Online Information Review

Bing Tan; Schubert Foo; Siu Cheung Hui

2001 Online Information Review

doi: 10.1108/14684520110381268

The dynamic nature of information content on the Web has posed a serious problem to users who need constantly to keep track of the latest updates on specific information. Traditional search engines enable users to retrieve potentially relevant Web information, but they do not track and monitor Web pages based on users' interests. On the other hand, Web information monitoring systems are designed specifically to help users track and monitor Web information. However, to make Web monitoring effective, it is necessary to identify and understand typical Web page update characteristics so that useful monitoring features and functions can be designed and built into these systems. In this study, a total of 105 Web pages from the Internet were collected and monitored over a one-month period. These pages are selected from seven domains under Yahoo!'s directories. The analysis results are presented according to Web site domains, Web page types, Web page attributes and change frequency. Based on this study, different functions and features for a Web monitoring system are identified. These features have been incorporated into a Web monitoring system, WebMon, that has been developed at the School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Linda Stoddart

2001 Online Information Review

doi: 10.1108/14684520110366661

Intranets are frequently promoted as a route towards the sharing of knowledge in organisations. Experience demonstrates, however, that many intranets were launched without clear objectives or strategy and have evolved in an ad hoc manner, resulting in systems with limited relevance. This article is in two parts. Drawing on data collected through a survey of the use of intranets in several corporations and international organisations, the first section provides an overview on how intranets are currently being used. The second part discusses good management practices for the development of effective intranets which stimulate knowledge sharing and the role they could play in facilitating knowledge management initiatives.

Thomas R. Kochtanek; Ahmad Rafee Che Kassim; Karen K. Hein

2001 Online Information Review

doi: 10.1108/14684520110366698

The goal of Project DL (www.coe.missouri.edu/~is334/projects/Project_DL) is to provide an integrated resource where diverse information sources on the topic of digital libraries may be brought together in a single navigable Web site. The intent is to use the site as a learning tool to support exploration of selected research and development activities associated with digital libraries, and to facilitate end user interaction with the content of these various resources. The focus of this site is on accessing digital library collections as well as information resources related to the study of digital libraries. As such, the Web site is segmented into three distinct but integrated sections: digital library collections, digital library resources and digital library Web sites. This paper presents an overview of those three sections, their development, and the organisational considerations associated with each of the sections. The paper concludes with a special emphasis on the design considerations for creating a searchable Web version of digital library Web sites.

Kay Covert

2001 Online Information Review

doi: 10.1108/14684520110694577

Powerful results can be achieved when librarians combine their knowledge access skills with the OCLC (Online Computer Library Centre) CORC (Cooperative Online Resource Catalogue) service. As a state-of-the-art Web-based metadata creation system, CORC is optimised for creating bibliographic records and pathfinders (subject bibliographies) for electronic resources. CORC has evolved from an idea in OCLC's Office of Research through system development, to a core OCLC product offering in less than two years. As CORC use steadily increases worldwide, librarians continually find innovative ways to incorporate the service into their library workflow. Details about the OCLC CORC service, and examples of how three libraries are using CORC, are given. This is just the beginning for this cornerstone of OCLC's strategic plan.

Thomas Schaffer

2001 Online Information Review

doi: 10.1108/14684520110366706

To date, librarians have not produced a study comparing databases that are appropriate for political science research. This study compares the coverage, content, and retrieval methods for nine databases. The study uses sampling to evaluate search results for six topics, providing relevancy percentages for each database. The article also reviews the types of documents cited in these samples, and provides recommendations for matching each database to particular research needs.

Walter R. Blados; Gladys A. Cotter; R. Paul Ryan

2001 Online Information Review

doi: 10.1108/14684520110382023

The identification, acquisition, and utilisation of scientific and technical information is of paramount importance to the efficiency of the research and development (R&D) process. With the advances in information technology and information management, increased international participation in the aerospace field, and the realities of scarce resources for every nation, the strategies and benefits for international cooperation and resource sharing are readily apparent. With this in mind, a Working Group was established in 1994 to examine the issues, strategies, and actions required to develop a mechanism for improving the access to, and use of aerospace and aerospace-related information by developing a self-sustaining, worldwide network of partner organisations committed to sharing their data and information resources. The Working Group decided that the Internet would be the most suitable vehicle to provide such a mechanism and developed a prototype International Aerospace Information Network (IAIN) Web site, providing a catalogue of aerospace information sources from which information searches can be launched.