Blacksburg, VA - VTLS Inc. is proud to introduce the Chameleon iPortal, an aggregate Web service for libraries that casts a wide net for capturing information via multiple Internet channels and search engines. Although its flexibility makes it appealing to all types of users (hence the name “Chameleon”), Chameleon iPortal caters to those who want immediate access to a broad range of online resources associated with a defined subject area or the area of their particular interest.
“Libraries need to be able to mirror or compete with other Web services such as Yahoo!, Netscape.com and MSN.com,” says Dr. Vinod Chachra, President of VTLS Inc. “Consequently, ILS vendors need to embrace and build on the developing technologies and resources made available on the Web. It is time for ILS vendors to re-think the traditional Gateway and provide the flexibility and tools libraries need to take advantage of these new Web resources.”
The Chameleon iPortal represents an extension of the features of Virtua ILS - Integrated Library Systems Chameleon Gateway. With the Chameleon Gateway, the library's catalog may be viewed through the patron's preferred interface or “skin,” whether it is one designed for advanced users, for children or for another specific patron group. The Chameleon Gateway's “skin” technology allows VTLS Inc. to deliver “just for you” software; libraries can design multiple interfaces and the patrons may choose which interface to use.
In addition to the features of the Chameleon Gateway, the Chameleon iPortal will provide “drop-in/pull-out” (DIPO) components that will allow for the following items:
- Easy access to subscription or external databases
- Broadcast searching across multiple Z39.50 databases
- Simple-to-construct "canned" searches into a library's collection
- Access to external search engines and other portals that offer links to subject-based collections of interest to the patron
- Easily configurable, multi-subject-based interfaces
- A library calendar of events
- Extended, multimedia services with links to material such as book covers, tables of contents, and book reviews
- Integrated message boards, forums, and chat rooms
- Ability to embrace new "open" technologies such as the Open Archives Initiative (OAI)
The Chameleon iPortal differs from the Chameleon Gateway in that it provides enhanced methods of searching, including thesaurus searches, selective dissemination of information (SDI) and extended bibliographic services (XBS), for pin-pointing specific bibliographic records within a catalog. Further, with the Chameleon iPortal, a user may select a research topic, such as “exercise,” and then be presented with a myriad of “smart” links to other resources such as Books in Print, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and search engines such as Google. For example, by clicking the link to Books in Print, you will be presented with the results of a search of all Books in Print on the topic of “exercise.”
Current customers using the Chameleon Gateway may migrate to the Chameleon iPortal simply by asking for an upgrade from the VTLS Inc. staff.