If you are using a web browser such as Firefox or Internet Explorer, then you have probably noticed that they can be extended in different ways through add-ons (also called extensions or plug-ins). The CERN Document Server (CDS) team is making new features available that interact with these add-ons to increase the usability and visibility of its services.
CDS Toolbar
Similar to the Google Toolbar that you may already be familiar with, you can now install a CDS toolbar for your browser. This will give you access to the powerful CDS search engine to find the document that you are looking for quickly, without having to open the CDS search interface page. The toolbar will enhance your browsing experience with the following features:
• Context-menu integration – right-click on an author name on any webpage to open a search in CDS.
• Auto-recognition of ISBN/ISSN book and periodical reference numbers – you can see if a resource is available in the library.
• Future integration with major digital content websites including Amazon, Google Scholar and Wikipedia.
The CDS toolbar is currently available for Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers and uses the LibX technology.
Zotero
Have you ever had to compile your personal bibliography while writing a resumé/CV or a scientific article? Maybe you have been using CDS personal baskets to keep the list of articles together, but now you need a way to aggregate articles from other document servers or websites in the list as well? Thanks to the Zotero Firefox extension, it is possible to do this with only a few mouse clicks. If you visit a website containing publications or scholarly information on CDS and other Zotero-powered websites, Zotero enables you to save the material, it keeps it organized and allows you to export the information to your favourite format (including BibTeX).
RSS
If you have selected a particular collection or performed a search query on CDS, in addition to the popular e-mail alert notification system you can now stay up to date with recent papers on CDS via personalized RSS feeds from that collection or query. After entering the query that you are interested in, just click on the RSS icon either in the location toolbar or in the "Interested in being notified about?" search box. You will then subscribe to a feed that will automatically alert you as soon as new papers on this topic appear on CDS. Figure 1 shows a typical browser window that is using the CDS toolbar and shows you where to click for this RSS feed.
Cooliris
The CDS now supports a new and futuristic way to browse its multimedia content: just install the Cooliris plug-in in your favourite browser. The CERN multimedia content will then be available as a three-dimensional wall that you can navigate in any direction, as shown in figure 2.
Useful links
CERN Document Server: http://cdsweb.cern.ch/
CDS Toolbar: http://libx.org/editions/download.php?edition=4F46CD81
Zotero: http://www.zotero.org/
Cooliris: http://www.cooliris.com/