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= Complete Guide To The DIALOG Information Network =
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= Written by: Brian Oblivion =
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-A production of : -=Restricted -=Data -=Transmissions :
: :
: "Truth is cheap, but information costs." :
NOTE: This file was originally to be released under RL but due to certian
circumstances both personal and external, it was never released. I
have gone through it as of late and added a few addtions here.. spelling
corrections there... and so on. This file will now be re-released under
RDT.
INTRODUCTION:
With the onslaught of On-line Databases into the public and
private sectors, I feel it is becoming increasingly important to
penetrate and maintain access to these databases. The databases
in question contain data pertaing to our personal lives and to our
enviornment. Not to mention the tetrabytes of useful information
that can be directed toward research and personal education.
Who or What is DIALOG?
The DIALOG Information Network is a service that links
various Public and Commercial databases together for convience.
In the past, when one wanted to access LEGAL RESOURCE INDEX, for
instance, one would have to dial direct. With DIALOG, Hundreds of
databases are connected via X25 networks(Tymnet, Sprintnet, Uninet,
Dialnet...) eliminating frustrating searching and outrageous long
distance telephone bills.(This is pre-ma bell breakup.)
Further within the file is a PARTIAL list of databases found
online. Some of the database are nothing more that peroidical's
and abstract sources, while others provide fulltext articles and
books. There are over 2500 periodicals, newspapers, newsletters
and newswires online in Fulltext.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Mc Graw-Hill Publications Online (File624)
- Services offer FullText of their Newsletters serving the
Worldwide AeroSpace and Defense Industry. Complete Text from 30
newsletters such as AeroSpace Daily, BYTE, Avation Week and Space
Technology, Data Communications, ENR, among others. For more info
on the database, when in DIALOG type Help News624.
PR NEWSWIRE (File613)
- PR Newswire records contain the complete text of news
releases prepared by: companies; public relations agencies; trade
associations; city, state,federal and non-US Government agencies;
and other sources covering the entire spectrum of news. The
complete text of a news release typically contains details or
background information that is not published in newspapers. More
than 8500 companies contribute news for PR Newswire. PR NEWSWIRE
is a known agent of Corporate Intelligence.
DMS/FI MARKET INTELLIGENCE REPORTS (File589)
- FullText of World AreoSpace Weekly, covers all aspects of
both civil and military aerospace activities worldwide.
- World Weapons Review, very high degree of technical detail
and perspective. As such, it has special appeal to military
professionals and users of weapons.
Note: The database treats the newsletters as seperate Binders.
For example, to access the World Weapons Review, after
connecting to the database type:
SELECT BN=WORLD WEAPONS REVIEW
or whichever newsletter you wish to search.
FINE CHEMICALS DATABASE (File360)
- The focus of this database is on sources for laboratory,
specialty, and unusual chemicals used in scientific research and
new product development. Fine chemicals are relatively pure
chemicals typically produced in small quantities. The database
will provide you with manufacturers and/or distributors.
DUN'S ELECTRONIC YELLOW PAGES (File515)
- Largest database of U.S. Businesses available on DIALOG,
providing informaion on a total of 8.5 million establishments.
Corporate Intelligence: you can quickly verigy the existence of a
business. Then you can obtain address, telephone number, employee
size, Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and other basic
information.
CURRENT CONTENTS SEARCH (File440)
- FullText articles from over 8000+ worldwide journals
dealing with Science and Technology.
BOOKS IN PRINT (File470)
- access to in-print and out-of-print books since 1979, BIP lets
you retrieve bibliographic data on virtually every book published
or distributed in the united states. Plus FullText reviews on the
book(s) you have selected. See next.
PUBLISHERS DISTRIBUTORS AND WHOLESALERS ONLINE (File450)
- PDW online will locate virtually any book, audiocassette,
software publisher, distributor or wholesaler in the U.S.
You now should have an Idea of the power and scope of the
Dialog Information Network. Please, read on.
NOTE: Most of DIALOG's Services are now available to certain Research
facilities, public and private, on CD-ROM. Check your local Public
and University libraries for this service. Of course MANY of the
more interesting databases are not available on CD-ROM and must
still be accessed through the DIALOG network.
