What is 360 Search?
31 August 2007 byThis fall the library introduced a new tool that is called 360 Search (see www.lib.umt.edu/research/360search.htm ) This is software that enables the federated search or “metasearch’ capability that Jennie Burroughs wrote about earlier this month (see Federated Searching in Info Issues). The library’s goal in the implementation of this tool is to provide students and researchers a faster method of searching through the ability of searching several databases at once. We also expect to make better use of the dozens of databases we license through the pre-set clustering of databases around a subject. Each subject area has a cluster of databases selected by the librarians so that a person can request a search be done by category or select among the listed databases. The result list from a search presents the searcher with options for sorting and filters to get to the most appropriate information.
Expect to see further refinement of the clusters of the databases and changes in the web page as we continue to use this new feature. Users are encouraged to provide feedback on the 360 Search page or to contact any of the librarians.
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Congratulations on the new 360 search engine- it is the most user un-friendly tool I’ve ever come across. Please, please, please go back to the old search engine that is faster, more accurate, concise, and just plain easier. I can’t express how bad this new 360 search is for me, my collages, and professors considering how good the old search tool was- why change it? It now takes 10 times as long to find what used to take 30 seconds.
By the way your library personal also think this is true and have been getting similar complaints.
Sincerely
Aaron Zadow
The new 360 search has maintained all of the search capabilities of the old system while adding the ability to search across multiple databases at one time. Please contact us for individual or group presentations to assist with addressing your research needs. Liaison librarians can be contacted from our website at: http://www.lib.umt.edu/about/policies/cii.htm or contact me directly.