Bibliographic Search and Retrieval software at its finest -- ROMWright™ is NISC's innovative software technology for access to any NISC information product available on BiblioLine, our Web search service, or on CD-ROM.

ROMWright continues to set standards in search software for bibliographic and abstract databases. Searching never requires strange punctuation or syntax -- no other search software offers as much structure yet is so easy to use. Only ROMWright provides three distinct search modes, specially designed to suit each user's personal style: NOVICE mode provides a basic index and search functionality, ADVANCED mode offers distinct fill-in-the-blank field searching, and the EXPERT mode is an innovative, full-powered update of the traditional online set-searching format. Best of all, ROMWright can be configured by the librarian or administrator regarding user options.

ROMWright's interface is intuitive and makes any NISC product easy for the novice and facile for the expert. Our new thesaurus module is the ultimate tool for constructing powerful database searches. Other search aids include an optional interactive auto-index feature, and the ability to save and reuse important searches.

ROMWright Features Include:

"Behind the screens" search power
ROMWright provides advanced search power without complicating matters for the user. Commands, even those used less frequently, are just a keystroke or two away. Many users like the context-sensitive screen prompts which suggest the next step to take. Full, context-sensitive help texts make the manual practically unnecessary. Walk-in patrons new to database searching and research experts alike, do not have their time wasted. NISC DISCs save time for the trainer-librarian.

ROMWright has never "dropped the ball" on essential areas like browsing-by-title and access to the index. Nor do we force default software settings upon users or librarians. A special configuration program lets administrators set options to their liking, as well as decide what options to let the user change at will. This feature is also useful for emulating other software's look and feel.

P.I.C.^TM Variant Searching - Ideal for users of English as a second language.
Plurals - Type the plural form and the singular is searched as well, automatically. Or type the singular and the search includes the plural form. Now you don't have to use truncation for plurals and search more words than is useful.

International Variants - International, English-language spelling differences and many similar variants are searched automatically. You search the same topic with just one word, whether it's the word used in the record or your equivalent. This feature spells greater retrieval, especially for products featuring databases from around the world.

Compound Words - A compound-word term can be one word, a hyphenated word, or two separate words. The distinction may differ from record to record, database to database, or search to search. Now you can retrieve all three forms automatically no matter which was used for searching. (NOTE: Use quotes around the search term to disable P.I.C.)

Automatic truncation (optional)
Leave out the star (*) in some search fields if desired. Like the Automatic Plural Search, this is a great feature for novice users and libraries with walk-in patrons.

EXPERT mode -- for set-searching!
New life for command-line searching! EXPERT set-searching mode completely updates the online approach, providing all the flexibility and power that users demand. Innovative design keeps your previous searches and totals on-screen as you create new searches.

Our set-searching mode appeals to anyone familiar with the traditional command-line format for search input used by the major online vendors or other "power users." EXPERT mode combines good screen display design with overall helpful innovations. It is easy to base new searches upon previous ones and/or edit previous search sets and watch the effects cascade through the results of subsequent searches. The results of any search set are easily displayed.

ROMWright Thesaurus -- best in the industry!
Thesaurus users now have full control over the database with sophisticated search construction. This is the most helpful and informative implementation to date -- you'll explode searches to new levels!

Follow word trees at length, open display windows for any terms you select (in any of three distinctive formats), and even "hyperlink" from term to term and back again without losing your place. It's so easy to read and to navigate, you may forget to run the search! When you do, you'll find an equally advanced "explode" command permits retrieval of related terms as well as (or instead of) narrower terms! Try it out on the ERIC database.

ROMWright is the speed king!
Compare for yourself. If you're using a competitor's version, such as for the ERIC database, we invite you to try NISC. Test identical databases and search strategies (Note: you may need to put your NISC search term in quotes - in order to disable our automatic advanced search techniques and duplicate the search interpretation of other products) side-by-side -- you'll be amazed by ROMWright's combination of search speed and more powerful searching. Robust search aids, configurable options, and straightforward display and output make your entire ROMWright session faster and more productive. Busy libraries and all users save time with every search, regaining hours over the course of a week, especially for LAN usage.

Librarian's configuration program
Librarians can set the software options to suit their libraries. Choose the most appropriate search mode(s) for your patrons -- even emulate other major software systems. User control of the software options can also be set exactly. Configurable system options maximize LAN performance.

"Update" command retrieves newest records
Now you can limit searches to just those records added (updated) since the last disc -- great for saved searches.

New display & output features
Set margins, line and page length, etc. Full sort capability for record display and output. More record display & output formats Browse by title and year, yet tag records for output in a convenient citation format. Or, choose from among several full-record formats. Or, design and save your own custom format!

Lateral searching -- on record display terms!
After your main search, select terms in the record text and launch a new, secondary search! Hypertext searching is well under way with ROMWright.

ROMWright: Serve up a full "silver platter"
NISC is growing fast, thanks to thousands of users who've recognized an ambitious software product. They like where NISC has been from the start, and where its rapid progress is leading. For state-of-the-art software, minimal training time, and overall value, nothing beats NISC. Try a NISC product today, and take advantage of our free ERIC on CD-ROM offer with a subscription to the Family & Society Studies Worldwide. Some titles are available for purchase.

If you have read this far, you owe it to yourself to give NISC a try!