Access to DIALOG Services
The following online services are available from DIALOG
Information Services:
DIALOG
DIALOG Business (DBC)
DIALOG Medical Connection (DMC)
DIALMAIL
KNOWLEDGE INDEX
The logon procedures for the first four are identical and use
the same service address; procedures for KNOWLEDGE INDEX differ
only in the use of the KI service address, as illustrated
throughout this file.
The most common method of access to DIALOG services uses
local phone numbers for three telecommunication networks: DIALOG's
DIALNET, BT Tymnet, TYMNET, and SprintNet. For those who live in
an area that lacks a local dialup for those three networks, you
may use the 800 link into the DIALNET for access to all DIALOG
services except KNOWLEDGE INDEX. This Access is not free, but it
may cost less than dialing long-distance to reach a network node
if you live in a region without local access. Access ia also
available through gateways from other online systems.
Access to many DIALOG services is available from countries
throughout the world and may be accessed from their own Public
Data Networks.
Dialnet 800-Number Access
The two DIALNET 800 numbers are available for connecting to Dialog
services from anywhere in the 48 contiguous states. Access
through these numbers is not free.
(800)DIALNET 300, 1200, and 2400 b. (w/MNP error
Checking)
(800)342-5638
(800)847-1620 VADIC 3400 series modems (1200 baud)
BELL 103 modems (300 baud)
BELL 212 modems (1200 baud)
Note: I have excluded all the Dialup numbers for Tymnet and
Sprintnet. If you don't know how to find those, obtain
a file on X25 nets and Im sure they will be listed some-
where in them.
DIALNET US DIALUP NUMBERS
(All DIALNET dialup numbers support 300, 1200, and 2400 baud)
ARIZONA
Pheonix....................................(602)257-8895
CALIFORNIA
Alhambra...................................(818)300-9000
Longbeach..................................(213)491-0803
Los Angeles................................(818)300-9000
Marina Del Rey.............................(213)305-9833
Newport Beach..............................(714)756-1969
Oakland....................................(415)633-7900
Palo Alto..................................(415)858-2461
Palo Alto..................................(415)858-2461
Palo Alto..................................(415)858-2575
Sacramento.................................(916)444-5030
San Diego..................................(619)297-8610
San Francisco..............................(415)957-5910
San Jose...................................(408)432-0590
COLORADO
Denver.....................................(303)860-9800
CONNECTICUT
Bloomfield/Hartford........................(203)242-5954
Stamford...................................(203)324-1201
DELAWARE
Wilmington.................................(302)652-1706
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington.................................(703)359-2500
GEORGIA
Atlanta....................................(404)455-4221
ILLINOIS
Chicago....................................(312)341-1444
INDIANA
Indianapolis...............................(317)635-7259
MARYLAND
Baltimore..................................(301)234-0940
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston.....................................(617)439-7920
Lexington..................................(617)862-6240
MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor..................................(313)973-2622
Detroit....................................(313)964-1309
MINNESOTA
Minneapolis................................(612)338-0676
MISSOURI
St. Louis..................................(314)731-0122
NEW JERSEY
Lyndhurst..................................(201)460-8868
Morristown.................................(201)292-9646
Newark.....................................(201)824-1412
Piscataway.................................(201)562-9680
Princeton..................................(609)243-9550
NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque................................(505)764-9281
NEW YORK
Albany.....................................(518)458-8710
Buffalo....................................(716)896-9440
Hempstead..................................(516)489-6868
New York City..............................(212)422-0410
Rochester..................................(716)458-7300
White Plains...............................(914)328-7810
NORTH CAROLINA
Research Triangle..........................(919)549-9290
OHIO
Cincinnati.................................(513)489-3980
Cleveland..................................(216)621-3807
Columbus...................................(614)461-8348
Dayton.....................................(513)898-8878
OREGON
Portland...................................(503)228-2771
PENNSYLVANIA
Allentown..................................(215)776-2030
Philadelphia...............................(215)923-5214
Pittsburg..................................(412)471-1421
Valley Forge/Norristown....................(215)666-1500
TEXAS
Austin.....................................(512)462-9494
Dallas.....................................(214)631-9861
Houston....................................(713)531-0505
UTAH
Salt Lake City.............................(801)532-3071
VIRGINIA
Fairfax....................................(703)359-2500
WASHINGTON
Seattle....................................(206)282-5009
WISCONSIN
Milwaukee..................................(414)796-1785
Access to Dialog Outside of the US
Foreign readers may access Dialog via the INFONET PDN.
The following numbers are for those particular users.
