I never thought I'd say this, but I think I have finally weaned myself from telnetting into Dialog, and I'm convinced that I'm the last person to make the switch. I cut my teeth on Dialog in library school back in 1980, complete with 300-baud acoustic couplers and thermal paper. When Dialog's web interface first came out, it was so buggy I never used it regularly; I was too tired of having to call customer service to have them re-run my search when the session froze up.
However, DialogClassic Web finally looks relatively user-friendly and has been stable the last few times I've used it. I know that all the hip, cool searchers laugh in their lattes at the thought of using what is essentially a telnet interface, but I like it.
So, an open note to Dialog: You can finally unhook the telnet port. Your last telnet customer has finally come around.
Count me among the last of the telnet users. I too am a recent convert to DialogClassic Web after about 15 years on Dialog's telnet software. I think they've done a great job with DialogClassic Web. Color me impressed!
Posted by: Sharon Shapiro | March 22, 2007 at 07:17 PM
ME: I tried it, and I may be able to give up the software, it's so close to that experience. I have a part-timer, in library school, and I'm doing my bit for Dialog by insisting that she learn and use it. Her friends in LS probably laugh at both of us, but it'll be their loss!
Posted by: Marilyn Bromley | February 26, 2007 at 06:37 AM
Gee, you were a latecomer, I remember the "ear muffs" and when the speed was 120 baud. It was painful at times to wait. I always wrote out my search strategy ahead of time because the cost per minute was so dear to the library.
Posted by: Michael Golrick | February 07, 2007 at 03:49 PM