PubMed has some unique search capabilities not found in other systems at present. For example, it includes the capability of accessing and linking to DNA/Protein sequences and 3D structures, beneficial to molecular biologists; and it includes a PreMedline file that contains very current articles not yet indexed for Medline.

A special feature, Clinical Queries, is designed to help clinicians filtering searches and limiting retrievals to a specific aspect of clinical studies. Currently, four study categories – Therapy, Diagnosis, Etiology, and Prognosis – are provided. Another useful feature, Citation Matcher, is a fill-in-the-blank form to provide end users a quick and easy way to verify incomplete citations.

Displaying results are clear and easy to understand. At top of screen a user's exact location is displayed, for example, Citations 1-20 displayed (out of 112 found), Page 1 of 6. At bottom of screen more instructions on where to go, for example, This is page 1 of 6, Go to page 2 (with a pull-down box listing choices from page 1 through page 6). The retrieved results are consecutively numbered and users know where they are, even when jumping from page to page for marking/de-marking records. A marking record box appears next to an author's name for each record. Users can mark records as they browse; select to save records in text file or html file; and format records for exporting to a file manager (e.g., Reference Manager).

NLM intends to replace MEDLARS's online system for expert searchers with PubMed. Many expert online searchers are working hard to help NLM improve PubMed's search interface, and making suggestions to add many desired features. The new PubMed version 2.0 will soon be implemented. At that time users will see a more powerful search system.

From years of experience in searching LUIS, we understand that WebLuis is a potentially powerful system. There are many hidden features waiting to be uncovered. The FCLA staff is working hard to upgrade the system and providing excellent supports in all areas to concerned parties. The recommendations from SUS WebLUIS Task Force members are being implemented continuously by FCLA staff. The cooperative efforts among FCLA, WebLUIS Task Force and LUIS users have been the united, powerful force moving to improve WebLUIS system daily. At present the most welcome features not available in PubMed are 1. Holding information of ten state universities, 2.The availability of borrowing online from participating Florida institutions, even from your own library, 3. The ability to Review Search and rerun it across many other databases, 4. The desirable E-Mail functionality and 5.The availability of Command Search as a choice allowing avid LUIS users continue to function well in WebLuis. The obvious advantages of searching many databases using one search interface are saving users' learning time and reducing users' stressful searching experience.

In conclusion, I think it is important to serve diversified groups of users who have different information needs and searching skills, with choices of different search systems. I recommend making both, WebLuis and PubMed, available to our users.

PubMed URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/
WebLUIS URL: http://webluis.fcla.edu/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/fclwlv3/wlv3/CM02/DGgen/DBwebluis/P1home

Anagnostelis, B & Cooke, A, Evaluation criteria for different versions of the same database - a comparison of Medline services available via the World Wide Web.
URL: http://omni.ac.uk/

Detmer, WM, Medline on the Web: Ten Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Web Based Service.
URL: http://www.med.virginia.edu/~wmd4n/medline.html

Pi-Yung (Peggy) Hsu, Health Science Center Library, University of Florida, February 9, 1998