BELGIUM
Brussels (300).............................(02)648-0710
Brussels (1200)............................(02)640-4993
DENMARK
Copenhagen (300)...........................(01)22-10-66
Copenhagen (1200)..........................(01)22-41-22
FINLAND
Helsinki (1200)............................(90)692-6163
FRANCE
Paris (300)................................(1)43-35-23-37
Paris (1200)...............................(1)43-35-39-29
GERMANY
Frankfurt (300)............................(069)666-6881
Frankfurt (1200)...........................(069)666-1081
Logging in to DIALOG or KNOWLEDGE INDEX (KI)
After dialing the appropriate number and establishing the
connection, you must allow a 10-second delay and then enter the
letter A (or a carriage return or another terminal identifier from
the table below) before any further response will occur. Then
follow the remainder of the procedures show below.
type terminal indentifier.
a Enter 'a' or press ENTER
DIALOG Information Services' DIALNET
-2151:01-012-
Enter Service: dialog Enter DIALOG or KI;
DIALNET: call connected
DIALOG INFORMATION SERVICES
PLEASE LOGON:
?XXXXXXXX Enter User Number
ENTER PASSWORD:
?XXXXXXXX Enter Password;
NOTE: I have researched the method of user Number and Password distribution
and all User Number's and Passwords are generated by Dialog, BUT upon
recieving a password from dialog you may opt to change it. The
passwords issued from dialog are 8 digits long, consisting of random
alpha-numeric characters.
Once you are connected to your default service or file in DIALOG,
you can then BEGIN one of the other services; for example, to
access DIALMAIL, BEGIN MAIL.
DIALNET Terminal Identifiers
Speed Identifier Terminal Type Effect
=---------------------------------------------------------------=
300 bps ENTER key PC's & CRT's Same as A
E Thermmal Printers Slower
C Impact Printers Slowest
G Belt Printer Slower
1200 bps ENTER key PC's & CRT's Same as A
or G Matrix Printers Slower
2400 bps I Belt Printers Slowest
- For access in half duplex, enter a < CTRL H > after the "Enter
Service:" prompt and before entering the word "dialog" or "ki."
- Dont hit backspace if you make an error in typing "dialog" or
"ki". The result will be toggling your duplex, reason being
your backspace is usually configured to send a < CTRL H > to
delete to the left of the cursor one space.
DIALNET Messages
Message Probable Cause User Action
ERROR, RE-ENTER SERVICE Incorrect host name Check typing
ALL PORTS BUSY All DIALOG ports Try in a few min.
are temporarily in
use.
HOST DOWN DIALOG computer is Try in a few min.
not available.
HOST NOT RESPONDING DIALOG Computer Try in a few min.
difficulty
CIRCUITS BUSY DIALNET Network is Try in a few min.
temporarily busy.
DIALNET: CALL CLEARED Appears after LOGOFF
BY REQUEST to indicate connection
ENTER SERVICE: to DIALOG is broken.
DROPPED BY HOST SYSTEM Indicates a system failure
at DIALOG.
Navigating in DIALOG
To begin a search, one would enter:
BEGIN xxxx
xxxx would be the database file number. All Databases found on
DIALOG are assigned file numbers. The Searching Protocol used to
manipulate DIALOG seems at times to be a language in itself. But
it can be easily learned and mastered.
DIALOG HOMEBASE
I would advise the first timer to jump into the DIALOG
Homebase Menu, which provides information, help, file of the
month, database info and rates, the DIALINDEX, DIALOG Training,
and announcements. DIALOG also provides subscribers with special
services which include Dialouts for certain Area codes.
