> I'm sure the Sheffield Hallam University and the University of
> Aberdeen won't mind me pointing UKOLUG members to their web site for
> further information on Sue's query.  Both libraries have been very
> active in educating their users (particularily undergraduates) on the
> use of RefWorks. 
> 
> And I quote Roger Hines, Sheffield Hallam University
> 
> "We chose Refworks because of its clear user friendly design that we
> felt would encourage undergraduate as well as staff and postgraduate
> use.  We wanted an Internet product that our users could access from
> any PC on the university network or from their homes without having to
> install software"
> 
> Just a note of clarification regarding the difference between the
> existing bibliographic products made available through CHEST vs
> RefWorks.  Unlike the other products, RefWorks is a web-based service,
> not a software application that requires a desktop download and
> constant upgrades. The maintenance requirement for RefWorks
> encompasses keeping an up-to-date IP authentification file for the
> site.  This technical requirement will be eliminated in the future
> once the service becomes ATHENS compliant. I also want to point out
> that Maggie Shapperton's review of RefWorks in June, 2002 was
> completed prior to the release of our lastest version 2.0.  The
> September release of Version 2.0 included enhancements requested by
> our users - Write-N-Cite, which provides the ability to cite
> references and create your bibliography in Word. Version 3.0 will be
> launched in December at London Online and will highlight the
> introduction of Z39.50 functionality along with a number of other
> features.   
> 
> Finally, a bit of history on the organization that I think is
> important to note since there has been a bit of discussion within the
> information industry.  RefWorks is an independent company with
> development offices in California. CSA is the exclusive distributor
> for the company.   It is privately owned by a group of independent
> investors - the majority owned investors being Robert Snyder, the
> Chairman of CSA and Earl Beutler, the former RIS (Reference Manager)
> Chairman.  In addition, the technical developers of RefWorks are all
> former employees of RIS and ISI ResearchSoft, who have a long history
> of bibliographic management developing expertise. 
> 
> In designing RefWorks, we focused on our client  - the library.  We
> focused on creating a service that is compatible with a host of
> services provided by the library, a service that must be managed and
> controlled by the librarian, a service that appeals to all types of
> users that the library supports and most importantly, a service which
> was affordable.   The end result - a web-based bibliographic
> management solution - RefWorks.  
> 
> 
> Tina Long
> Vice President
> CSA
> 7200 Wisconsin Avenue
> Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
> Tel:  +301 961-6771 or 1 800 843 7751
> Fax: +301 961 6708
> Email:  [log in to unmask]
> URL:  www.csa.com
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sue Cumberpatch [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 6:56 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [LIS-UKOLUG] RefWorks and StudentRef
> 
> 
> This is two questions:
> 
>  - Has anyone expressed an interest to CHEST for RefWorks?  Has anyone
> tested this software yet and has any comments?  We are planning to
> trial it for six months, and would like to compare notes with other
> sites. We currently have a site licence for Reference Manager, but
> that is up for renewal soon.
> 
>  - I wonder if the new ISI product StudentRef will be comparable.  It
> is aimed at undergraduate users. I shall be at the launch on 5
> November in London, and will be asking about a trial for this too.
> Has anyone else trialed it yet?
> 
> Thanks
> ------------------------------------
> Sue Cumberpatch
> Electronic Services Librarian
> J.B.Morrell Library
> University of York
> YORK YO10 5DD,  UK
> 
> Tel : +44 (0)1904 433891
> Email : [log in to unmask]
> ------------------------------------