Once in the EDO file, the user can select a help screen or go directly to the Database Search option. There is no field searching in the system, only full-text. Users search by key words using Boolean logic. Multiword terms such as hearing impaired are searched within three words of each other, regardless of word order. When a given search has been completed, an index is displayed listing all the digests meeting the search requirements.
Users then select one or more records to view.
Records can be downloaded to a printer, floppy disk, or a hard drive using the commands of the specific communications software package one is using. The system does not permit users to save their search strategies. After searching is complete, the system may be exited by hitting to return to the options menu, then typing bye to logoff. Search software for interrogating the data is included. Query runs on all IBM PCs and compatibles.