You can begin the DIALOG HOMBASE by typing:
BEGIN HOME
=-**************************************************************-=
DIALOG DATABASES
File Number Database
15 ABI/INFORM
180 Academic American Encyclopedia
43 ADTRACT
108 Areospace Database
10,110 AGRICOLA
9 AIM/ARM
38 America:History & Life
236 American Men & Women of Science
258,259 AP NEWS
45 APTIC
112 Aquaculture
116 Aqualine
44 Aquatic Science & Fisheries ABS
56 Art Bibliographies, Modern
192 Arthur D. Little Online
102 ASI
285 BIOBUSINESS
287,288 Biography Master Index
5, 55
255 BIOSIS Previews
175 BLS Consumer Price Index
178 BLS Employment, Hours, and Earnings
176 BLS Producer Price Index
137 Book Review Index
470 Books In Print
256 Business Software Database
308-311
320 CA Search
50 CAB Abstracts
262 Canadian Business and Current Affairs
162 Career Placement Registry/ Experienced Personnel
163 Career Placement Reg/Student
580 CENDATA
138 Chemical Exposure
19 Chemical Industry Notes
174 Chem Regulations & Guidelines
300,301 CHEMNAME, CHEMSIS
328-331 CHEMZERO
30 CHEMSEARCH
64 Chile Abuse & Neglect
410 Chronolog Newsletter-International Edition
101 Compuserve Information Service
220-222 CLAIMS Citation
124 CLAIMS Class
242 CLAIMS Compound Registry
23-25,125
223-225 CLAIMS US Patents
123 CLAIMS Reassignment & Re-examination
219 Clinical Abstracts
164 Coffeeline
194-195 Commerce Business Daily
593 Compare Products
8 Compendex
275 The Computer Database
77 Conference Papers Index
135 Congressional Record Abstracts
271 Consumer Drug Info Fulltext
171 Criminal Justice Period Index
60 CRIS/USDA
230 DATABASE OF DATABASES
516 D&B - Dun's Market Identifiers
517 D&B - Million Dollar Directory
518 D&B - International Dun's Market Identifiers
411 DIALINDEX
200 DIALOG PUBLICATIONS
100 Disclosure II
540 Disclosure Spectrun Ownership
35 Dissertation Abstracts Online
103,104 DOE Energy
575 Donnelley Demographics
229 Drug Information Fulltext
139 Economic Literature Index
165 Ei Engineering Meetings
241 Electric Power Database
511 Electronic Dictionary of Education
507 Construction Directory
501 Financial Services Directory
510 Manufactures Directory
502 Professionals Directory
504-506 Retailers Directory
508,509 Services Directory
503 Wholesalers Directory
500 Electronic Yellow Pages Index
72, 73 EMBASE (Excerpta Medica)
