NEWS AND NOTES
Letter to the Editor Dear Sir: The citation index to the errata notices of the following journals has been updated through 1972: J. Chem. Phys. Vols. 1-57, 1933-72 (8 pages) J. Org. Chem. Vols. 1-37, 1936-72 ( 5 pages) Znorg. Chem. Vols. 1-11, 1962-72 (1page) In addition, citation indexes have been prepared for the following journals: J. Amer. Chem. SOC.Vols. 72-89, 1950-67 (10 pages) J.Phys. Chem. Vols. 54-76, 1950-72 (3 pages) Anal. Biochem. Vols. 1-50, 1960-72 (1page) J. Colloid Interface Sci. Vols. 1-41, 1946-72 (1page) J. Mol. Biol. Vols. 1-72, 1959-72 (1 page) The indexes are designed to facilitate the annotation of appropriate articles and can be used also for quick reference. Since the index generally will be of interest to libraries only, it may be ordered on a standard ALA-ILL form by specifying photocopy. DANA L. ROTH Millikan Library California Institute of Technology Pasadena, Calif. 91109
A ”Tongue-in-cheek” Glossary*
Algorithm: a series of steps usually giving the same answer (see minor bug) Authority list: terms which normally do not include the one sought Benchmark: time required for a computer run on data accumulated during a 3-day shutdown Boolean logic: and/or/not (used in enough combinations, this logic will either dump the file or give no hits) Broad spectrum of data: a t least two separate readings Chaining: a file searching technique designed for maximum efficiency in retrieving no answers Citation indexes: a useful mechanism for wide exposure of a paper (“wise” authors ensure inclusion of their papers by citing an authoritative article, whether relevant or not) Cluster analysis: best applied when data fall into only two obviously different categories Conceptual design: most safely stated as “a solution to the problem will be sought” Controlled vocabulary: clever approach to excluding search terms not thought of by the vocabulary designers (see authority list) Current awareness: accomplished by weekly sessions with postdocs working on the project Data base: synonymous with “everything but the kitchen sink” Deep indexing: more than one index term per article Easily modified program: any computer program which requires only one-half man-year of effort to change Easily updated file: a file which can be updated quicker by computer than by manual methods From the files of Seldon W. Tenant, ACS Books and Journals Division, R&D Dept., 1155 Sixteenth St., Washington, D. C . 20036
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Journal of Chemical Documentation,Vol. 13. No. 4,1973
Essentially error free: a qualitative term used to describe a file or product with a low percentage error-e.g., an alphabetical list with only 3.9% error; all of the D entries occurring between F and G Evolutionary system changes: a means of keeping users, programmers, analysts, and data processing staff alert Extensive survey: any survey based on a t least one response to a mailed questionnaire File maintenance: a process used to ensure that a file reflects data no more than two generations old (see easily updated file) Flow chart: a graphic representation useful in obscuring the critical, small steps that will cause the system to break down when implemented Improved access: a term best used to describe the difference between partial access and no access Information explosion: most frequently used and accepted alibi for not solving a problem in the information field Information management system: transfer of information to a computer base Inverted file: buzz words synonymous with “scrambled” file Literature search: best accomplished by copying recently published state-of-the-art articles with extensive bibliograp hies Management information system: see information management system Mechanized storage & retrieval system: an information system requiring a mechanical device-.g., a sorting needle used with edge-notched cards, an electrical switch to turn on a light bulb in library stacks, etc. Methodology: buzz word, normally used with “the- - - - -is too technical to explain in detail” Minor bug: any computer program malfunction that shuts down a given operation Modular and table-drive computer program: a program which requires only 75% reprogramming to adapt it (as opposed to complete reprogramming) Preliminary analysis: synonymous with “we have a problem” (see conceptual design) Present state-of-the-art: alibi, normally used with “it would be ( a ) impossible or (b) too expensive, considering the- - - - - - ” (see information explosion) Random sample: the first three or four people questioned Relevance & precision: terms most often mentioned to inject new life into dying discussions about information retrieval Roles and links: see revelance and precision Screen: synonymous with “filter,” a searching device used to obtain a residue of completely unrelated facts Search profile: normally used with “improperly constructed’’ to explain (a) no search hits or (b) dumping of the file Significant words: considered by a searcher to be the description of words in his search profile (which see) Simple hierarchy: description of an unstructured file Statistically valid: buzz words, meaning “the data collected prove my point” System test: initial operation of a system with the same data used in debugging the programs Thesaurus: see authority list and controlled vocabulary Tree structure: a more sophisticated way to accomplish the same result as chaining (which see) Tutorial: the most advantageous platform for use of buzz words User acceptance: difficult to determine; therefore, wise to ignore User feedback: synonymous with “what do they know, anyhow? ”
