Hello, I'm a noobie to Code4Lib... hi, everyone.
I think OPACs are actually very good at keeping track of the older information structures (i.e. print serials). I would have no problem with abandoning the OPAC (whether entirely or conceptually as new versions are made) from a certain point forward, and using a new system that accomodates new information types (blogs? electronic journals, etc) and implements new features whether or not they are retrospective-ly capable. Looking at the E-R diagram for Endeavor's OPAC was kinda what convinced me not to get too eager to dump the old school OPAC. Jody ---- Original message ---- >Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2006 00:09:54 -0400 >From: Ross Singer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] next generation opac mailing list >To: CODE4LIB@listserv.nd.edu > >Eric, > >But that's where all my stuff is! > >-Ross. > >On 6/5/06, Eric Hellman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> I would argue that our energy would be better spent thinking about >> the next generation library rather than the next generation opac. >> >> Is it just me, or does anyone else feel that the very idea of having >> a catalog as an important component of a library smacks of retrograde >> thinking? To my mind, in a clean-slate NG Library architecture, the >> library catalog should only exist as a facade that recognizes of the >> vanity of libraries and the people who fund them. >> >> I can think of no technical justification for library catalogs as we >> look forward. If not the next generation, then the next- next >> generation of libraries. The functions that exist today in library >> catalogs need to be pushed in two directions- toward the user on one >> hand, and towards global registries on the other. >> >> the other Eric >> -- >> >> Eric Hellman, Director OCLC Openly >> Informatics Division >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2 Broad St., Suite 208 >> tel 1-973-509-7800 fax 1-734-468-6216 Bloomfield, NJ 07003 >> http://www.openly.com/1cate/ 1 Click Access To Everything >> >>