172,173 EMBASE
114 Encyclopedia of Associations
69 Energyline
169 Energynet
40 ENVIROLINE
68 Enviornmental Bibliography
1 eric
54 Exceptional CHild Education Resources
291 Family Resources
20 Federal Index
136 Federal Register Abstracts
265 Federal Research in Progress
196 Find/SVP Reports and studies Index
268 FINIS: Financial Industry Information Service
96 Fluidex
51 Food Science & Technology Abstracts
79 Foods Adlibra
90 Foreign Trade & Econ Abstracts
105 Foreign Traders Index
26 Foundation Directory
27 Foundation Grants Index
58 Geoarchive
89 Georef
66 GPO Monthly Catalog
166 GPO Publications Reference File
85 Grants
122 Harvard Business Review
151 Health Planning And Administration
39 Historical Abstracts
561 ICC British Company Directory
562 ICC British Financial Datasheets
189 Industry Data Sources
202 Information Science Abstracts
12, 13 INSPEC
168 Insurance Abstracts
209 International Listing Service
74 International Phramaceutical Abstracts
545 Investext
284 IRS TAXiNFO
14 ISMEC
244 LABORLAW
36 Language & Language Behavior Abstracts
426-427 LC MARC
150 Legal Resource Index
76 Life Sciences Collection
61 LISA
647 Magazine ASAP
47 Magazine Index
75 Management Contents
234 Marquis Who's Who
235 Marquis Pro-files
239 Mathfile
546 Media General Database
152-154 MEDLINE
86 Mental Health Abstracts
232 Menu The International Software Database
32 METADEX
29 Meteor/Geoastrophysical Abstracts
233 Microcomputer Index
32 MERADEX
29 Meteor/Geoastrophysical Abstracts
233 Microcomputer Index
248 The Middle East: Abstracts and Index
249 Mideast File
71 MLA Bibliography
555 Moody's Corporate Profiles
557 Moody's Corporate News-International
556 Moody's Corporate News - U.S.
78 National Foundations
111 National Newspaper News - U.S.
21 NCJRS
211 Newsearch
46 NICEM
70 NICSEM/NIMIS
118 Nonferrous Metals Abstracts
6 NTIS
218 Nursing & Allied Health
161 Occupational Safety and Health
28 Oceanic Abstracts
170 ONLINE Chronicle
215 ONTAP ABI/INFORM
205 ONTAP BIOSIS Previews
204 ONTAP CA SEARCH
250 ONTAP CAB Abstracts
231 ONTAP Chemname
208 ONTAP Compendex
290 ONTAP DIALINDEX
201 ONTAP ERIC
272 ONTAP Embase
213 ONTAP Inspec
247 ONTAP Magazine Index
254 ONTAP Medline
216 ONTAP PTS Promt
294 ONTAP Scisearch
207 ONTAP Social Scisearch
296 ONTAP Trademarkscan
280 ONTAP World Patents Index
49 PAIS International
240 Paperchem
243 PATLAW
257 P/E News
241 Peterson's College Database
42 Pharmaceutical News Index
57 Philosopher's Index
41 Pollution Abstracts
91 Population Bibliography
140 PsycALERT
11 PsycINFO
17 PTS Annual Reports Abstrats
80 PTS Defense Markets and Technology
18 PTS F&S Indexes 80-
98 PTS F&S Indexes 72-79
81, 83 PTS Forecasts
570 PTS MARS
16 PTS PROMPT
82, 84 PTS TIME SERIES
190 Religion Index
421-425 TEMARC
97 Rilm Abstracts
34, 87 SciSearch
94, 186 SciSearch
7 Social Scisearch
270 Soviet Science and Technology
37 Sociological Abstracts
62 SPIN
65 SSIE Current Research
132 Standard & Poor's News
133 Standard & Poor's Corporate Descriptions
526 Standard & Poor's Register-Biographical
527 Standard & Poor's Register-Corporate
113 Standards & Specifications
238 Telgen
119 Textile Technology Digest
535 Thomas Tegister Online
648 Trade & Industry ASAP
148 Trade & Industry Index
106,107 Trade Opportunities
226 Trademarkscan
531 Trinet Establishment Database
532 Trinet Company Database
63 TRIS
52 TSCA Initial Inventory
480 Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory
260,261 UPI NEWS
126 U.S. Exports
93 U.S. Political Science Documents
120 U.S. Public School Directory
184 Washington Post Index
117 Water Resources Abstracts
350,351 World Patents Index
67 World Textiles
185 Zoological Record
Before I continue describing the various methods of
searching, DIALOG has an online master index to the DIALOG
databases, DIALINDEX (file 411). It is a collection of the file
indexes of most DIALOG databases (menu-driven databases cannot be
searched in DIALINDEX). DIALINDEX can be used to determine the
number of relevant records for a single query in a collection of
files. The query can be a single term, a mulitple-word phrase, a
prefix-coded field, or a full logical expression of up to 240
characters. Nested terminology, proximity operators, and
truncated terms may also be used.
You can set the files you want searched by using the SET FILE
command. Like this:
BEGIN 411 (return)
SET FILE ALLNEWS (if you want the latest news on
or hack/phreak busts)
SF ALLNEWS
To scan all Subjects: SET FILES ALL
To scan specific categories:
All Science: (ALLSCIENCE)
- Agriculture & Nutrition
- Chemistry
- Computer Technology
- Energy & Environment
- Medicine & Biosciences
- Patents & Trademarks
- Science & technology
All Business: (ALLBUSINESS)
- Business Information
- Company Information
- Industry Analysis
- News
- Patents & Trademarks
All News and Current Events: (ALLNEWS)
- News
All Law & Government: (ALLLAW;ALLGOVERNMENT)
- Law & Government
- Patents & Trademarks
All Social Science & Humanities: (ALLSOCIAL;ALLHUMANITIES)
- Social Sciences & Humanities
All General Interest: (ALLGENERAL)
- Popular Information
All Reference: (ALLREFERENCE)
- Books
- Reference
All Text: (ALLTEXT)
All databases containing
complete text of:
- Journal Articles
- Encyclopedias
- Newspapers
- Newswires
All Sources: (ALLSOURCE)
- Complete Text
- Directory
- Numeric Data
All ONTAP Training Files: (ALLONTAPS)
- All ONline Training And
Practice databases
Once you have selected a database you can now SELECT the
search Keyword. You set the flag by:
SELECT term - Retrieves a set of records containing the
term.
May be used with words, prefix or suffix
codes, EXPAND, or set numbers.
When defining what you are searching for you can use Logical
operators. Such as,
OR - puts the retrieval of all search terms into one set,
eliminating duplicate records.
