RefWorks has implemented a new December 2004 release.

User information follows below as well as news about new linking partners for RefWorks, RefShare, and the integration of Blackboard with RefWorks.

As always, these updates and enhancements are delivered to RefWorks users at no additional charge. They do not require you to download additional software, and they will not affect data stored in your RefWorks account.

If you have any additional questions about these enhancements, please contact support@refworks.com.

General Program Enhancements

Global Edit of Reference Types

You can now change the reference type of multiple records at a single time using the Global Edit tool. Previously, to change the reference type you had to edit each record individually.

Expanded Advanced Search

The Advanced Search now includes the ability to construct searches using all fields in a record (including User Defined fields).

Global Delete of Author Names, Periodical Names or Descriptors

In addition to being able to edit groups of records using the Lookup by Author, Periodical or Descriptor features (located in the Search Area of RefWorks), you can now globally delete information from these three fields of information by clicking on a delete link.

Administrator Tool

RefWorks Administrators may now delete default focus types in the Custom Focus Area.

Imported URLs

It was brought to our attention that data vendors are now including characters such as a comma or an @ symbol in their URLs. These symbols will now be allowed in links imported into RefWorks and will not “break” the URL as was the previous behavior.

Creating a New Folder

After a folder is created when selecting Create New Folder from the Folders menu, the user will be taken back to the location from which they selected Create New Folder.

For example, if after a retrieval you want to put all of the retrieved references in a new folder you can now:

• Select Create a New Folder from the Folder Menu
• Create the Folder
• Click Ok and return to the retrieval results
• Select All in List and Put in the new folder

The previous version automatically went to the Organize Folder area after the new folder was created.

Enhanced FAQs and Import Instructions

In the RefWorks Online Help, you will now see an expanded list of Frequently Asked Questions and an expanded list of Data Vendor import instructions.

RefShare

In addition to the above enhancements, a new add-on module to RefWorks called RefShare is in beta testing for release in early 2005. This module allows users to share individual folders from their RefWorks account or even their entire RefWorks database with other users in their Institution. Public accessibility is also available if the subscribing Institution chooses this option. RefShare will only be available on an Institution-wide basis and will not be available for Individual RefWorks Subscribers. You will hear more about RefShare when it is released.

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