Logical Hubs will as
far as I can see either be topically defined e.g. mental health or media defined
e.g. e-books and e-journals. For the end user it should make the whole
search experience easier because it should be more intuitive to them. Mind
you I agree with Dave, what makes sense to me doesn't often to a lot of other
people!
The more important
line in the report though is
search
query syntax mapping –translating search syntax used within NLH to that of the
underlying targets
Effictively this means that we can benefit form the
advantages of controlled vocabularies outside of the sources we use and tems
should be translated into a variety of controlled vocabularies at once via
something like a taxonomy server. If this is achievable it'll be mightily
impressive! The key thing for me is this must be married with the ability
to develop complex searches along the Dialog/Cochrane model of search histories
as opposed to the Google model of bang the search in and either get it right or
wrong.
The other aspect that concerns me slightly is that the
emphasis on developing Research Pane technology seems to ignore the fact that
NHS IT seldom works at the cutting edge of Microsoft technology despite the
licensing agreements allowing us to do so. We've still not rolled out XP
here let alone Vista, I suspect we aren't alone. Office 2000 is still the
preferred software not 2007.
If anyone has comments that need taking to TDAG can you
let me know.
Kieran
Kieran Lamb
Head of Library
Services
Fade
Library
Liverpool
PCT
Regatta
Place
Brunswick
Business Park
Summers Road
Liverpool
L3 4BL
Tel: 0151 2854495
Fax: 0151 2854499
www.fade.nhs.uk