群馬大学附属図書館におけるLAN接続CD-ROM検索システム (LASSIE) の開発

A local area network (LAN) was constructed at the Showa Campus of Gunma University where the School of Medicine, University Hospital, Institute of Endocrinology, and College of Medical Technology are located. A CD-ROM server (CD-server, Meridian Data, Inc., Scotts Vally, CA, USA) was connected to the network with a Sony Quarter L as a network file server for multi-users on campus. As the majority of users had NEC personal computers, the software for the operation of the CD-server was developed to work with NEC as well as IBM equipment. After coordination of the software for the CD-server, SilverPlatter CD-ROM, and netware server in cooperation with MARUZEN, USACO Corp., and TOYOCOM, we finally succeeded in developing a system which we termed LASSIE (LAN-Associated Service System for Informational Exploration). This system, which can include NEC personal computers, is the first trial in the world, and is to be expanded to cover 3 campuses of the University, and also to cover more data-bases within a year. Trials to simplify the software, procedure, and equipment, and how funding was procured are also described.