EDITOR'S NOTES
It’s All About Search
by
Dick Kaser
Last month, in our letters section, we heard from a reader who said we ought not to mix apples and oranges in our issues. The comment was in response to our February issue, where we had a big “helping you buy” article on one subject, while everything else in the issue was about something else.
Point well taken.
This month, our issue focuses on search technology, specifically on how search can make finding things easier for library patrons and information system users.
It’s a topic not unfamiliar to my content group at ITI, where we also publish Searcher and ONLINE magazines and produce the programs for WebSearch University and Enterprise Search Summit.
Search is, in general, a subject near and dear to us at ITI. It is also near and dear to my own heart, because I have worked for and with database producers and online services since, it seems now, the dawn of time (or at least since the days of the 300-baud modem).
With all that as prelude, I must tell you that I have deferred the “helping you buy” feature on Electronic Resource Management (ERM) systems originally scheduled for this issue to our July/August Buyer’s Guide.
In its place—and more in keeping with the theme of this issue on search—I have invited the producers of federated search systems to submit white papers on the subject. The appearance of this material marks the first time that Computers in Libraries magazine has opened its pages to vendor voices.
ITI itself has sponsored, in this issue, an article we just published in our Enterprise Search study. The paper reports the result of an ITI study about the challenges of multiple search solutions within a single enterprise. Our other sponsors have chosen equally valuable content to share with you.
Speaking of value, if you haven’t filled out our Technology Buyer’s survey yet, I would very much value your input. You’ll find the survey form reprinted in this issue (pp. 50–51) and on our website (https://secure.infotoday.com/cilsurvey/). Respond by May 31 to be entered in the drawing for a free conference registration.
Dick Kaser, VP, Content
kaser@infotoday.com
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