OJAX federated search service software is now in Beta release and available for download. Version 0.7 has improved performance, stability and user feedback, as well as additional features such as RSS/Atom feed support. (Atom feeds of stored searches alert users when new content matching their interests is harvested.)OJAX illustrates how federated search services can respond to new user expectations generated by Web 2.0:OJAXRich, dynamic user experience. OJAX uses Ajax technology to provide immediate dynamic response to user input.Intuitive interface. The OJAX interface provides the simplicity and familiarity of Google but with the power of advanced searchIntegration, interoperability and reuse. OJAX uses loosely coupled Web Services and supports the OpenSearch RSS standard, thus facilitating integration with a range of virtual library environments, institutional repositories, course management systems and institutional portals.Open source standards-compliance. OJAX supports best-practice open source standards and software, including OpenSearch, OAI-PMH, StAX and Apache Lucene.
Features of OJAX:Auto-completion of search termsTriggering of auto-searchesDynamically scrollable search results - no more navigating between pagesAuto-expansion of search result detailsRapid sorting of resultsIntegrated with the Firefox 2 / IE 7 search featureSupports OpenSearch DiscoveryStored searches as Atom feedsIncludes an OAI-PMH harvesterEasy to install in your own institution
Further information, demo and download.Two alternative packages are available:OJAX GUI, Web Services & HarvesterOJAX GUI, Web Services, Harvester & example repository index
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Dr Judith Wusteman