billy@vaxb.acs.unt.edu (02/23/91)
Archive-name: library/on-line/unt-library-list/1991-02-21
Archive: vaxb.acs.unt.edu:libraries.* [129.120.1.4]
Original-posting-by: billy@vaxb.acs.unt.edu
Original-subject: Internet Library Guide
Reposted-by: emv@ox.com (Edward Vielmetti)
Hi,
The latest version of "UNT's Accessing On-line Bibliographic Databases" handout
is now complete. It now contains 168 library systems covering 220 sites.
Credit for most of the new information goes to Dana Noonan, Metro State
University (for all the UK info) and Peter Scott, University of Saskatchewan.
Included at the end of this letter is the answer to some questions that have
popped up on numerous occasions. Further discussion should take place on
preferably the PACS-L or LIB_HYTELNET mailing lists.
================================================================================
Billy Barron Bitnet : BILLY@UNTVAX
VAX/Unix Systems Manager THENET : NTVAX::BILLY
University of North Texas Internet : billy@vaxb.acs.unt.edu
SPAN : UTSPAN::UTADNX::NTVAX::BILLY
================================================================================
Some commonly asked questions:
How do I acquire the files?
The files are available on vaxb.acs.unt.edu (129.120.1.4) via anonymous FTP.
The files are:
LIBRARIES.TXT - ASCII version
LIBRARIES.PS - Postscript version
LIBRARIES.WP5 - WordPrefect 5.1 source (transfer in binary mode)
LIBRARIES.ADR - Numeric IP addresses of Internet libraries
LIBRARIES.CONTACTS - Contacts for some of the Internet libraries
NETWORKS.HLP - VMS help file source for a wide area networks help topic,
which includes a section on library systems.
BITNET only users should use the BITFTP service to acquire the files. I do not
personally know how to use BITFTP. However, it is definitely not accessed by
sending mail to BITFTP@UNTVAX. As an absolute last resort, the files may be
requested via email (note: some networks such as UUCP may file size limits that
may prohibit the transfer of these documents through electronic mail).
Why is there UNT's guide and the Art St. George/Ron Larsen guide?
Art St. George and I have some differences of opinion in the area of formatting
and what should be included in an Internet library guide. Though I could just
use the St. George guide, I need to format the information into a easy to use
for novice computer users for my on-campus users. It is not much harder to
provide it to the Internet at large and also gather my own information. Joe
St. Sauver, the author of the VAXbook, on PACS-L put forth a rather good
argument for the case that two guides are actually a benefical thing.
By the way, I think Art St. George's claim of FIRST, BEST, and MOST
AUTHORITATIVE is incorrect. If anybody deserves FIRST, it is Joe St. Sauver.
MOST AUTHORITATIVE is without a doubt the Internet Resources Guide. BEST is a
matter of opinion. I will not make any claims about my guide besides that many
people find it useful.
Are there some other useful sources of information?
1. HYTELNET - A Hypertext database for MS-DOS systems on Internet Resources
including Library systems. Available via anonymous FTP on
WUARCHIVE.WUSTL.EDU, WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL, or VAXB.ACS.UNT.EDU.
Written by Peter Scott, University of Saskatchewan. A new version
should be released in the near future.
2. LIBTEL - A TELNET front-end for VMS and Unix system to access Library
Systems. Available via anonymous FTP on VAXB.ACS.UNT.EDU. Written
by D. Mahone.
Where do I send updates?
Send all new information, updates, and deletions to BILLY@VAXB.ACS.UNT.EDU
(more details on first page of guide). If you are using a TELNET/TN3270 package
not listed in the appendix, please send me the information on it. Also, if you
have instructions for a library software package not yet described, please
send them to me and give me at least one example where it is in use. Sorry
about the Appendices on some library software that are not yet completed. I
will complete as time permits.
Why don't you use a smaller font size to save paper?
To keep 80 characters or less per line is the major reason. Also, a smaller
font will not save that much paper (I've looked at it).
I have problems printing the PostScript file.
I'm pretty clueless on this one. I have printed the PS file from a PC to an
Apple Laserwriter II without a problem.