I agree that the Discover word cloud is less than stellar. Rather than refining, it simply provide other keywords to search, usually that are far too broad to be helpful. It is a not-so-good attempt to add visualization to the search process.
That said, there is much I like about AB, as an end-user. First, the results returned by relevancy is not only useful, but also transparent to the user, based on the "Found: " keywords. And the limit by call number is very useful and actually encourages browsing and serendipity.
As an end-user, I find the multiple methods of refining (using call numbers, facets, and keyword searching) provide a more useful and helpful experience than most OPACs provide.
Karen R. Harker, MLS, MPH
UT Southwestern Medical Library
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75390-9049
214-648-8946
Yahoo IM: karenharker
>>> On 12/20/07 at 1:51 PM, in message <410-2200712420195110138_at_earthlink.net>, Nancy Cochran <nancy.cochran_at_earthlink.net> wrote:
It is never my intention to put down a group that tries to contribute to
libraries. I have more respect for libraries than for any intellectual
group I know of online.
However, in my opinion Aquabrowser is only a PRETTY PICTURE. It does
little except divert a user from what that user started to look for to
something different. (Type a word. Reduce the hits by selecting from the
"word cloud" twice and see if you have hits that are more helpful than the
original list of hits. My experience is, not usually.)
Aquabrowser's "word clound" changes a user's search in ways that may seem
"pop" or "hip." But it usually does not tunnel down on an initial search
and help a user find a more focused set of hits.
I submit that Aquabrowser makes a naive searcher FEEL HAPPY and does little
else except by serendipity. At its best, perhaps Aquabrowser introduces a
naive user to new material and new ideas. But that is not why we teach
people to search.
The best part of the Aquabrowser display continues to be "Refine by Call
number Range" a structure which many of you have built over many years of
hard work.
In my opinion, Aquabrowser in a visual bleep in a stable, growing system
that librariians and others are working to build.
sorry
Nancy Cocrhan
nancy.cochran_at_earthlink.net
> [Original Message]
> From: Tod Olson <tod_at_UCHICAGO.EDU>
> To: <NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu>
> Date: 12/20/2007 1:49:59 PM
> Subject: [NGC4LIB] AquaBrowser in beta at U. Chicago
>
> NGC4LIBers might be interested in the University of Chicago's
> AquaBrowser implementation, currently in beta:
>
> http://lens.lib.uchicago.edu/
>
> Currently, one can search our catalog records, EADs, and website;
> catalog records are enchanced with SFX and Metalib data, Syndetics
> TOCs and summaries, and other info. We are also experimenting with
> metadata from the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. We will be
> adding more data sources in an ongoing manner. For example, over the
> Winter,we plan to include some of our digital collections that are not
> in the traditional catalog.
>
> Your feedback is welcome; there's a link at the bottom of the results
> page.
>
>
> Tod Olson <tod_at_uchicago.edu>
> Systems Librarian
> University of Chicago Library
Received on Thu Dec 20 2007 - 16:46:21 EST