AHIRSHON@VCUVAX.BITNET (02/07/90)
At the OCLC Users Council meeting completed yesterday, OCLC announced that they are going to go ahead with implementing 80% of the New Online System PRIOR to the implementation of the new telecommunications network. This is a reversal of the decision they made in September 1989. Initial intro- duction of the New System will proceed using enhanced terminal emulator software only. Field testing of the New System is scheduled to start this summer, with full migration complete "well in advance of the completion of the New Network migration." One of the reasons for doing this, ironically, is to extend the useful life of the M300 (IBM PC-based) terminal. OCLC states that "The fact remains that beyond the initial introduction of the New System, the M300 with 640K will remain only a terminal emulator, and an M310-level machine with additional memory will be required for full workstation operation" after the new telecommunications system becomes available. This is also a partial reversal of earlier OCLC statements. The terminal emulation software, however, will function on an M300 with as little as 256K. Users with 640K machines will be able to use CATME+, the shell to DOS, and can use block move capabilities. The M300 will NOT be able to do full record editing, will it be able to do windowing of simultaneous records, nor computer based training. Introduction of the New System will require changes to NOTIS GTO. I do not know whether NOTIS (1) completed their end of the reprogramming of GTO, and put it on the shelf waiting for OCLC to introduce the New System, or (2) slowed down their own work figuring OCLC was delaying implementation of the New System anyway. If the latter, this may cause problems when the New System becomes available. OCLC will be discussing the change in their plans with NOTIS soon, and more information should be forthcoming. Just thought you'd like to know! Arnold Hirshon Virginia Commonwealth University Member, SOLINET delegation to OCLC Users Council ahirshon@vcuvax