SARA server for access to the BNC
1. Brief background
SARA (SGML Aware Retrieval Application) is a client/server package that
allows a networked
PC (Win 95/98/NT) to query the BNC (British National Corpus) hosted
on a UNIX server. At present
there is no UNIX client - you have to access the BNC via SARA from
a PC.
2. So what do I need to connect?
You will need a PC running Win 95/98/NT and the SARA client software. You
can download the client
software from the BNC site at Oxford
University. You are looking for something like 'sara32.zip'. As you
can see, this is a zipped file and you might also need an unzip program
if you don't have one on your PC
already. A good source of unzip packages for Windows can
be found at Hensa.
3. OK, I have SARA on my PC- what now?
Double-click on the SARA icon. When it asks you what machine to connect
to type in 'stanage.dcs.shef.ac.uk'.
For username and password type 'guest'. And that is it - your SARA
client should be connected to the server
on stanage. Now you can submit your queries and otherwise interrogate
the database.
4. Anything Else?
You will almost certainly want to have the SARA manual. Go to the BNC
page at Oxford University to learn
more about SARA and the BNC
CPS 28/1/00