Jump to: DiscoveryGate (web access) | Updating MDL Beilstein/Gmelin CrossFire/Commander 6.0 | Downloading the Client Software
LitLink option | User Guides | Other Beilstein Links

• DiscoveryGate
  
  The best access to Beilstein and Gmelin databases (as well as other synthetic methodology resources, Available Chemicals Directory, and more) is using the new DiscoveryGate web based access. This resource is easy to install, provides the same powerful structure based compound and reaction searching as classic CrossFire Commander, and is easier to use. DiscoveryGate is also fully integrated with the Library's linking service, FindIt! (although the accuracy of the links from the Beilstein database is limited due to the format of the references). University of Chicago users simply point their web browsers to http://www.discoverygate.com/ and select the Download Center tab from the home page of DiscoveryGate. You are authenticating by IP, so you need to be on campus, or using VPN from off campus. (DiscoveryGate is not yet compatible with EZProxy, the off-campus proxy web authentication service, but the tech support people at MDL promise they are working on it!)

  Windows first-time users will have to download an installer and run it.
  Mac users do not have to do any additional install, just follow instructions given to start DiscoveryGate access.

  NOTE: For Windows users, on starting DiscoveryGate, the initial load of the Java library to your browser takes 2-3 minutes. Be patient, there is no status bar or indication that anything is happening, but the page will eventually load. This initial load does not affect searching times once you're in the database.

  There is a quick start guide available for DiscoveryGate in PDF format. The library will also be offering introductory sessions for DiscoveryGate; contact Andrea Twiss-Brooks (atbrooks@uchicago.edu) if you are interested in attending.

• MDL Commander Client Software
  Version 7 (Windows) and version 6 (Mac) of the Commander client interface for searching BeilsteinCrossFire and GmelinCrossFire are available for download. Download instructions may be found by clicking on the appropriate link in the next section of this page.
  
  

• Downloading the Client Software

  University of Chicago students, faculty and staff may use Beilstein/Gmelin CrossFire from workstations in the Chemistry and Crerar Libraries. It is also possible to download a copy of the software to any networked campus computer. To get download instructions, click the appropriate choice below. If you have any trouble with downloading the client, please contact the Chemistry Librarian.

  • Windows
  • Macintosh
    
    
• User Guides

  Below is a list of web based guides for searching on CrossFire Commander. Users may also consult the online help files for more detailed instructions.
  

  • University of Chicago Web Guides for Beilstein CrossFire
    
    
    • Version 6 (2003)
      • Guide to Beilstein CrossFire Fact Searching (PDF -- 2 Mb)
      • Guide to Beilstein CrossFire Structure Searching (PDF -- 2.2 Mb)
    • Version 2000
      • Guide to Beilstein CrossFire Fact Searching (HTML)
      • Guide to Beilstein CrossFire Fact Searching (PDF -- 1.5 Mb)
      • Guide to Beilstein CrossFire Structure Searching (HTML)
        
        
    • Version 4.0
      • Guide to Beilstein CrossFire Fact Searching
      • Guide to Beilstein CrossFire Structure Searching
      • Guide to Preparation Searching using Reaction Query
      • Guide to Preparation Searching using Structure Query
      • Tips for Advanced Structure Searching
      • Tips for Reaction Searching
        
        
    • Version 3.2
      • Guide to Beilstein CrossFire Fact Searching (version 3.2)
      • Guide to Beilstein CrossFire Structure Searching (version 3.2)
      • Guide to Finding Compound Preparations
        
        

• Other Beilstein Links
  
  
  • MDL CrossFire Beilstein information
    This site contains links to more information about the Beilstein product line, including help files, database descriptions, support, etc.