SilverPlatter Upgrade looks good

[Andy Shimp <andy.shimp@yale.edu>]

The upgrade described below has gone into effect for SilverPlatter
databases (the so-called java version).  This new version seems so much
improved that I wonder if we shouldn't remove links to the older version
from our web pages?  I don't even think this new version uses Java.  Since
the Orbis and full text journal links only appear on this version, I would
think we would want to point our users to it.

FYI: SilverPlatter now requires you to enter your email address in order to
view your SDI account, solving the previous problem in which anyone could
view (and alter) any Yale SDI account.

We may want to take advantage of the customization option available by
changing the "Check for holdings" button to "Check for Yale holdings."

-Andy

>Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 14:20:04 -0500
>From: "Barbara Herzog" <BHerzog@Silverplatter.com>
>Reply-To: bherzog@Silverplatter.com
>X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.75 [en] (WinNT; U)
>X-Accept-Language: en
>To: Barbara Herzog <BHerzog@Silverplatter.com>
>Subject: SP Internet Svc. Upgrade
>
>Dear SilverPlatter Internet Service Subscriber,
>
>The new WebSPIRS release, v.4.3, is on target for General
>Release on December 3. Many of you have
>taken advantage of the opportunity to preview the new release,
>which is available from our homepage at www.silverplatter.com.
>The response has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.
>
>The SilverPlatter Internet Service will be installing the new release
>on Sunday December 3, so all WebSPIRS 4 users will be switched
>over to WebSPIRS 4.3  that day. We've scheduled the
>upgrade to coincide with our regularly scheduled  maintenance,
>which occurs on the first Sunday morning of each month.
>We  expect the upgrade to be completed between 6 AM and 10 AM EST,
>during which time WebSPIRS will be unavailable.
>
>We'd like to assure you that the changes in this release make
>WebSPIRS much more intuitive and easier to navigate, but that your
>users will not require any re-training in order to feel comfortable with
>it.
>
>Major new features in WebSPIRS 4.3 are listed below. Note that most of
>these changes are configurable. Internet Service subscribers should
>contact SilverPlatter Technical Support to request any changes.
>
>*WebSPIRS now opens by default in a single full size window, eliminating
>
>the multiple browser windows that some of your users have found
>confusing.
>When users exit WebSPIRS, they will return to the web page they came
>from
>OPTIONS:
>- the size of the window can be reduced to the size of previous webspirs
>versions;
>- you may choose to retain the "Bring It Back" button when WebSPIRS is
>exited accidentally; window size is configurable
> - you may choose to run WebSPIRS in the browser window
>with the browser toolbar. This choice should be discussed with
>Technical Support before implementing
>
>* Authentication may be set up  based on referring web pages
>
>* WebSPIRS can be configured to go directly to the library's home page
>or other designated website upon logout
>
>* The size of the text entry box on the main Search screen has been
>reduced to a single line
>OPTIONS: retain the multiple line search box
>
>* The Order and  Check For Holdings buttons are now customizable.
>OPTIONS:
>- the graphical buttons can be replaced with textual links,
>which will both display  at the bottom of the record;
>- if you choose text links, you may edit the text that displays for each
>
>link
>
>* Search Hints and a link to the WebSPIRS tutorial are available when
>the user first enters WebSPIRS
>OPTIONS:
>- you may choose  to turn off the display of the Search Hints
>- you can replace the link with a link to any web site you choose
>
>* Navigating to the Full/Complete Record display is now done by linking
>on a text link at the bottom of the record
>
>* If you turn on the SDI feature, access to SDI accounts
> will be filtered based on the user's email address.
>OPTIONS: turn off the email filter
>
>*  The size of the window which opens to display the link to your
>library's OPAC for holdings information is now configurable
>
>* Pressing <enter> executes login ; searching ; and moving to the next
>page of displayed records
>
>* The cursor is automatically positioned in the data entry box on all
>screens
>
>* IE5.5 is supported
>
>*the default download for IE  users may now be set to have .txt as the
>extension
>
>*Netscape 6 is not a supported browser
>
> To preview the new WebSPIRS, please visit our website at
>http://www.silverplatter.com/webspirs4_3demo/index.html.
>
>As always, don't hesitate to contact SilverPlatter Technical support
>(support@silverplatter.com) with any questions.
>
>Sincerely,
>Tom Raposa
>Director, SilverPlatter Internet Service
>
>
>