Sci-Mate—a microcomputer system for Online Search and Personal File Management

Sci-Mate is a microcomputer software package that has two independent, but related, components. One is called the Universal Online Searcher (UOS). It enables a person to search five online host systems using a single menu-driven language and to download records from the search. The second component is called the Personal Data Manager (PDM). It enables the downloaded records to be formatted into fields, stored, updated and text searched in the users' own files on the microcomputer. The UOS performs three major functions. First, it mediates the data communications and login process. Second, it translates from a menu-driven to the respective host language, and third, it controls the downloading of responses.