New database and new search facilities on CORDIS
In early January 1995, CORDIS launched a new database which contains details of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for Community RTD programmes. The new database is called RTD-EOI and can be searched on-line using Watch-CORDIS or the Common Command Language (CCL). Initially the database covers the Information Technologies and Telematics Applications programmes, which are currently referred to in CORDIS by the programme acronyms ESPRIT 4 and TELMATSYS 2C. The Information Technologies EOIs can also be entered via the new CORDIS World Wide Web Server. (See RCN 3362 for further information.) Telematics entries are automatically transferred from Eurokom's Eurocontact database. RTD-EOI is a partner-search database and is thematically related to RTD-Partners. The two databases also have a similar basic structure. To make searching easy, the core fields used are the same in both databases. However, as Expressions of Interest have a short life-span, limited to the duration of a call for proposals, the database has been kept separate from RTD-Partners. At the end of each call, normally after three months, expressions of interest will be deleted from RTD-EOI. Depending on the wishes of the person who provides the EOI, the record can then be transferred to RTD-Partners, to remain available for partner searches. Because of its short life span the RTD-EOI database will not be held on the CORDIS CD-ROM. RTD-EOI and RTD-Partners can be searched as usual with Watch-CORDIS and CCL. Because the two databases are closely related, CORDIS is offering CCL users a new search facility, known as SUPERBASE. This makes it possible to make a combined search of these two partners databases. To use this facility, first select the combined databases by typing the following CCL command: SBASE PARTNERS Then search in free-text, such as: F MULTIMEDIA or directly on a field shared by the two databases, such as: F LPG=ESPRIT 4 The number of records found will be the total of those found in RTD-EOI and RTD-Partners. The SHOW command can be used in any of its usual formats to view the records, which will always appear with RTD-EOI records first, followed by RTD-Partners records. The DISPLAY command displays an index of the combined contents of the two databases. If a search is conducted on a field that is present in only one of the databases, the search will be limited to that database.