BigBlueButton is an open source web conferencing system built on over fourteen open source components to create an integrated solution that runs on Mac, Unix, and PC computers.
marketed by Ameritech Library Services, a subsidiary of the Ameritech
Corporation, one of the world's largest communication companies
new system Horizon was built on the Marquis, Dynix library system, and is being
developed by Ameritech Library Service in collaboration with the University of
Chicago and Indiana University. It was first introduced in the USA in 1991
Horizon is a fully integrated client/server library management system,
providing a graphical user interface for the library, and offering the
functionality and standards required for an open system, including Web access,
Z39.50 standard for information exchange, the TCP/IP communication standard,
UNIX and Windows NT for portability. Horizon uses the SQL database management
system, available from Sybase or Microsoft.
the main hardware is a SUN computer Sparc Server 1000 with a UNIX Solaris 2.5
operating system
the centre of any library system is the cataloguing module.
Cataloguing and Authority Control contain the bibliographic database used by all
Horizon modules
project will contain four stages of activity. Three of them include:
the preparation of standardised cataloguing rules and their implementation
working out subject classification
exchange of records among different systems
preparation of legal and financial responsibilities
collecting money for buying software and technical equipment etc. (we have
already received $705,000 from the Mellon Foundation)
implementation of system
testing of the National Catalogue module
schedule preparation for creation of databases
users' training
Generally speaking, the main points of plan in Nicholas Copernicus University
Library have been successfully realised. The progress is visible. Since
September 1998 new modules have been implemented and tested. In the opinion of
our users they work quite well. Of course, problems arise from time to time, and
sometimes they are quite troublesome, but they are solved on a daily basis.