On 10/2/06, Dan Lester <dan_at_riverofdata.com> wrote:
[...]
> By the way, I did a search on a Canadian postal code, and although
> their example shows it entered with a hyphen (which is not the usual
> method to display Canadian postal codes), it does just fine with a
> space or with all six characters run together.
>
> It also provided the distances from that postal code, whether the
> library was in the US or in Canada. Again, the distances look to be
> quite accurate.
That is good to know. Thanks for the confirmation.
> RJ> So I take it OCLC cannot embed that information directly (at least not
> RJ> yet) unless they know first where you're coming.
>
> Do you have any examples of this being a problem in real life, or is
> this just a theoretical issue?
I don't have any examples in real life. But I know that the 5-digit
zipcode of my home town in my home country (Asia) is exactly the same
as the 5-digit zip code of Gusta, Kentucky, USA.
So, yes, this is just a theoretical issue. If I use worldcat.org from
my home country, and if OCLC covers that area, then I imagine entering
my home town's 5-digit zipcode should get me my local library rather
than the one in Gusta, KY.
Somebody could correct me if I'm wrong.
ranti.
--
Bulk mail. Postage paid.
Received on Mon Oct 02 2006 - 14:26:11 EDT