SciFinder

28.1.09 SciFinder access via the web

Our seat allocation for access to SciFinder is currently split between the web and the client versions. (That is, the allocation is made in advance and seats are not available according to demand for web or client until they are all in use.) Daily reports have shown that this is not the most efficient use of our seats as users seem to either favour the web or client version and do not hop between the two versions according to seat availability.

Therefore, THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE PROPOSES THAT WE DISCONTINUE CLIENT ACCESS AND CHANGE TO SCIFINDER WEB VERSION ONLY FROM MARCH 1ST 2010.

Current client users are requested to start using the web version as soon as possible so that any problems may be addressed and resolved before the changeover.

The web version requires no software download or site prf files. Only a web browser and Java software are required.
Java information here:
http://www.cas.org/misc/downloads/jreplugin.html

Before using the web version for the first time it is necessary to register here:
http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/electronicresources/scifinder/

Then log in to SciFinder here:
https://scifinder.cas.org/scifinder/

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) is developing the web rather than the client version and since September 2009 new features for searching, analysis and collaboration have been available:

Functions unique to the web version include:
'Get similar reactions'
'Limit reactions by solvents'
'Export [substance] properties to microsoft excel'
Using tags for grouping references
Searching by 'tag'

An alerting service is available via a 'keep me posted' function.

Collaboration opportunities:
It is possible to share information with colleagues site-wide within University of Cambridge via the 'My Connections' feature.
Scifinder users must 'invite' or 'be invited' to share information and shared information is not available to any person outside this agreed arrangement.

A .pdf explaining how to use the new features in SciFinder Sept 09 is available here:
http://www.cas.org/ASSETS/88B542FC19B544C99BB77930C89B5998/whatsnew.pdf

Future funding of SciFinder is under discussion. There is no guarantee that this subscription will be renewed when the 2009-10 subscription expires at end September 2010. A financial commitment will be required by August 2010.
If access to SciFinder is important to you please make your Sector Head aware of this.

Please send all feedback to library@ch.cam.ac.uk

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19.11.09 Web version performance enhancements from 17.11.09.

Improved navigation and search speed for faster retrieval of answers.

Increased ease-of-use when switching between reaction and substance structure search types within the drawing editor.

Improved access to the drawing editor, via Java 1.5 or earlier versions*.

• Java versions prior to 1.6 are no longer supported by Sun Microsystems and CAS.

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30.10.09 SciFinder training seats allocated for yesterday's training are still active today.

5 additional client seats. (no ID and password required)

20 additional webs seats - https://scifinder.cas.org/scifinder/

ID / passwords for WEB version as follows:

SFSWEB808 / 048Z809
SFSWEB809 / 048Z825
SFSWEB810 / 048Z850
SFSWEB811 / 048Z866
SFSWEB812 / 048Z891
SFSWEB813 / 048Z907
SFSWEB814 / 048Z932
SFSWEB815 / 048Z948
SFSWEB816 / 048Z973
SFSWEB817 / 048Z989
SFSWEB818 / 048Z014
SFSWEB819 / 048Z039
SFSWEB820 / 048Z055
SFSWEB821 / 048Z080
SFSWEB822 / 048Z096
SFSWEB824 / 176G060
SFSWEB825 / 378P866
SFSWEB826 / 076D605
SFSWEB827 / 530U921
SFSWEB828 / 252K541

Please note links to full text subscriptions will not work with the web training IDs.

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6.10.09 New interactive training calendar

SciFinder users can quickly view the dates, times and descriptions of the various types of training that SciFinder has to offer, now in one location. Visit http://sfcalendar.cas.org/ to view and register for SciFinder training. Click on 'event' for more information and to select local time scheduling.

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25.9.09 Hightlighting SciFinder web new feature: My connections

It is now possible to establish a connection to share tags and comments with colleagues.

My Connections lets you establish connections and collaborate with other SciFinder users within your organization by sharing comments and tags that you have associated with SciFinder references.
Connecting to others also allows you to view your colleagues' comments and tags.

To establish a connection, click Invite Colleagues To Connect, locate a colleague of interest, and send them an invitation. If the colleague accepts your invitation, the two of you become connected and will begin sharing all of your comments and tags.

You can remove a connection with a colleague at any point. This removes your access to view each other's comments and tags.

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15.9.09 SciFinder web enhancements

The web version of SciFinder has been enhanced with new features and new content.

