Scarabin Blog

To: Michele Cardall
From: Jason Scarabin
Date: February 28, 1995
Subject: Lan-Silver Platter Class

I attended the Lan-Silver Platter class. It was given by Diana Butler on Monday, February 27 at 4 p.m. It took place in HBLL 2445.
Diana took us through the Lan-Silver Platter databases. She explained how the system worked which is quite simple. She understood that most were already familiar with the system. She taught us about “truncation” which is a term I didn’t know before the class. It helps you to cover many different related subjects by placing an asterisk behind the so-called “root word.”
Strengths:
*a quick and easy way to find information on any topic and it’s related topics.
*more variety as far as databases.
Weaknesses:
*there should be a block/semester one credit course offered for this.
*if class has to be taught, it should be more organized and entertaining/fun!

To: Michele Cardall
From: Jason Scarabin
Date: February 16, 1995
Subject: Library Mini-Class
Re: Report

I attended the Library Mini-Class for Communication’s majors. It was given by Russ Clement on Wednesday, February 8 at 4 p.m. It took place in HBLL 2445.
Russ talked about Gateway, etc. for about 20 minutes and excused us. He seemed to realize that most of the people in the class were already familiar with the system. He did take us through a little tour in Gateway. We looked up a few different topics such as children, television and violence.
Strengths:
*very helpful to someone who has never used the computers in the library.
*assists students in digging for research.

Weaknesses:
*shouldn’t be required for people who already know how to use the system.
*if class has to be taught, it should be more organized and entertaining/fun!