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Introduction to WebZ
Contents
What is WebZ?
What Libraries Can Do with WebZ
What WebZ Does
Working with WebZ
What is WebZ?
The Open SiteSearch WebZ software (or WebZ) is the component of the Open SiteSearch Suite that integrates and controls access to local and remote Z39.50 databases via the World Wide Web. Used around the world by libraries, groups of libraries, and commercial services, WebZ provides a gateway from the World Wide Web to diverse library resources through a common user interface. When used with other Open SiteSearch components (such as Database Builder), WebZ can also offer access to locally developed resources.
What Libraries Can Do with WebZ
WebZ helps libraries:
- Provide a single point of access to Z39.50 accessible resources, including library catalogs, unique local databases, and remote database services.
- Save user time by bringing resources together in a common user interface, eliminating the need to learn multiple interfaces and search commands.
- Create a customized interface that meets the different needs of a wide range of users.
- Provide convenient access from the Web browser when and where the user needs it.
- Present users with appropriate resources to meet their needs by offering different levels of access depending on the users' authentication.
- Integrate resources in a complex, distributed computing environment, building on current hardware and resource investments.
- Provide direct access to the resources users need through links to local holdings, standards-based Interlibrary Loan requests, document delivery requests, and full-text online display.
What WebZ Does
The WebZ software provides a complete tool set, written in the Java programming language, for creating a customized interface to all of your library resources. The following table describes the toolkit functionality that WebZ provides.
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Functionality
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Description
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Web Gateway
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Open SiteSearch WebZ software is an enhanced Web-to-Z39.50 gateway that provides a Web interface to library resources. WebZ act as an extension to standard HTTP servers. When a user connects to WebZ using a web browser, an indicator in the URL prompts the HTTP server to pass the user's commands to the WebZ system. WebZ translates the HTTP message received from the WebZ interface into the Z39.50 protocol.
When connecting to WebZ, each user is assigned a session ID for the duration of the search session, which allows WebZ to track the state of the user session and provide features such as context-sensitive help and search history.
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Z39.50 Client
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WebZ provides Z39.50 client search and retrieval functionality with Z39.50 servers. WebZ manages connections to both local and remote Z39.50 servers. WebZ is fully compliant with the ANSI/NISO Z39.50 - 1992 protocol and employs features from the Z39.50 - 1995 protocol. Because WebZ is based on the Z39.50 standard, WebZ is interoperable with Z39.50 Version 2 and 3 servers from many vendors. The WebZ software includes configuration files for the local system and service providers' Z39.50 servers for which OCLC has completed interoperability testing.
WebZ also allows libraries to make non-Z39.50 resources accessible through the same interface used to search Z39.50 resources. WebZ can translate Z39.50 requests into the native query language of resources that have a published API (Applications Programming Interface). This translation requires a specialized Java class written to conform with the WebZ Java interface class included with the software. In effect, WebZ extends the Z39.50 protocol to resources that were previously inaccessible, making more resources available through the Z39.50 protocol.
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Z39.50 Server
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WebZ's unique
architecture also allows you to accommodate access by other Z39.50
clients. This means that you can provide Z39.50 access to the resources
you build locally using Database
Builder, as well as non-Z39.50 resources. WebZ includes Java
classes for OCLC's Newton search engine that allow searching of
databases in Database Builder. This functionality allows your library
to share your resources with libraries that have Z39.50 clients
other than WebZ.
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Interface Toolkit
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The WebZ software allows libraries to build a robust, Web-accessible interface that meets the differing needs of library patrons. The WebZ interface is entirely HTML-based. For increased performance and web browser compatibility, the interface does not use Java applets and requires no additional client software (i.e., plugins or special extensions).
WebZ includes a starter interface, called the Out-of-the-Box Interface (OBI), to use as a template for creating your own interface.
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Access Control
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WebZ provides flexible control over access to resources, allowing you to adhere to license and copyright agreements. With WebZ, you may present interfaces that have been customized for your users, based on their authorization. The WebZ access server provides the ability to control access to resources based on IP address or users authorization/password.
WebZ includes a Mini-SQL database and server and a supporting JDBC driver for controlling user access to WebZ. WebZ can also be customized to use other relational database managment software. Use of an RDBMS with the Access Control component requires a JDBC driver.
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See Also
WebZ System Administration
WebZ System Information
Working with WebZ
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