CDL: Response #2, Database comparison service

[Original posting followed by the response]

===

From: H Robert Malinowsky <hrm_at_uic.edu>

I was just contacted about their service, too, but know little about
them.

It seems like a useful service but not sure it is worth $399 per year.
Then again, I spend a lot of time trying figure out the overlap.  I,
too, would like more information.

H. Robert Malinowsky
Professor and Manager of
Collections Development and Reference
University of Illinois at Chicago Library

===#2======

From: "Eric Rector" <rector_at_umbc.edu>

I expect that this service is fine, but comparing title lists is
relatively easy to do these days, since most vendors make their lists
available online or you can request them from reps.

All you need to do is import the lists into MS Access and run the 
"find duplicates query wizard" (make sure you use the same column 
headings).  Other db packages, e.g., FileMaker Pro, etc., may have 
some similar function, or you could write your own sql.

For instance, when UMBC was looking at coverage of ABI/Inform and
BusinessSource Premier, I ran a title comparison matched on ISSN. It
looked like this:

SELECT DISTINCTROW abiuse.Title, abiuse.ISSN
FROM abiuse LEFT JOIN BU_ft ON abiuse.ISSN = BU_ft.ISSN
WHERE (((BU_ft.ISSN) Is Null));

We were happy with the results.

Cheers,

-Eric
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eric A. Rector
Web Services Librarian
UMBC, Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery
URL: http://www.umbc.edu/library
Tel: (410) 455-3593
FAX: (410) 455-1906
Email: rector_at_umbc.edu
AIM: solved9000