Date of Award

Summer 8-1997

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Computer Science

Committee Director

Kurt maly

Committee Director

Stewart N. T. Shen

Committee Member

Mohammad Zubair

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.C65 N46

Abstract

Our objective was to study the feasibility of extending the Dienst protocol to enable a multi-discipline, multi-format digital library. We implemented two new technologies: cluster functionality and publishing buckets. We have designed a possible implementation of clusters and buckets, and have prototyped some aspects of the resultant digital library.

Currently, digital libraries are segregated by the disciplines they serve ( computer science, aeronautics, etc.), and by the format of their holdings (reports, software, datasets, etc.). NCSTRL+ is a multi-discipline, multi-format digital library (DL) prototype created to explore the feasibility of the design and implementation issues involved with created a unified, canonical scientific and technical information (STI) DL. NCSTRL+ is based on the Networked Computer Science Technical Report Library (NCSTRL), a World Wide Web (WWW) accessible DL that provides access to over 80 university departments and laboratories.

We have extended the Dienst protocol (version 4.1.8), the protocol underlying NCSTRL, to provide the ability to cluster independent collections into a logically centralized DL based upon subject category classification, type of organization, and genre of material. The concept of buckets provides a mechanism for publishing and managing logically linked entities with multiple data formats. NCSTRL+ contains some of tl holdings of NCSTRL and the NASA Technical Report Server (NTRS). The prototype demonstrates the feasibility of publishing into a multi-cluster DL, searching across clusters, and storing and presenting buckets of information. The clusters provide multi-discipline access, and the buckets allow for the storage and retrieval of new information formats, increasing the availability of all forms of STI. We found that the overhead for these additional capabilities is minimal to both the author and the user when compared to the equivalent process within NCSTRL. We cover the current modifications to Dienst, discuss the proposed modifications to Dienst that we are coordinating with the NCSTRL Working Group, discuss the proposed tools to facilitate the construction and use of buckets, and discuss additional capabilities for which clusters and buckets provide the foundation.

Rights

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DOI

10.25777/6np7-0004

ORCID

0000-0003-3749-8116

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