Voyager Canned Search Generator 2

Voyager Canned Search Generator 2.0

What Is It?
It is a tool to create direct links to Library catalog searches (including limits) and Course Reserves. Main features: Version 2.0 is able to generate canned search links for - catalog searches - course reserves - location searches - other searches using Voyager's set limits

How to Use It?

Step 1: Do a catalog search. Copy the URL and then paste it into the Canned Search Generator.
Step 2: Press the "Generate new URL" button.
Step 3: Copy the new URL to your web editor. Save it, and test to make sure it works.

Want to see a video demo? [1 minute 11seconds, Flash movie; Video only. No audio.]

LOCATION (optional)
You can limit your canned queries to a specific location:

- Do a catalog search first. Then copy the URL and paste it into the Canned Search Generator.
- Enter a specific location name. E.g.: The Architecture Library [Exact wording and case sensitive]
- Then follow Step 2 and Step 3 to complete the process.

Want to see a video demo? [57 seconds, Flash movie; Video only. No audio.]

SET LIMITS (optional)
You can also limit your canned queries by Language, Medium, Type or other options.

- Click the "set other limits" button, and then select desired limit options.
    E.g.: videorecording [ from Medium]

   Note: Multiple items can be selected from the same field by holding down the CTRL key.
   E.g.: videorecording [ from Medium]
                computer file [ from Medium]

- Then follow Step 2 and Step 3 to complete the process.

COURSE RESERVE (optional)
- In your Library's online catalog, click the Course Reserve tab.
- Conduct a search. Copy the URL and then paste it into the Canned Search Generator.
- Then follow Step 2 and Step 3 to complete the process.

Troubleshooting

         Q: Why didn't Enter Location Limit work for me?
         A:   A location name is CASE SENSITIVE. When you enter a location name, make sure to
               enter it exactly as it is worded in your online catalog's SET LIMITS screen. Do not drop
               the article "The" if it is part of the name.

         Q: Why I can't see the "Copy" button in the Generator?
         A: If you are using a browser other than I.E., you may not be able to see the "Copy" button.
              In that case, you must manually select and copy the edited URL.

Examples of Canned Search Types

You can use this tool to generate various kinds of canned search links. See some examples below:

Single Item Search
	Book: Building XML Web Services for the Microsoft .NET Platform Journal: The Journal Educational Technology Systems E-Journal: Chemistry & Biology By ISBN: Understanding Virtual Universities By ISSN: Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin Database via catalog: Lexis-Nexis Academic Syntax: The syntax of ISBN canned search is: ISBN+ISBN numbers (i.e. ISBN+1841500526). In a catalog keyword search, however, one must leave out AND when doing an ISBN search (i.e. isbn 1841500526). When doing an ISSN search, one must use quotation marks (i.e. issn "0705-3983") since 0705-3983 is treated as a phrase.
Author Search
	Single author: twain mark Last name and partial first name: smith la* keyword + author search: (american AND history)[in Title] AND (smith)[in Author Name] Syntax: Use Keyword/Builder Search to construct customized keyword/author searches. This will generate the right syntax for you. Then copy the catalog search URL to the Canned Search Generator to generate the queries.
Keyword Search
	Simple search: "beef cattle" and nutrition Nested Boolean: ("native american?" or "american indian?" or "indians of north america") and "sound recording" Search restricted to a specific LOCATION: "consumer behavior" (limits to the West Campus Library at TAMU) Search restricted to a specific MEDIA TYPE: "gone with the wind" and videorecording (video format only) Syntax: The keyword search setup is simple and straightforward. Just copy the search URLs and then follow the rest of the processes.
Subject Search
	LC subject search: texas history Mixed subject search: (distance AND education)[in Subject] AND (e AND learning)[in Title] Syntax: Setupwise, subject searches are not much different from other search types.
Course Reserve
	Link to Chemistry 101 course reserve materials: Course Reserve = Course=101: CHEM Original source coding looks like this: http://libcat.tamu.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?INST=Any&DEPT=CHEM%3A ++CHEMISTRY+%284%29&CRSE=101%3A+CHEM+%28597%29&SECT=Any &PID=28835&SEQ=20020723160326&CNT=50&HIST=1 Edited source coding looks like this: http://libcat.tamu.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&SL=none&CRSE=101%3A+CHEM+% 28597%29&CNT=50 Syntax: Do a course reserve search first. Then remove the following arguments: INST=any, DEPT=any, HIST=1. After that, add these new arguments: DB=local&SL=none, CRSE=course name. The string "%3A"equals colons.
Display Options
	Brief view: Building XML Web Services for the Microsoft .NET Platform Long view: Building XML Web Services for the Microsoft .NET Platform Technical view: Building XML Web Services for the Microsoft .NET Platform Syntax: Remove PID, SEQ, and HIST arguments. Add DB=local&SL=none argument. The syntax for view format setup is: v1=n; v2=n; v3=n (where v1=brief, v2=long, and v3=technical and n=a specific item number in the retrieval list).

Application Examples
Dynamic Audiovisual (AV) Search - An audiovisual service tool that can display A/V items directly from LibCat (TAMU's online catalog) based on the pre-determined canned queries and categories.


Disclaimer
	The Canned Search Generator provides an edited URL from the library catalog that can be used as a hypertext link to the results of a specific pre-determined search within the catalog. The accuracy of the search relies upon the search words and strategy as defined by the user. If you would like assistance in formulating an effective search, please contact your nearest Reference Desk. The Canned Search Generator was designed for the Library catalog at Texas A&M University, but may be useful for other libraries using Voyager.

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