Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l Message-ID: Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1993 21:17:49 CDT From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum Subject: Welcome to PACS-L (Revised) Lines: 229 (PLEASE SAVE THIS MESSAGE) Welcome to the University of Houston Libraries' Public-Access Computer Systems Forum Overview The Public-Access Computer Systems Forum (PACS-L) is a computer conference that deals with all computer systems that libraries make available to their patrons. Utilizing PACS-L, users discuss topics such as CD-ROM databases, expert systems, hypertext programs, microcomputer labs, locally-mounted databases, network-based information resources, and OPAC's. The conference does not deal with staff-oriented functions in integrated library systems (e.g., acquisitions, cataloging, circulation, and serials control), staff-oriented microcomputer use (e.g., spreadsheets and word processing), or mediated online searching. While many users are librarians, PACS-L also serves computer specialists, faculty members, and others. The conference was founded in June 1989 by Charles W. Bailey, Jr. Currently, there are over 5,600 users in 49 countries. The conference is moderated by Dana Rooks and Jill Hackenberg. The Information Technology Division of the University of Houston provides technical support for the conference. Messages sent to PACS-L are reviewed by the conference moderators, who distribute messages on appropriate topics to conference participants. Normally, PACS-L users receive 5-15 messages per day. Please do not send messages longer than about 250 lines; break long messages up into multiple shorter messages. The University of Houston Libraries provides PACS-L as a public service. It does not verify the accuracy of submitted messages nor does it endorse the opinions expressed by message authors. Authors of PACS-L messages are solely responsible for content of their messages. All messages to the conference are automatically archived. Users can search the message database for specific information using complex Boolean queries. The most reliable method of searching the database is to submit batch search jobs to the list server via e-mail messages. Search features include nested Boolean expressions, search limitation by date and time, and SOUNDEX searches. An electronic journal, The Public-Access Computer Systems Review, was established in September 1989. The first issue was published in January 1990. The journal became refereed in November 1991. Articles are stored as individual files on the list server, and an annotated table of contents for each issue is sent out as an e-mail message to all PACS-L users. After looking over the table of contents, users can retrieve article files of interest. The journal is cataloged on OCLC and RLIN. The first two volumes of The Public-Access Computer Systems Review are also available in book form from the American Library Association's Library and Information Technology Association (LITA). The price of each volume is $17 for LITA members and $20 for non-LITA members. To order, contact: ALA Publishing Services, Order Department, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2729, (800) 545-2433. Volume one has a special section on SPIRES that describes how this powerful system is being used for locally mounted databases and campus-wide information systems, plus an in-depth symposium about staffing issues and public-access computer systems. It also has articles about Carnegie Mellon University's Library Information System II (and other innovative library automation systems), text management software, CD-ROM LAN implementations and network licensing agreements, Z39.50, and other topics. Volume two has a special section about major electronic serials on networks that includes papers by the editors and publishers of EJournal, The Electronic Journal of Communication, the Journal of the International Academy of Hospitality Research, New Horizons in Adult Education, the Newsletter on Serials Pricing Issues, Postmodern Culture, and PSYCOLOQUY as well as a guide to the important LISTSERV software. It also has a substantial symposium about network-based information resources and scholarly communication, plus a paper on machine-readable data files in libraries. Volume three has papers on campus-wide information systems and tools, including UC Berkeley's Infocal Campus Information Service, HYTELNET, LIBS Internet Access Software, and nonbibliographic applications of Z39.50. It includes an in-depth investigation of the future of electronic publishing, a paper on The Online Journal of Current Clinical Trials, and a bibliography about electronic publishing on networks. It also contains papers on reshaping library services and staffing to support emerging electronic information systems; the Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research, Industry, and Education; and search failures in information retrieval systems. All three volumes include columns by Walt Crawford and Martin Halbert, plus book reviews. Volume three introduced a new columnist, Priscilla Caplan. Topics covered include artificial intelligence, the Common Command