As an Internet user you are probably familiar with the basic concepts of TCP/IP. This is the protocol that supports the communication between the various computers on the Internet. You are probably aslo familiar with a Web browser (like Netscape). Web browsers use HTTP (Hyper Text Transport Protocol) to send you information. This protocol exists between the TCP/IP stack and the browser interface. As such, you don't need to be concerned with how it works.
A Z39.50 protocol stack exists between the TCP/IP stack and the BookWhere interface. It allows BookWhere to communicate with machines using a standard search and retreival "language". Just like HTTP you don't really need to understand how it works, the software takes care of the details.
Just like your Web browser can "talk" to any Web server, BookWhere can "talk" to any machine that has implemented the Z39.50 standard. A fairly extensive list of databases that can use this standard is included with BookWhere.
When you use a Web browser the usual dialog between your PC and the Web server is very
simple...."give me the data corresponding to this URL". Z39.50 is different in that it
allows for searching of the database held by the remote machine. For example..."Do
you have any books on Art?" While Z39.50 is a complex protocol, BookWhere users can
search these databases using a simple yet powerful graphical user interface (GUI).
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In the U.S.A. and Canada there are databases of Government information being made
available. Using BookWhere the resources of the largest single producer of information
are now at your fingertips.
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BookWhere gets you into the databases that are not available to these search engines. These
databases represent billions of dollars worth of published information.
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Organizations that want to charge for this service
(for example OCLC, Research Libraries Group and ISM Library Information Services)
require that you establish an account (subscription). This account information (User I.D. and
Password) can be specified in BookWhere and provide you with authorized access to these
databases.
Most databases do not require you establish an account. The MARC records are sent to your PC
without any explicit restrictions on use. It has been recommended that if you intend to
regularly use specific databases to derive cataloguing that you contact the institution
involved and obtain permission.
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You can download a free demonstration version of BookWhere
on the Web.
For more information or to order BookWhere or other products, contact:
ORDERS/INFO: 800-763-8542, 480-632-1901 or sales@balboa-software.com
What do I need to be able to run BookWhere?
You will need a PC running Microsoft Windows 8, 7, or Vista. You will also need
an Internet connection.
What kind of material can I find with BookWhere?
At the present time it is primarily libraries that have implemented Z39.50 searching.
Libraries put a wide variety of materials into their collections apart from
books. Video tapes, movies, audio tapes, maps, kits and all other materials
aquired by libraries are currently freely available.Will this work with my firewall?
BookWhere will work with MOST commercial firewalls. BookWhere (and Z39.50) use
ports 210 (2210 for the Library of Congress) to communicate. Your firewall needs to
be configured to allow communication on these ports. To see which port is used by a
particular system go into the Host Configuration dialog. Select a database and press
Modify Host. Then select Advanced to view the port number.Why is this different than Web search engines?
These Web based search tools provide access to information sources that can be
indexed on the Internet. These sources are limited to Web pages, FTP sites and various
electronic archives.
Is it legal to use the MARC records retrieved?
BookWhere-Pro allows libraries to export MARC records to their local automation systems.
We do know that if you are in the U.S.A. you are permitted, even encouraged, to copy records from
the Library of Congress for your own use. Are educational discount prices available?
Students and faculty at educational institutions can purchase BookWhere
from Balboa Software for a substantial discount
for personal use. Site licenses and multiple copy discounts are also available.
Contact Balboa Software for more
details.
Balboa Software
P.O. Box 3751
Scottsdale, AZ 85271-3751 USA
FAX: 480-632-6097
WEB: http://www.balboa-software.com
Data Magician is a trademark of Folland Software Services. BookWhere
is a trademark of WebClarity.