These enhancements, available from 14 September 2009, include new search, analytical, and collaboration tools.

Some of the new features include:

Get similar reactions
Limit reaction searches by select solvents
Sort reaction answer sets (e.g., by number of steps, percentage yield, publication year, or similarity)
Export physical property data to Microsoft Excel
Tag references with helpful descriptive user-defined terms
Add comments to references for sharing information and insights with colleagues
Link to other SciFinder users within your research site to share both research comments and tagged references

Some features from the client version:
Variable number of answers per page
Variable number of columns per page – structure scale
Customizable abstract display
Combine Keep Me Posted results
Next/Previous detail

New content enhancements include:
View 13C-NMR Predicted Spectra for 25 million substances

In addition, several performance and usability improvements have been included in the enhancement. Training and support resources are available at http://www.cas.org.

More information:
http://www.cas.org/ASSETS/88B542FC19B544C99BB77930C89B5998/whatsnew.pdf

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27.7.09 List of core journals indexed in CAplus

http://www.cas.org/expertise/cascontent/caplus/corejournals.html

List includes journal abbreviation, CODEN, and frequency. Bibliographic information is added within 7 days of publication.

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6.5.09 SciFinder and Internet Explorer 8

SciFinder is now operational with the latest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer 8. Those using Internet Explorer 8 will no longer have to use the built-in Compatibility View setting to explore SciFinder.

However, there may still be a print issue when printing detailed reference answers. Some of the content may be missing from the page. CAS recommends that you export your answer as a PDF or an .rtf file and then print the exported files. CAS hopes to have this issue resolved later this year when full Internet Explorer 8 support will be offered.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, please contact CAS Customer Care at help@cas.org.

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Seat allocation change

From May 1, 2009 - seats (concurrent use) as follows:
Web version: 2
Client version: 4

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CAS SciFinder webex seminars

To participate you need to set up Event Manager on your computer.
Select 'new user' from menu. here

Index of SciFinder seminars 3.2.09-11.11.09. Select 'SciFinder' from menu.

Note all times in US Eastern Standard time - add 5 hours to convert to GMT.
Enrollment and password required.

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Enriched content of CAS databases

CAS databases now include information from Wiley reaction collections:
Organic syntheses and Organic reactions (recent)
Encyclopedia of reagents for organic synthesis (EROS) (since September 2008). For more information visit www.cas.org

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28.1.09 SciFinder 2006 client to be discontinued

The 2006 client version of SciFinder will be withdrawn by Chemical Abstracts Service on January 30, 2009. If you are still using this version it is essential to install the 2007 version for uninterrupted access. Instructions for this available here:

http://www-library.ch.cam.ac.uk/scifinder/ (Raven protected)

A new release of client version 2007 for Macs (v2007a) which eliminates the need to use the Rosetta emulator is also now available.

Connect to the web version of SciFinder here: https://scifinder.cas.org/scifinder

It is necessary to register before using the web version for the first time: http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/electronicresources/scifinder

Seat allocation is currently 5 for client and 1 for web.

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7.1.08 SciFinder message of the day: SciFinder: Part of the Chemical Synthesis Process - a special focus on synthesis - now available.
A new paper is available from CAS that shows how SciFinder allows you to tap into a wealth of chemical synthesis information with its rich content and powerful tools. This special focus on synthesis includes examples that begin by exploring:
• Research topics
• Chemical names or structures
• Reaction structure drawings
• Functional group transformations
The paper also shows how you can quickly move among references, substances, reactions, and supplier information to spark and energize your search and discovery process. http://www.cas.org/ASSETS/DB0D3AD423644A22874D00CCDBBF3D83/sfsynth.pdf

SciFinder podcasts available at http://www.videogateway.tv/cas/index.php?SectionID=5

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The web version of SciFinder is now available. Some current issues regarding web access for MAC users are under investigation. 2 seats have been allocated to the web version and 4 to the desk-top client version. More information here.
Please feed back on your preferred method of access.

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23.10.08 - 24.10.08 Extra seats for training opportunities.

20 extra client seats and 5 web seats are available for 2 days.
The following training login IDs and passwords should be used for the web version:

SFSWEB206 042U153
SFSWEB209 042U169
SFSWEB210 042U186
SFSWEB211 042U202
SFSWEB212 042U218

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