No subject

Infinitely better.  No single software to have to push out to various pcs,
since most of our online databases and reference services are already
web-based and have been for some time.  We tend to use the patron
empowerment features less than public sites, but we've been waiting for
close to four years now for a web-based catalog.  This is it.  (It is also,
in theory, supposed to be able to do hook-to-holdings against your journal
citations such as Wilson Web, EBSCO, etc., although I don't have that
demonstrated here and haven't seen it on anyone's ipac except for U
Chicago's 1.0 version.  I will be anxious to see this functionality on a 2.0
or higher machine very soon, in fact we're counting on it by fall 2002).

How does it compare to character based pac?  well, character based pac isn't
without its problems, but it is robust in terms of mapping and functions.  I
like web interfaces, I like things that go click and bump in the night, but
if the mapping and the features cannot *exceed* the functionality of the
character based pac, then the functionality is not where it should be.  
I think they have a product that can deliver that with ipac, so I'm
intending on settling for nothing less that <equal to> or <more>
functionality than character pac.  

I've said this with the Horizon upgrades and I'll say this with ipac -- if
the new products deliver *more* functionality, we're going in the right
direction.  If they deliver *less*, it's a lateral or a backwards move 
rather than a move forward.

The ipac is the closest I have seen of the various modules to be an improved
version, radically different from what we have been using.  Implementing the
ipac for us is a necessary option in order to tide over and buy us time to
figure out what to do with existing functionality in the other non-pac
modules that is/is not available in Horizon.  If ipac can deliver what we
need in public services, it takes the monkey off our back in many respects
while epixtech struggles to figure out functionality in the technical
service areas with Horizon.

I do find it easier to configure than WebPAC, despite the fact that I'm
gonna wear out the carpet rolling my chair over to the server each time I
have to start and stop jboss for every custom change I make.  :_)  (I have
no idea how people are doing this with a server in another room or another
building other than wracking up frequent flier points or wearing out a pair
of tennis shoes!)

My .02 worth.


Susan Johns 
Systems/Circulation Librarian            Voice:  (620) 235-4115 
Axe Library, Pittsburg State University  Fax:    (620) 235-4090 
Pittsburg KS  66762                      
suzyq at mail.pittstate.edu
http://library.pittstate.edu/staff/susan 


> 
> Everyone,
> 
> Allow me to introduce myself. I am the "new" (since May 2001) Associate Director
> of Drake Memorial Library at SUNY Brockport. Currently  I am trying to initiate
> discussion within our library as to whether or not it makes sense for us to
> migrate
> to iPAC.
> 
> I have some preliminary information on iPAC, including some information on
> system requirements and enhanced capabilities over WebPac. I have downloaded the
> "Pre-Installation Guide" so as to more fully consider the issues involved. I am
> starting to get preliminary figures from Janet Broderick as to likely costs, and
> I have searched the Dynix_L and iPac lists for people's comments about iPac.
> 
> What I would like (off-list, if you prefer) is some general comments on iPac,
> pro and con. I know Dynix thinks iPac is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
> I know many of you have expressed some concerns about bugs in the software (even
> in versions 2.0 and 2.01). It would help me, however, is you could pass on some
> summary comments about iPac: "What I like and don't like about iPac." "If I had
> to do it over again, I still would [or wouldn't] migrate to iPac, and why." etc.
> Comments on the add-ons (Consolidated Searching, and Enhanced Content) would
> also be helpful.
> 
> As I am sure you all appreciate, I would like to accumulate as much information
> as possible, so as to make an intelligent, well-informed decision.
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> Christopher Brennan
> Associate Director
> State University of New York College
> Brockport, New York 14420
> cbrennan at brockport.edu
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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>