iPlanet Compass Server Overview

What is iPlanet Compass Server?

Contents:

iPlanet Compass Server is a search service you can use to find information on your local network or parts of the global Internet. The server makes it easier for you to locate the files and web pages you need to see, without wasting your time "surfing" to find them.

Note: As you read these help pages, keep in mind that your system administrator can configure and customize iPlanet Compass Server. Your administrator can add, delete, or change Compass components, so what you see may not be exactly the same as what is described here.

About iPlanet Compass Server

At the heart of the iPlanet Compass Server is an index of documents located on your network. Documents can be web pages, web sites, text files, and other items. The Compass index is similar to the card catalogs found in libraries, and for each document the index usually lists title, author, dates, keywords, location, and so forth. (Your system administrator determines what document information the index stores.) From time to time, as determined by your administrator, the index is updated.

When you use iPlanet Compass Server, you search the index for documents that match the criteria you specify. For example, you could search for Sales Reports or all documents written by a particular author, or everything with one or more keywords. (Keep in mind that you are searching the index, not the documents themselves.)

The documents available through the iPlanet Compass Server are usually organized into subject categories that are defined by your system administrator. For example, a server containing corporate documents might be organized by department (Marketing, Research & Development, Sales). In addition to searching the index, you can browse through categories and subcategories until you find the documents you want.

The server indexes different kinds of information about each document. For example, the server might list the title, author, and description for each document. You can use any or all of this information to find specific documents.

Searching and Browsing

Using your web browser to access the iPlanet Compass Server, you can use the iPlanet Compass Server Search page to locate specific documents. You can either search or browse the server.

Searching. Part of iPlanet Compass Server is a Verity search engine that lets you search for documents. To search for documents, you go to the The Search Page and type one or more keywords describing the information you wish to locate in the search box. Then you click the Search button. For example, if you want to find a white paper on Internet technology, you can search for documents containing the word Internet.
Browsing. Administrators commonly group documents by category. You can go to a category by clicking its name. Each time you click a category, an alphabetic list of documents in the category is displayed along with any subcategories. To view a particular document in the list, click the document's title.

When Should I Browse and When Should I Search?

When using iPlanet Compass Server, you can choose to either browse or search for documents. The following table lists a few tips to help you decide whether to browse or search.

Browse through categories if:	Search for documents if:
You are exploring the iPlanet Compass Server for the first time You aren't sure which words and phrases to search for You want to see documents on a particular subject For example, you want to see some documents published by marketing, but you're not sure which specific words to search for. Rather than enter a search, you can browse to the Marketing category and explore the documents in its subcategories.	You are looking for a specific document You want to find documents based on criteria other than subject (for example, documents written by a specific person) You don't know which category the document might be in For example, you want to find the forms to apply for the company's stock purchase plan. Rather than browse through the categories under Human Resources, you can search for the specific documents containing the words stock purchase plan; and forms.

Browse through categories if:

Search for documents if:

You are exploring the iPlanet Compass Server for the first time
You aren't sure which words and phrases to search for
You want to see documents on a particular subject

For example, you want to see some documents published by marketing, but you're not sure which specific words to search for.

Rather than enter a search, you can browse to the Marketing category and explore the documents in its subcategories.

You are looking for a specific document
You want to find documents based on criteria other than subject (for example, documents written by a specific person)
You don't know which category the document might be in

For example, you want to find the forms to apply for the company's stock purchase plan.

Rather than browse through the categories under Human Resources, you can search for the specific documents containing the words stock purchase plan; and forms.