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Making direct web links to Barton records

For web page authors who wish to link directly to a Barton record without logging in and searching Web Barton.

What you need:

A unique identifier for the title you want, such as

  • the ISBN
  • the system number, and the 3 letter index code that will allow you to search for it.

What you get:

  • A current display of the current Barton record.

As with a live Barton session, your display will depend on how many records are retrieved. One record will result in a full display, more will produce a brief results list.

And - new with no-frames - you can now also go into a browse list of headings, as well as keyword search results.

How to use it:

Examples of URLs you can build:

Each URL is made up of:

  • the name of our web Barton server with the pointer to the no-frames version: http://library.mit.edu/F/
  • followed by a question mark: ?, which just says there are some program parameters coming next
  • next comes the searching method you want to use - e.g.
    - func=find-b     for a keyword or direct hit search or
    - func=scan for a browse search.
  • followed, if appropriate, by search program parameters - e.g. &find_code=022&request=1069-4730

    These parameters are the part you tailor to your searching needs.

    Start with one of 2 pairs of labels find_code or scan_code along with request or scan_start.
    Both parameters are required; the program has to know where and what you want to search for.

    • each label is followed by the equal sign: =, just a separator for labels and values
    • and then a value: 10293506
    • label/value pairs are separated by the ampersand: &

The value for find_code or scan_code must be one of the defined 3 letter index codes.

The value for request or scan_start is whatever you want to search for. Note that if you need to use any special characters or spaces, they need to be specially coded for the program to read them. You probably know you can't have spaces in a URL. Use %20f instead. For other characters, it may be easiest to just do your search in Barton, then look at the URL from your results page.

There are various other parameters you could use. Another one of possible interest is local_base, whose value must be one of the defined "logical bases". This sets some pre-defined pre-limits on your search E.g. local_base=CONFRN2 limits your search to conferences.

If you have any problems, try doing the same search in Barton, and then copy and paste the URL from your results. Strip out the session ID that comes just before the ?, and that's probably all you need.

Please send comments to webopac-feedback@mit.edu if you have any problems with the display or suggestions where it can use improvement.

If you have suggested improvements to this instructions page, contact Christine orbitee@mit.edu

 

Page last modified by mlcar April 29, 2004