EBSCOhost Enhancements and Upgrades Announced

1. New Features Option

EBSCO recently introduced an innovative way for users to learn about new EBSCOhost features, right on the EBSCOhost interface.  End users can now independently learn about (and often even try!) new features as they are introduced, from within their EBSCOhost research sessions.

Here's how it works:

• A New Features page has been added to the EBSCOhost interface, accessible via a New Features link in the upper right corner of the screen.
• The New Features page includes a "What's New" section, where new features that are available for sampling during the current session are listed with a Try it! Checkbox.
• Library administrators have complete control over whether or not the New Features page is displayed in EBSCOhost, as well as which Try it! features are defaulted to ON at the profile level.
• Features still under development are listed in a new Coming Soon box on the right side of the New Features page, with brief descriptions included. As these features become available, they will be moved to the "What's New" list, described above.

2. Citation Formats:

Based on valuable customer feedback, EBSCO provides consistent formatting guidelines in all instances where EBSCO uses citation formats.  Specifically, EBSCO has updated their MLA and APA citation formats to conform to the latest guidelines available.  Extensive help and citation format guides are now available to all EBSCOhost users, including information on how to cite, as well as extra instructions specific to EBSCOhost citations. 

3. EBSCOhost RSS Feed and Search/Journal Alert Upgrades

EBSCOhost now features a new, one-step process for creating Search and Journal Alerts, and capturing RSS feeds.  Initially, this new process can be enabled by users who click on the red New Features link in the top right corner of the EBSCOhost screen, and then check the box in front of the feature, listed under What's New.  It is then enabled for the current search session.  Later in the fall, this feature will move off the New Features screen in EBSCOhost, and can be turned on or off by library administrators who have access to EBSCOadmin.

For example, after conducting an EBSCOhost search from the Advanced Search Screen, users will see the RSS orange icon under the Search History/Alerts sub-tab.  When clicked, EBSCOhost will automatically create a Search Alert, using the search criteria.  ESCOhost displays confirmation that the Search Alert has been created, including its RSS feed, used to enable news readers or aggregators to display alert results.  As long the EBSCOhost user adds the feed to an aggregator within one week of its creation, it will not expire, unless the aggregator does not automatically update results supplied by the feed for two months.   Also included in this EBSCOhost release are the following features:

• Users logged in to their My EBSCOhost folder can create RSS feeds in one step.
• EBSCOhost users not logged in to a My EBSCOhost folder will be able to create RSS feeds of alert content in EBSCOhost.
• Search Alert functionality now accommodates multiple databases

4.  Final Reminder
Many of you have already made the change from search.epnet.com to search.ebscohost.com.  EBSCO plans to maintain an automatic redirect of search.epnet.com only through June of 2007; after that date search.epnet.com will no longer be valid.  Please take a moment to ensure that you have made all changes necessary to accommodate a smooth transition to the new domain.  This includes any shortcuts you may have created on the desktops of your public access and staff computers and any materials you may have created to distribute to your patrons.

For more details and FAQs: http://support.epnet.com/support_news/detail.php?id=222&t=h
For technical support, you may call EBSCO at: 800-758-5995