AND - retrieves the intersection, or overlap, of the search
terms: all terms must be in each record retrieved.
NOT - eliminates search term (or group of search terms)
following it from other search term(s).
Note: Always enter a space on either side of a logical
operator.
SELECT Examples:
SELECT (BICMOS OR CMOS) AND SRAM
or
S (BICMOS OR CMOS) AND SRAM
- this would generate something like this:
138 BICMOS <- records containing BICOMS only
1378 CMOS <- records containing CMOS only
681 SRAM <- records containing SRAM only
S1 203 (BICMOS OR CMOS) AND SRAM <- this is what you
^^ wanted.
|| Dialog names your select topic S1, S2... respectivly as
search its databases to make it easier to type. The
contents of S1 are 203 found records containing the key-
words BICMOS, CMOS, and SRAM.
Sometimes S1 is refered to as S(tep) 1
PROXIMITY OPERATORS (Select command)
(W) Requests terms be adjacent to eachother and in order
specified. -> S SOLAR(W)ENERGY
(nW) Requests terms be within (n) words of each other and in order
specified. -> S SOLAR(3W)ENERGY
(N) Requests terms be adjacent but in any order. Useful for
retrieving identical terms. -> S SOLAR(N)ENERGY
(nN) Requests terms be within (n) words of each other and in any
order. -> S SOLAR(3N)ENERGY
(F) Requests terms be in same field of same record, in any order.
-> S SOLAR(F)ENERGY
(L) Requests terms be in same descriptor unit as defined by
database. -> S SOLAR(L)ENERGY
(S) Requests terms be in same Subfield unit as defined by
database. -> S SOLAR(S)ENERGY
(C) Equivalent to logic operator AND.
-> S SOLAR(C)ENERGY
PRIORITY OF EXECUTION
Proximity operator, NOT, AND, OR
Use parentheses to specify different order of execution, e.g.
SELECT (SOLAR OR SUN) AND (ENERGY OR HEAT). Terms within
parentheses are executed first.
STOP WORDS (predifined)
The following words may not be SELECTed as individual terms. The
computer will retrieve a set with zero results. They may only be
replaced with proximity operators, e.g. S GONE(2W)WIND
AN FOR THE
AND FROM TO
BY OF WITH
RESERVED WORDS AND SYMBOLS
The following words and symbols must be enclosed in quotation
marks whenever they are SELECTed as or within search terms, e.g.,
SELECT "OR"(W)GATE?
AND =
FROM *
NOT +
OR :
STEPS /
TRUNCATION
OPEN: any number of characters following stem.
SS EMPLOY?
RESTRICTED: only one additional character following stem.
SS HORSE? ?
RESTRICTED: maximum number of additional characters equal to
number of question marks entered. SS UNIVERS??
INTERNAL: allows character replaced by question mark to vary. One
character per question mark. SS WOM?N
BASIC INDEX FIELD SPECIFCATION (SUFFIX CODES)
Suffix codes are used to restrict retrieval to specified Basic
Index fields of a record. Specific fields and codes vary
according to the database.
Abstract /AB
Descriptor /DE
Full Descriptor(single word) /DF
Identifier /ID
Full Identifier(single word) /IF
Title /TI
Note /NT
Section Heading /SH
Examples:
SELECT BUDGET?/TI
SELECT POP(W)TOP(W)CAN?/TI,AB
SELECT (DOLPHIN? OR PORPOISE?)/DE/ID
ADDITIONAL INDEXES (PREFIX CODES)
Prefix codes are used to search Additional Indexes. Specific
fields and codes vary according to the database.
Author AU=
Company Name CO=
Corporate Source CS=
Document Type DT=
Journal Name JN=
Language LA=
Publication Year PY=
Update UD=
Examples:
SELECT AU=JOHNSON, ROBERT?
SELECT LA=GERMAN
SELECT CS=(MILAN(F)ITALY)
RANGE SEARCHING
A colon is used to indicate a range of sequential entries to be
retrieved in a logical OR relationship.
Examples:
SELECT CC=64072:64078
SELECT ZP=662521:62526
LIMIT QUALIFIERS
Limit qualifiers are used in SELECT statements to limit search
terms or sets to given criteria. Specific qualifiers vary
according to database.
