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Language was a big difference, but not a big obstacle. I was surprised
how easy it was to use the German-language catalog. If front-end
software such as MacMelvyl is included in this comparison, then its
graphical, dialog-box style of interface is very different from the
underlying command-line interface of Melvyl. In file-transfer sites,
the ability to directly manipulate the files and directories with
software such as Rapid Filer for Windows and Fetch for
the Macintosh was completely different from the command line interface
to ftp. Another, almost anecdotal difference is connections that
worked versus connections that failed. It is hard to tell whether a
failed connection is the fault of the user, the local interface, or
the remote system. Successful connections made one interface seem
more successful, while crummy connections reflected poorly upon
another interface. Where successful connections were accomplished,
some systems and searches yielded the desired information--and this
made an interface seem more helpful than one where no useful
information was retrieved. Some of these `differences' might seem
superstitious, but I'm sure I'm not the only user who will always
return to the interface that `worked for me last time.'
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sean dreilinger