Sample Searches

Computer Database Sample Searches

Computer Database provides access to current, well-read and influential periodicals on the computer, telecommunications and electronics industries.

Search 1:

A person using Computer Database wanted to formulate a search strategy to retrieve full-text articles from 2004 journal issues of PC World about Windows XP.

Solution:

1. Entered Computer Database and went to the "Advanced search page" page.
2. Clicked on the "Browse" button and selected "PC World", then returned to the "Advanced search page".
3. Selected "Key Word (ke)" from the drop down next to the first entry box, then entered "Windows XP".
4. Checked the box "to articles with text", then in "by date" clicked on the "after" radio button and selected 2003.
5. Four full-text articles matching the requested criteria were retrieved.

Search 2:

A customer using Computer Database wanted to look at a list of articles published from 2003 to the present about various aspects of employees working from home remotely.

Solution:

1. Opened Computer Database and went to the "Subject guide" page to find out if "telecommuting" was a preferred term. It was listed as such.
2. Returned to the "Subject guide" page and entered "telecommuting" in the entry box.
3. Limited to articles with text occurring "after" 2002.
4. Clicked on the "Search" button and also the "View" button, retrieving more than 50 full-text articles on telecommuting (or working remotely from home).

Search 3:

A graphic artist using Computer Database wanted to find any recent articles on the new version of Paint Shop Pro (version 8).

Solution:

1. Opened Computer Database and went to the "Advanced search" page.
2. Selected "Key Word (ke)" and entered "Paint Shop Pro 8" in the first entry box.
3. Selected "Key Word (ke)" and entered "(product evaluation) or (software review)" in the second entry box.
4. Checked the "to articles with text" box.
5. clicked the "Search" button and retrieved three articles on version 8 of Paint Shop Pro.

Search 4:

A Computer Database user wanted to find full-text review articles published from 2003 to the present about the new version of Adobe Acrobat (version 6) to help him decide if he should upgrade from his current version to the new one.

Solution:

1. Opened Computer Database and went to the "Advanced search" page.
2. Selected "Subject (su)" and entered "software" in the first entry box.
3. Selected "Key Word (ke)" and entered "Adobe Acrobat" in the second entry box.
4. Selected "Key Word (ke)" and entered "review*" in the third entry box.
5. Checked the "to articles with text" box and limited date to "after" 2002.
6. Clicked on the "Search" button and retrieved four review articles for Adobe Acrobat 6.

Search 5:

A researcher using Computer Database wanted to retrieve full-text articles on RFID chips and their proposed usage.

Solution:

1. Opened Computer Database and went to the "Subject guide search" page.
2. Entered "RFID" in the entry box and checked the "to articles with text" box.
3. Clicked on the "Search" button.
4. For the "Rfid" entry it said "See Radio Frequency Identification (Rfid)".
5. Under the "Radio Frequency Identification (Rfid)" entry, next to the "View" button, more than 240 articles were retrieved.
6. Clicked on the "Narrow" (by subdivision) button, then clicked on the "usage" button, retrieving more than 140 articles that fulfilled the researcher's request.