English language documents /ENG
Major dexcriptor /MAJ
Patents /PAT
Human subject /HUM
Accession number range /nnnnnn-nnnnnn
Examples:
SELECT TRANSISTORS/ENG,PAT
SELECT S2/MAJ
SELECT (STRESS OR TENSION)/234567-999999
Well thats it for basic searching. Now, how to view the
record you have selected.
VIEWING SEARCH RESULTS
COMMAND SUMMARY
TYPE Provides continious online display of results.
T Specify set/format/range of items. If Item range is
specified, use T to view next record.
May also be used with specific accession number.
Examples: T 12/3/1-22 <- set/format/range
T 8/7 <- set/format
T 6 <- view next.(6 in this case)
T 438721 <- view record 438721
DISPLAY Provides display of results one screen at a time. Use
D PAGE for subsequent screens.
Specify set/format/range of items. If range not
specified, use D to view next record. May also be used
with specific accession number.
Examples: D 11/6/1-44 <- set/format/range
D 9/5 <- set/format
D 7 <- view next.(7 in this case)
D 637372/7 <- view record 637372/format 7
PRINT Requests that results be printed offline and mailed.
Specify set/format/range of items. If item range not
specified upt to 50 records will be printed. Use PR to
print another 50.
Examples: PR 9/5/1-44 <- print set/format/range
PR 6/7 <- print set/format (all)
PR 14 <- print 14 only
PR 734443/5 <- print 734443 format 5 only.
PRINT TITLE xxx To specify a title(xxx) to appear on PRINTs.
Title may contain up to 70 characters. No
semicolon may be used. Must be entered in
database before any other PRINT command is used.
Cancelled by next BEGIN.
Examples: PR TITLE GLOBULIN
PR TITLE QUETZAL
REPORT Extracts data from specified fields and produces
tabular format for online output only. Specify
set/range of items/fields. May be used with SORTED
set to specify order of entries in table.
Application is database-specific.
TYPICAL FORMATS IN BIBLIOGRAPHIC FILES:
Format Number Description
1 DIALOG Accession Number
2 Full Record except abstract
3 Bibliographic citation
5 Full Record
6 Title
7 Bibliographic citation and abstract
8 Title and Indexing
See database bluesheet for specific format descriptions(file 415)
OTHER OUTPUT-RELATED COMMANDS:
PRINT CANCLEL Used alone, cancels preceding PRINT command.
PR CANCEL Specify PRINT Transaction Number to cancel
PRINT- any PRINT request entered in past two hours,
PR- e.g. PRINT- P143
PRINT QUERY To view log of PRINT commands and
PR QUERY cancellations. Add DETAIL to see date, time
and costs.
PRINT QUERY ACTIVE To view log of PRINT commands that may still
PR QUERY ACTIVE be cancelled. Add DETAIL to see date, time,
file and costs.
SORT Sorts set of records online according to
parameters indicated. Varies per database.
Specify set number/range/field,sequence, eg.
SORT 4/1-55/AU,TI Sequence assumed ascending
if not specified; use D to specify descending
order.
SORT parameters may be added to end of PRINT
command for offline sorting, e.g., PRINT
9/5/ALL/SD,D
SET SCREEN nn nn Sets size of screen for video display.
SET H nn H (horizontal) given first in combined command.
SET V nn V Default is 75 characters H, 40 lines V
LOGOFF Disconnects user from DIALOG system.
LOGOFF HOLD Disconnects user from DIALOG system, holds
work for 10 minutes allowing RECONNECT.
OTHER COMMANDS:
DISPLAY SETS Lists all sets formed since last BEGIN command.
DS May specify range of sets, e.g. DS 10-22
EXPLAIN Requests help messages for commands and file
features. Enter ?EXPLAIN to see complete list.
KEEP Places records indicated in spcecial set 0.
K Specify set number/records, or accession
number. Cancelled by a BEGIN command.
Also used in DIALORDER
LIMITALL Limits all subsequent sets to criteria
specified. Varies per database.
LIMITALL/ALL Cancels previous LIMITALL command.
?LIMIT n Requests list of limit qualifiers for database
n.
SEARCH*SAVE
SAVE Stores strategy permanently until deleted.
Serial number begins with S.
SAVE TEMP Stores strategy for seven days; automatically
deleted. Serial number begins with T.
SAVE SDI Stores strategy and PRINT command(s) until
deleted. PRINT command required. Automatic-
ally executes strategy against each new update
to database in which entered. Serial number
begins with D.
