SciFinder Scholar

Overview

To access SciFinder Scholar from your desktop, you must install the client on your personal computert. If your department has a technical representative, contact that person about using this software. If your department does not have a technical representative, you may wish to contact DoIT for technical support.

Valid Users

Any valid UW-Madison campus user may access SciFinder Scholar from a personal computer. This includes campus sites with Internet connections and WiscWorld remote access users.

DSL and Cable Modem Remote Access

DSL and cable modem users must install WiscVPN to connect to locally installed SciFinder Scholar. An active UW NetID is required to use WiscVPN. To access these databases remotely, launch WiscVPN, than launch the database.

To learn more about WiscVPN, go to:
http://www.doit.wisc.edu/network/vpn/

To activate your UW NetID, go to:
https://www.mynetid.wisc.edu/accounts.pl?type=activate

Minimum System Requirements (v. 2007)

Windows:
  • Computer: PC with at least a 450 MHz Pentium-class or equivalent processor
  • Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 2000 (SP3 or higher), XP (SP1 or SP2), or Vista
  • Memory: 256 MB RAM
  • Available Hard Disk Space: 50 MB (not including pagefile memory); 90 MB for installation  
  • TCP/IP network level connection.
Macintosh:
  • Computer: Apple® Macintosh with an Intel x86 or Power PC G4 or G5 processor
  • Operating System: Mac OS X 10.3 or 10.4
  • Available Hard Drive Space: 65 MB
  • TCP/IP network level connection.

Installation

  1. Check with departmental technical representative, program administrator, or project leader.
  2. Open SciFinder Client Distribution Page.
  3. Read appropriate system installation guide.
  4. Launch the Windows .exe or MacIntosh .hqx file and complete the default installation.
  5. Copy the site.prf file to the directory on your hard drive where you installed SciFinder Scholar. Do not open the ".prf" file. There was one reported instance where opening the ".prf" file corrupted Outlook Express.

Scifinder Scholar Updates

Notify General Library System/Library Technology Group if you wish to receive client-related notifications.