By Rosario Garza
MICROCON Software Support to End
OCLC has announced it will soon stop distributing and supporting its batch
retrospective conversion service, MICROCON. OCLC is replacing the MICROCON
service with a new, more flexible service called RetroCon Batch. If you are
considering doing a MICROCON project or are in the middle of one, please take note
of the following dates:
MICROCON software loans will stop December 31, 1998.
MICROCON software support ends June 30, 1999.
MICROCON diskettes will be processed through June 30, 1999.
Awareness of these dates will help you plan to finish any MICROCON projects you
have begun. Look for information about the new service, RetroCon Batch, in future
issues of Action for Libraries. If you have any questions or concerns about the end-of-life dates for MICROCON, contact BCR's Rosario Garza.
New OCLC ILL Macros Available
Eight OCLC Passport macros that support the
management of OCLC ILL Direct Request and Online Produce message file categories
have been created and mounted on the OCLC web site: www.oclc.org/oclc/passport/download.htm. The macros also can be downloaded via the OCLC Product Services
web.
The macro book is listed as ILLUTIL.MBK. Directly below the macro book are
instructions about how to assign keymaps to the macros. The instructions also
describe the functionality of each of the eight macros.
If you have any questions, please contact BCR's Bonnie Robinson or Regan Harper.
CAT ME Plus Support Nears End
Now that October has come and gone, OCLC and BCR are no longer supporting the
use of CAT ME Plus (DOS) software via the Internet. OCLC has not shut off access
via the Internet; however, if someone calls OCLC's user support desk (UNS) with a
problem, the UNS staff will not provide support and will recommend that the user
upgrade to Cataloging Micro Enhancer for Windows.
Users of CAT ME Plus via other methods (dial access or multidrop lines) are
reminded that OCLC and BCR will stop supporting the software as of April 30, 1999.
The Cataloging Micro Enhancer for Windows software is available at no charge from
OCLC's web site: www.oclc.org. A valid OCLC authorization number and password
are needed to download the software. If you have questions about downloading the
software, contact BCR's Jan Campau or Regan Harper.
Multidrop (Dedicated) Line Ending March 31, 2000
OCLC and BCR are pleased with the progress member libraries have made in
migrating to TCP/IP access methods. As of September 1998 more than 285
BCR/OCLC libraries were using the Internet to access OCLC cataloging and
interlibrary loan services. Internet connectivity continues
to grow by leaps and bounds. The Flat Fee Internet pricing option has exceeded
expectations. Multidrop lines are being removed and now constitute less than 30
percent of OCLC's overall traffic. Less than 70 libraries in the BCR region still have
a multidrop line installed.
Because the migration to Internet access is moving along so well, OCLC has
announced March 31, 2000, as the end date for the multidrop (dedicated) line network,
nine months earlier than the previously announced date of December 31, 2000.
All OCLC users should be receiving the newest Communications and Access Planning
Guide containing the latest access information. One copy was mailed to each library.
If you haven't received your library's copy of the guide, contact BCR's Cheryl Burkert.
