JAFER

If you're in need of a powerful toolkit that's easy to use, JAFER is definitely worth checking out. Built on top of Z39.50, JAFER is specifically designed to allow users to build portals and information sources without having to worry about the technical details of Z39.50.

For those who aren't familiar, Z39.50 is a standard protocol used to communicate and retrieve information between computers. JAFER makes use of this protocol to provide standard ways to search distributed databases and retrieve full-text documents, bibliographic data, images, multimedia and more.

To ensure that the software remains accessible, JAFER has been designed as a visual toolkit that can be implemented on any computer platform. The JAFER Project is part of the JISC DNER programme, which is aimed at both programmers and web developers building resources for teaching and learning.

One of the most impressive things about JAFER is that it's easily configurable by both technical and non-technical users. With a user-friendly interface, even those with little technical skill can easily configure the software to their liking. For more advanced users, JAFER also provides the option to use XML configuration files and JavaBean properties, making it a versatile and customizable toolkit.