I agree that the loss will cause us to lose the complex searching
capabilities.  I use Toxline frequently but sometimes using the form in IGM
doesn't work for the more complex, multi-term searches.  I get messages
saying that it cannot process the search!!  So I go back to Elhill.  I know
I could use Toxline on Dialog, but I prefer Elhill.  If we are to transition
to web-based searching entirely, something needs to be done to make those
systems more flexible so we can refine our searches as we were taught years
ago on Elhill.  I am willing to learn new forms of access, if they will give
us access to capabilities we once had.

Auburn Steward, MLIS, AHIP
Center for Toxicology & Environmental Health
4301 W. Markham--Slot 767
Hendrix Hall--Suite 100A
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-614-2834
501-614-2835 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
http://www.cteh.uams.edu



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Burdick, Amrita J. [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, June 18, 1999 9:06 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Demise of Medlars access?
>
> I am really concerned about the loss of access points which will happen
> with the
> switchover to the web-based version of searching.  While PubMed has some
> advanced options, many databases -- such as AIDSLINE are available only
> through
> Internet Grateful Med.  Are we really going to lose the capability of
> searching
> many fields (such as chemical registry number, textwords with adjacency,
> author
> institutional affiliation, etc.)  that have been helpful in complex
> searches?  I
> contacted MEDLARS who told me to just enter textwords as MeSH headings
> which is
> an automatic mapping.  The method they suggested for institutional
> affiliation
> simply didn't work. I haven't explored all the other fields and which ones
> work
> and which ones won't but it doesn't look good.
>
> I don't mind learning new forms of access (as long as they work
> efficiently) but
> I am reluctant to lose the complex searching capabilities of Elhill!!!
>
> Amrita Burdick, Clinical Medical Librarian
> UMKC Health Sciences Library
> 2411 Holmes St.
> Kansas City, MO  64108-2792
> [log in to unmask]
> (816) 235-1876