You Can Now Keep Your RefWorks Account When You Leave UCSF!

Great news! On October 1 RefWorks-COS announced that alumni now have access to RefWorks as long as their institution subscribes to RefWorks. So that means you can keep your account active when you leave UCSF.

More information later.

Which Version of EndNote Should I Use?

EndNote releases a new version of its desktop software every year and it can be difficult to decide if it's worth upgrading from an earlier version. This year EndNote X3 for Windows was released in June and X3 for the Mac in August. I haven't got a copy of X3 yet but from what I've heard it's fairly similar to EndNote X2.

The University of Queensland has a great review of X3 features.

Mac users should note that EndNote X3 will run on OS X (10.5.6) but there are reports of problems with Snow Leopard, the latest Mac OS release.

EndNote versions X, X1, X2 and X3 seem to be fully compatible with each other. However, if, for example, EndNote X users open a library created in X3, new features only available in X3, such as groups, are ignored by version X. Otherwise all the key features are the same and if you take a class using X2 you won't have any problems using X3 or X1.

Upcoming EndNote & RefWorks Classes at UCSF

The new schedule for the UCSF Library's Fall Qtr classes is now up on the Library's GALEN website. The first "Getting Started with RefWorks" class is on October 6, the next "Getting Started with EndNote X2" on November 4.

What's EndNote Web and Should I Use It?

There are now two versions of EndNote: desktop EndNote (the version that most people are familiar with, and sits on your computer), and EndNote Web (a web-based version you access with a browser). The desktop EndNote version is the most powerful and sophisticated, and generally considered to be the most suitable for academics, researchers and postgraduates. The Web version is aimed more at undergraduates.

There is a useful comparison of the features of EndNote desktop and EndNote Web available here.


Note that UCSF faculty, staff, and students may use EndNote Web free of charge. This is useful as references can easily be moved between the two versions. EndNote Web may be a useful way of collecting references when you're away from your computer and can't access the desktop software.