relevant databases

[Kimberly Parker <kimberly.parker@yale.edu>]

This came across the Silverplatter, and I thought it would be of interest
to this group.  "Select Relevant Databases" is an option in the Java
version.  There is something similar in the Web version "Term in Database
Search", and I don't know if the same problem applies there.  If followup
messages with clarification appear on spin-l, I'll pass them along.

--Kim

>We have noticed the following problem with the use of   "select relevant
>databases" (in Webspirs 4.1):
>If any of our databases are being used by the maximum number of users, the
>search aborts.
>To us it seems that the maximum is what should apply to actual searching. If
>selecting the database takes up 1 user for each database, no one will be able
>to use this function very much.
>(And in fact, we now are dealing with this by telling the users not to use
>it.) As a minimal fix, perhaps it could simply skip such databases with a
>warning but not quit altogether.
>
>--
>David Goodman
>Biology Librarian, and
>Chair, Vendor Relations SubGroup, Electronic Resources Advisory Group
>
>Princeton University Library
>dgoodman@princeton.edu         http://www.princeton.edu/~biolib/
>phone: 609-258-3235            fax: 609-258-2627
>