SilverPlatter releases ERL 4.0, WebSPIRS 4.0 and silverlinker

Abstract

SilverPlatter Information Inc. has released ERL 4.0, its next generation of client/server software which allows organizations to locally load pre-mastered databases on local Unix or NT servers and offer them for use via the Web, a Windows client or a VT100 telnet interface.

SilverPlatter Information, Inc. is one of the more popular distributors of online databases either on CD-ROM or through its ERL system which allows organizations to load databases in local servers running under Unix or Windows NT. SilverPlatter currently distributes over 200 bibliographic databases, primarily to the library community.

SilverPlatter has released ERL (Electronic Reference Library) 4.0, it's next generation of client/server software which allows organizations to locally load pre-mastered databases on local Unix or NT servers and offer them for use via the Web (WebSPIRS), a Windows client (WinSPIRS) or a VT100 telnet interface. ERL release 4 maximizes the benefits of Web technology offing links to full text, Web administration tools, and SDI's. It is Z39.50 compliant. Another feature of ERL release 4 is that some databases may now be updated on a weekly basis via an electronic transfer over the Internet as well as ERL database authorization sheets (an authorization sheet or token is required for security purposes so that SilverPlatter knows that you have subscribed to a particular database). Both of these updates can be done over the Internet using QUIKdata, SilverPlatter's electronic update service.

WebSPIRS 4.0 is the latest World Wide Web interface to SilverPlatter databases which was released in July 1998. It is part of SilverPlatter's ERL Release 4.0. Some of the enhancements to WebSPIRS 4.0 include a more intuitive interface incorporating frames technology and JavaScript for point and click navigation and information display; the ability to choose from two search templates ("Basic" for simple searches and "Search Builder" for sophisticated users); the ability to launch SDI (Selective Dissemination of Information) alerts; and notification of local serials holdings information via a link with a library's OPAC.

SilverLinker is SilverPlatter's solution for attempting to integrate bibliographic references with corresponding full-text articles available on the Web. According to Jenny Walker, Director of Technology Product Development, SilverLinker will allow access to full-text in several ways "Users can connect to full text by web links to electronic journal online services; web links to customer-hosted electronic journal collections; web links to OPACs for queries of library holdings; and Web links to selected document delivery suppliers - all at the desktop."

Users will link to electronic journal services through a database of links, called the SilverLinker Database (SLDB) which contains URL links to a growing list of publisher and subscription agent partner services, including Academic Press's IDEAL service, Springer-Verlag's LINK service, Sweits & Zeitlinger's SwetsNet Service, and Blackwell Information Services Electronic Journal Navigator Service.

The initial SilverLinker Database will provide URL links at the article level and these links will be inserted into SilverPlatter ERL bibliographic records. Libraries will still need to independently negotiate licenses directly with publishers or their agents. SilverLinker will also allow libraries to disable links for those services for which they do not have authorization or access.

For more information contact: SilverPlatter Information Inc., 100 River Ridge Drive, Norwood, MA 02062-5043. Telephone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. URL: http://www.silverplatter.com