A comparative review of common user interface products

Abstract

A common user interface replaces the multiple interfaces found among individual electronic library resources, reducing the time and effort spent by the user in both searching and learning to use a range of databases. Although the primary function of a common user interface is to simplify the search process, such products can be holistic solutions designed to address requirements other than searching, such as user authentication and site branding. This review provides a detailed summary of software currently on the market. The products reviewed were EnCompass, MetaLib, Find‐It‐All OneSearch, ZPORTAL, CPORTAL, InfoTrac Total Access, MetaFind, MuseSearch, SiteSearch, Single Search, Chameleon Gateway, and WebFeat.

Citation

Dorner, D.G. and Curtis, A. (2004), "A comparative review of common user interface products", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 182-197. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830410543502