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Visual Net for Libraries Enables Library Users to Search, Organize and View Information through Visual Mapping Techniques
Vancouver, BC - May 8, 2001 -- Antarctica Systems Inc., the leading developer of visual mapping technology, today announced the launch of its Visual Net for Libraries (VNL) product. Visual Net for Libraries combines a superior navigation system with information-rich visuals to create large-scale data maps. As libraries face the challenge of making ever-increasing amounts of information easily available to their users, Antarctica is transforming the way people conduct research. For the first time, students, librarians and research professionals have an intuitive, efficient, graphical research tool to search, organize and view very large amounts of data in multiple databases and media formats.
"The sheer volume of information from the Internet and hundreds of databases is pushing library research tools beyond what they were designed to accomplish - plain text on a screen or card catalogs both have significant limitations," said Mickey Friedman, Vice President of Marketing for Antarctica. "VNL uses cartographic mapping techniques to take users to the next level of effectiveness and ease in organizing and searching for information."
Using a library's existing Web-enabled PC, researchers can enter their topics into VNL and access library holdings organized in "neighborhoods" of information with graphical metaphors used to convey relevant search criteria. By clicking on any of the graphically represented categories, users can quickly access information about specific titles. Maps containing relevant resources can be "landmarked" so researchers can easily return to them.
Visual Net for Libraries Features
VNL's capabilities result in less time explaining library tools and make searching more fun and efficient, especially for students new to research.
- All collections, databases and formats-OPAC, periodicals, audio, video and special collections -are searchable from one map.
- Physically separated libraries can be combined in one database that is defined geographically, or the location within a floor plan.
- All maps and visual icons are customizable, with graphic shapes, sizes and colors set according to each facility's parameters to describe data such as name, author, how often a book is checked out, holding format, physical location and availability.
- VNL scales to handle huge volumes of holdings and categories, can be easily updated to reflect changes in library resources or usage and can manage restricted access to specific areas of the map.
- VNL is fully internationalized for multilingual facilities.
Practical Details
Visual Net for Libraries is available immediately and is based on Antarctica's visual mapping platform. Pricing varies upon application.
About Antarctica Systems Inc.
With offices in Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington, Antarctica is a pioneer developer of visual mapping technology. Antarctica delivers its services to individuals and organizations through Visual Net, server-side software that can be easily customized and adapted to new application areas such as corporate enterprise, eCommerce, trade associations, and other vertical markets, and through its public web site, www.map.net. Antarctica was founded in 1999 by XML co-creator Tim Bray. Privately held, Antarctica's funding partners include Royal Bank Ventures Inc., the Working Opportunity Fund, itemus inc., and Primaxis Technology Ventures Inc. For additional information, please visit www.antarctica.net or call 866-NET-MAPS.
Antarctica, Map.net and Visual Net are trademarks or registered trademarks of Antarctica Systems Inc. in Canada and foreign countries. All other referenced trademarks belong to their respective owners.
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