MAPxx Creates a Search*Save of data extracted for
MAPxx TEMP field xx of records already retrieved.
MAPxx STEPS If STEPS is used, data is formatted into
separate search statements in Search*Save.
REVIEWING SEARCH*SAVES
RECALL nnnnn Recalls Search*Save nnnnn, dispalying all set-
producing commands and comment lines, without
executing the search.
RECALL SAVE Displays serial numbers of all permanent
SAVEs, date entered, and number of lines.
RECALL TEMP Displays serial numbers of all temporary
SAVEs, date entered, and number of lines.
RECALL SDI Displays serial numbers of all SDIs, dates
entered, databases in which stored, and
number of lines.
EXECUTING SEARCH*SAVES
EXECUTE nnnnn Executes entire strategy. Only last line is
EX nnnnn assigned a set number.
EXECUTE STEPS nnnnn Executes entire strategy. Assigns set number
EXS nnnnn to each search element. Preferred form.
EXECUTE nnnnn/x-y Executes strategy nnnnn form command line x to
command line y only. STEPS may also be used:
EXS nnnnn/x-y
EXECUTE nnnnn/USER a
Executes strategy nnnnn originally entered by
user a (a=user number).
STEPS may also be used: EXS nnnnn/USER a
EXECUTE nnnnn/x-y/USER a
Executes strategy nnnnn from command line x to
command line y, originally entered by user a.
STEPS may also be used: EXS nnnnn/x-y/USER a
DELETING SEARCH*SAVES
RELEASE nnnnn Deletes search nnnnn from system.
OTHER SEARCH*SAVE OPTIONS
NAMING: A three- to five-alphanumerical name may be specified following
the SAVE, SAVE TEMP, and SAVE SDI commands.
Example: SAVE TEMP SOLAR
COMMENTS: An informative comment may be stored in a SEARCH*SAVE by
entering an asterisk in place of a command, followed by
up to 240 characters of 'comment'. The line will be
saved with any SEARCH*SAVE command, and will display in
RECALL of the search.
Example: * Search for R.J.Flappjack
ONLINE TEXT EDITOR
Any Search*Save, with the exception of an SDI, may be edited from
within any database. An SDI must be edited within the database in
which the SDI is to be stored.
EDIT To enter Editor and creat new text.
EDIT xxxxx Pulls Search*Save xxxxx into Editor for editing.
LIST Displays text to be edited.
L OPTIONS:
LIST LIST 30-110
LIST ALL LIST 10,50,80
LIST /data/ Locates all lines containing data.
INSERT Adds onto end of text.
INSERT nn Inserts line nn into text.
I To return to EDIT from INSERT, enter a period on a
I nn blank line.
DELETE To delete line(s) of text.
D OPTIONS:
DELETE 10-50
DELETE 10,30-50
DELETE ALL
CHANGE To change text within a line.
C Changes only first occurrence of old text in any
given line.
OPTIONS:
CHANGE 60/old/new (where 60 is line number)
CHANGE 60/old// (deletes old)
C 60//new (inserts new at beginning of line)
C 80.old.new (when text contains slash)
C /old/new (new replaces old on all lines)
C 20,40/old/new (nonsequential lines)
C 30-50/old/new (range of lines)
COPY Duplicates line# TO line#
CO OPTIONS:
COPY 100 to 255
COPY 100-150 TO 255
COPY 100,130 TO 255
MOVE Move line# TO line#
M Options same as COPY.
QUERY Produces message giving name of file, number of
Q lines, last line number.
RENUM Renumbers lines by tens unless otherwise specified.
R OPTIONS:
RENUM n (Renumbers by increments of n)
QUIT Used to leave editor ignoring session.
SAVE Used to create Search*Save strategy from edited file.
SAVE TEMP An SDI must include a PRINT command.
SAVE SDI
Enjoy the DIALOG Information Network. I found it most
interesting. This service is a MUST if in college or if you just
love to learn as much as time permits. It is a proven research tool
used by R&D and University Facilities around the World. As well
as a refined Corporate Intelligence Information gathering tool.
Kept hidden from the general public by sheer expense and 'psudo-
complexity'. Enjoy.
"Truth is cheap. But Information costs."
Brian Oblivion
Origination: Black Crawling Systems @ V0iD Information Archives
(617) oOo - oOOo
For more information on RDT and Black Crawling Systems @ V0iD
send Email to: [email protected]