DataStar Alerts Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get general Alert information while online?

Yes, with the ..help ..alert. The command will provide a menu that allows the choice of how to set up, execute, and change Alerts and quick command techniques. Also, the ..price command while in the database or through ..price<database label> (e.g., ..price hlpa) will provide the price and frequency information for the Alert in that database.

Can I create an Alert on DataStarWeb?

Yes, after completing the search strategy, click the Alert button and follow the instructions. This can be used in either the Easy or Advanced Search.

How many free records are included in a DataStar Alert?

Records are not included in the price of the Alert; again ..price will provide the cost of the records. Also, you cannot specify the number of documents you want to receive with each Alert run — DataStar will send all documents that meet the search strategy requirements.

How will I know if my Alerts didn't run?

Classic users can use the DIST database to check their Alerts. If you have not received the Alerts on the day that you have set, call Customer Services at 800-334-2564. We will contact Bern, Switzerland, in order to determine why the Alerts have not been received.

How can I run an Alert manually on DataStar?

Enter ..exec Alert<Alert name> (e.g., ..exec q0029)

Enter ..limit help  <—This shows the limit options in the file.

Limit the set number by the update date (usually ud=YYMMDD).

Print from desired set.

Will I be notified if an Alert run gets zero records?

Yes. Notification is the default situation — you get a "cover sheet" indicating zero records. There is no SET NOTIFY OFF feature within DataStar.

Can I use duplicate detection in my Alerts?

Yes. Duplicates can be detected, kept or dropped.

Can you set up an Alert in StarSearch (more than one file)?

Yes. In DataStar Classic it is possible to build Alerts that will run in more than one database by using the cluster feature. Each database used in StarSearch will create a single Alert. Creating Alerts information can be found in Creating and Using Alerts at http://training.dialog.com/sem_info/courses/#alert.

Can I put more than one PRINT command in my Alert?

No. DataStar will only send results from the chosen set in the selected format. There can be only one print statement per Alert.

Are there any formats that cannot be used?

There is a KWIC format in some files on DataStar, but it cannot be used for Alerts. For a listing of formats available in a file see the file's Datasheet.

Can I have a user-defined format in an Alert?

Yes. The user can decide the format of the output by choosing the free, short, medium, or long format or by defining formats. An example of this is ti, so, au in which the user restricts the output to the title, source, and author fields.

Can I copy an Alert from one DataStar user ID to another?

No. DataStar does not offer this feature.

Is DataStar ERA available with an Alert?

Yes. REDIST=# or ARCHIVE=# can be added when setting up or editing an Alert on DataStar. See ..help era online for information on ERA in DataStar. See also Using ERA with the Classic DataStar System for more information about ERA.

Can I make date restrictions:

Yes, ..limit (..l yr=2000) can be used to limit year, however alerts are run against whatever the producer of the file sends as an update.

Will my Alert arrive at the same time each day, week, or month?

You can set the Alert to be delivered on a certain day of the month or week, or you can set it to run whenever the file is updated. If a certain file update is late, it will be included the next time your Alert is set to run. You can also include an expiration date for when you want the Alert to stop running.

Can an Alert be sent to more than one address?

Yes, however only 100 characters can be used. In DataStar Web: name@xyz.com, name2@xyz.com, name3@xyz.com. In DataStar Classic: @internet name@xyz.com, name2@xyz.com, name3@xyz.com. If using more than one address it becomes subject to ERA (redistribution) charges.

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