Language, copyright and digital media, enhanced OPACs, help systems, hypermedia, Internet resources, and USMARC format integration. Contact the Editor-in-Chief, Charles W. Bailey, Jr. (LIB3@UHUPVM1), for further information about the PACS Review. An electronic newsletter, Public-Access Computer Systems News, is also distributed on PACS-L. The first issue was published in March 1990. Issues are sent out as messages on PACS-L. Back issues are stored on the list server. The newsletter is cataloged on OCLC and RLIN. For further information, contact the Co-Editor, Dana Rooks, LIBL@UHUPVM1. Libraries and academic computer centers are authorized to provide noncommercial access to the PACS Review and the PACS News via locally mounted databases, Gophers, WAIS servers, and other systems. The Library Technology Watch Program at the University of California, Berkeley distributes its electronic newsletter, Current Cites, on PACS-L. A second list, PACS-P, was established in January 1991 for users that want to receive PACS-L publications, but do not want to receive messages from PACS-L users. PACS-P serves over 925 users in 38 countries. Selected Commands To join PACS-L, send the following e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: SUBSCRIBE PACS-L First Name Last Name. (The UH list server also has an Internet address: LISTSERV@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU.) To receive the PACS-L publications only (no messages from PACS-L users), send the following message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: SUBSCRIBE PACS-P First Name Last Name. Do NOT subscribe to both PACS-L and PACS-P; PACS-L users receive all publications as part of their subscription. To sign off PACS-L, send the following e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: UNSUBSCRIBE PACS-L. To stop PACS-L mail when you go on vacation, send the following e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: SET PACS-L NOMAIL. To resume PACS-L mail delivery, send the following e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: SET PACS-L MAIL. To determine what your PACS-L distribution settings are, send the following message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: QUERY PACS-L. This is a useful command to try if you stop receiving PACS-L mail. The moderators may have had to set you to NOMAIL because of problems with your e-mail account. To send a message to the PACS-L, send your e-mail message to PACS-L@UHUPVM1. To obtain a list of PACS-L users, send the following e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: REVIEW PACS-L F=MAIL. To receive full documentation about searching the message database, send the following e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: INFO DATABASE. (A brief tutorial is also available. Send the message GET SEARCH DOC F=MAIL to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1.) To see what files are available, send the following e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: INDEX PACS-L F=MAIL. The file name for a PACS Review table of contents file starts with the word CONTENTS. For example: CONTENTS PRV3N8. The file name for a PACS News issue file starts with the word PACSNEWS. For example: PACSNEWS V3N16. The file name for a Current Cites issue file starts with the word CURRENTC. For example: CURRENTC V3N12. To retrieve a file, send the following e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: GET File Name File Type. To have a file sent via e-mail instead of via file transfer, add "F=MAIL" after the GET command. For example, to retrieve CONTENTS PRV2N1 via e-mail, send the following e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: GET CONTENTS PRV2N1 F=MAIL. To retrieve the cumulative index for volumes one to three of The Public-Access Computer Systems Review, send the following e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1: GET INDEX PRV1 F=MAIL. For More Information About PACS-L Bailey, Jr., Charles W. "Electronic (Online) Publishing in Action . . . The Public-Access Computer Systems Review and Other Electronic Serials." Online 15 (January 1991): 28-35. Bailey, Jr., Charles W. "The Public-Access Computer Systems Forum: A Computer Conference on BITNET." Library Software Review 9 (March-April 1990): 71-74. +------------------------------------------------------------+ | Dana Rooks Voice: (713) 743-9807 | | Assistant Director For FAX: (713) 743-9748 | | Administration BITNET: LIBL@UHUPVM1 | | University Libraries | | University of Houston | | Houston, TX 77204-2091 | |------------------------------------------------------------| | PACS-L Moderator (PACS-L@UHUPVM1) | | Associate Editor, Communications, The Public-Access | | Computer Systems Review | | Co-Editor, Public-Access Computer Systems News | +------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------+ | Jill M. Hackenberg Voice: (713) 743-9761 | | Physical Sciences Librarian Internet: | | University of Houston LIBJ@JETSON.UH.EDU | | Houston, TX 77204-2091 | +------------------------------------------------------------+ | Associate PACS-L Moderator (PACS-L@UHUPVM1) | +------------------------------------------------------------+ Revised 2/1/93