This CD includes nothing more or less than is in the latest print version of “The Merck Index.” New print editions appear about every five to seven years. The value added by the electronic version is the extensive number of access paths provided by the software and the full‐text indexing. The software is easy to install. This reviewer, using a Windows ‘95 interface, could easily follow the instructions and had the software loaded and the service in use in under five minutes.
The design of the software is elegant and simple. The dominant motif uses buttons often arranged in menus. While buttons with icons can sometimes be difficult to interpret at first use, an automatic pop‐open help utility provides needed information shortly after the cursor covers the button. Typically, there is a window for typing search terms and a second window to display search results or an index listing. A separate context sensitive Help Utility is also available. And there is an easy‐to‐use printed manual.
The search software is conveniently divided into four parts: Quick Search, [Chemical] Name Search, Command Search and Structure Search, which are indicated with buttons on the opening screen. Quick Search allows for a direct and simple search in one of eight indexes: All names, Formula, Properties, Therapeutic categories, All Text, CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) Registry, Use and Title name. As the search term is typed, the software moves through a browsable index to the closest point which matches the keyed characters. There is no provision for combination searching in this sector of the software. The search results here, and at all points of the program, provide a list of titles which are the chemical names by which the compounds are organized in the print version.
The Menu Search, as labeled by this software, provides a structured Boolean search (similar to the Web search engine “Open Text”). A form provides blanks for entering search terms, pull down menus to specify the field of each search term, and the Boolean operators which join the terms.
The Command Search format provides an unstructured process for advanced searchers who wish to combine search terms and fields unencumbered by the buttons and pull down menus and blanks of the Menu Search.
The fourth search path, Structure Search, allows the searcher to draw a structural formula for the chemical species being sought. This process, because of the nature of chemical structures, is complicated and dependent on a more than introductory knowledge of compound structures and the principles which control bonding and relationships within the structure. It is essential that the user read the Structure Search section which covers nineteen of the fifty‐five pages in the Windows 95 version of The Merck Index manual. The power of the Structure Search includes the ability to search by substructure configuration. This feature makes The Merck Index CD highly desirable where research on chemical structure is underway.
Another especially useful feature is the ability to move between a Structure Search and a Text Search. This means a searcher can identify the entries by chemical name, properties, or one of the other text searches, select a specific entry and convert the structure of that compound into a Structure Search, thus avoiding the tedious drawing of a compound structure.
I am usually skeptical of the value of most CD‐ROM versions of print reference tools like The Merck Index, which are relatively easy to use in their print format. Typically, the electronic version is not well implemented and does not provide much value beyond what I like to call “automated page turning.” This Merck Index is a distinct exception. While it is more expensive, $250 for stand alone use of the CD, versus $45 for the print, in many situations the superiority of the CD will be worth the extra cost. In fact, the quality of The Merck Index and the tremendous search capabilities may make some other chemistry reference sources less necessary. The CD‐ROM will be most useful in support of researchers and advanced students who need flexible access to information about chemical compounds.
Versions are available for DOS, Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, and Macintosh. The CD comes, in the Windows 95 version, with a 55 page manual which is easy to follow. The technical requirements are:
PC/Windows/Windows 95: 486 processor or higher, 8 MB RAM minimum. 18 MB free hard disk space, double speed CD‐ROM drive or faster, VGA monitor at 640x480 pixels, 256 colors. (* Will normally also run to a lower performance standard (e.g. longer search times) on IBM 386 and/or with lesser hard disk and RAM capacity than those stated above.)
Macintosh: 68030, 68040 or PowerPC processor (modules are supplied optimized for both 68K and PowerPC systems), System 7.1 or greater, color monitor (at least 640x480 pixels, 256 colors), CD‐ROM drive, 8 MB RAM, 25 MB free disk space for full installation of modules with help files and Materials Science on CD‐ROM.
Additional information is available at Chapman & Hall’s Web site: http://www.thompson.com/chaphall/epd/epdhome.html. Contact is also possible at (908) 594‐6310 (voice) or (908) 594‐1187 (FAX).
