The Western Library Network (WLN) has tested Faxon's serials control MicroLinx system in its member libraries. After testing and evaluation by staff members, WLN pronounced the MicroLinx system both easy to learn and efficient, thus apparently meeting the criteria that the network had established for serials checkin systems. Access is via the WLN-PC, a modified IBM-PC, which has a special keyboard and which supports 640 KB memory expansion and either 10 or 20 MB disk drives. The micro can act both as a bibliographic terminal accessing the WIN network and as a standalone microcomputer for a number of library activities. Two member libraries already have begun MicroLinx check-in installation. During testing it was determined that WLN's MARC serials records can be downloaded automatically into MicroLinx files using Faxon's MicroLinx Bibliographic Interface software.
In a related development, Faxon and WIN have tested dial-up access (using a WLN-PC) to Faxon's DataLinx data base. Plans for future development include testing the capability of transmitting DataLinx information to Microtinx files on a WLN-PC.
[Contact: Bruce Zeigman, Western Library Network, Washington State Library, Mail Stop AJ-11, Olympia, WA 98504; (206) 459- 6538.]
