on the M300 Workstation. In addition to automating repetitive cataloging and interlibrary loan commands, we have programmed the function keys to print author, title, and call number information on commercial bindery forms. Producing these forms directly from the online record greatly reduces bindery preparation time, and costly mistakes resulting from incorrect information being supplied to the binder have been virtually eliminated.

Beyond DOS: A BASIC Menu for Hard Disks

If you are one of the many people who have purchased an IBM PC or compatible with a hard disk (or added a hard disk to your M300 Workstation), you may find yourself with a bit of a problem. The advantages of hard disks have been well documented (see “Hard Disks for the M300 Workstation,” OCLC Micro, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 15–17). Besides room for large data files, they provide a place to install software program files, eliminating the need for extensive use of diskettes. Unfortunately, once you have this large group of files (which you should have divided into directories), you are faced with the problem of controlling the hard disk. You could spend $100 or more for a commercial hard disk manager, but a combination of DOS batch files and a BASIC menu program can solve the problem less expensively.

Integrated Function‐Key Sequences for the M300 Workstation

You can design sequences that use one function key to work on the results of another. In this way you can complete an entire ILL workform, sending fields in batches, and only rarely need to use the arrow keys. We've developed two related sequences‐one for book requests, the other to help you through requests for article photocopies. (The techniques used here were discussed in more detail in “Fun with M300 Function Keys,” OCLC Micro, vol. 2, no. 4, beginning on p. 21.)

“Vet Med” for the Trojan Horse

Since I am also the system operator (sysop) of the Biomedical Library's WELLSPRING RBBS here at U.C. Irvine, I was glad to see Cathy Moore's article “Low‐Cost, High Quality Software” in the April 1986 issue of OCLC Micro. Both public‐domain and user‐supported software (i.e., “shareware”) have not always received the recognition they deserve.

To Each Her Own: Function Keys

As OCLC Cataloging Subsystem users who rely heavily on M300 function keys, we were pleased to see the articles in the June 1986 issue of OCLC Micro encouraging function key use.

RE:Views

3by5 is a database management program that offers versatility and simplicity in entering and manipulating free‐text and/or structured data. The program can manipulate data with variable length fields and is therefore particularly appropriate for managing information with a high text content such as bibliographic citations. OCLC Micro readers should already be familiar with Version 1.0, which was originally released as a “freeware” or “share‐ware” program. It was distributed by OCLC with the May 1985 issue of OCLC Micro (OCLC ♯12129479).