Message-Id: <199705291848.NAA23119@library.wustl.edu> Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 13:41:32 -0500 From: Jeff Huestis <mailto:Jeff-Huestis@library.wustl.edu> Subject: Free the Catalogs, Frames, Javascript (fwd) To: Multiple recipients of list WEBCAT-L <mailto:WEBCAT-L@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU>
Has anyone else taken the approach of "frontending" vendor-supplied webcats/webpacs?Jeff Huestis ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 12:00:45 -0500 From: Raleigh Muns <mailto:srcmuns@UMSLVMA.UMSL.EDU> Subject: Free the Catalogs, Frames, Javascript
Being personally frustrated with the quality of the III web interface, I've taught myself how to take III Web OPACs and make them frames and/or javascript enhanced. In fact, independent of III, I've taken seven of YOUR publicly accessible catalogs and done just that (listed below). Choose your poison via:
http://www.umsl.edu/~muns/webcatdemos/
You'll find frames, and frames-based + javascript "hacks" of:
Arizona State University Deakin University (Australia) New York Public Library San Diego State University University of Missouri System University of Sydney (Australia) Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
The University of Missouri example demonstrates the only multi-campus union catalog of the group, and the SDSU frames only (no java version) demonstrates as garishly as possible how NOT to use graphics (it's meant to be amusing).
The point: the client/server environment of which the World Wide Web has been the most ubiquitous example is perfect for freeing people to "roll their own." If III keeps their web systems simple and modular, those of us wanting to use frames or java or whatever, can do that. Those NOT wanting to do it are thus also served.
I find myself in the contrary position of being a proponent of frames and javascript versions of the III catalog, yet not wanting III to do such development for us. The complexity of a system can be inversely related to its flexibility (and don't get me started on the Petrified Data Format). ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Raleigh C. Muns, Reference Librarian, UM-St. Louis mailto:srcmuns@umslvma.umsl.edu http://www.umsl.edu/~muns 314-516-5059