Bob,
But that is what an OPAC is; a tool that was all the rage on our VAX-VMS
systems. The way that OPACs regurgitate machine readable records with no
awareness that there are actual humans on the other side of the screen is
rather dated. In fact, I would say that the horrific formatting that most
systems continue to force upon is the the very embodiment of why OPACs are
so incredibly NOT useful.
Think of all the time that could be saved that could be dedicated to
teaching information fluency, fostering a love of reading, working towards
library/information curricula and many other more worthy endeavors than
continuing to teach students how to interact with a closed environment
system that continues to pretend that it is 1965 and we are querying with
punch cards. We can do it. The technology is here. To argue that we have
learned to cope with the limitations of an OPAC and that we have already
taught our students how to operate within that crippled environment doesn't
help us move forward.
Christopher Harris - infomancy@gmail.com
Coordiantor, School Library System
Genesee Valley BOCES - Le Roy, NY
schoolof.info/infomancy | digitalreshift.org
On Nov 29, 2007 1:51 PM, Hassett, Bob E. <Bob.Hassett@fcps.edu> wrote:
> It's not that the OPAC is not useful, it's that its utility is
> restricted to a discrete and shrinking segment of the information
> spectrum.
>
> ---Bob.
>
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home