Internet Guide: Veronica 
 
What is Veronica?  Veronica is a software program used within Gopher (see Gopher handout) that 
searches Gopher menu titles throughout worldwide Gopherspace.  Rather than move menu by menu 
through the hundreds of Gopher servers on the internet, you type in the word (or words) you are interested 
in and Veronica returns a list of Gopher menu items that match the terms of your search.  This list of 
items is essentially a Gopher menu customized to your search specifications.  By selecting an item from 
this list, you will be connected to the actual item on whatever Gopher server is its host.  Veronica is used 
within Gopherspace and uses the same commands.   Veronica stands for Very Easy Rodent-Oriented Net-
wide Index to Computer Archives.  Have fun. 
 
Where do I find Veronica?  Veronica is a menu choice on VUinfo under Internet Resources by Access 
Method/Gopher/Search Gopher Menu Items in gopherspace using Veronica, and can also be found 
somewhere on most Gopher servers. 
 
How does Veronica work?  Veronica is a software service that maintains an index of Gopher menu items.   
Every two weeks the Veronica program searches Gopher servers around the world and saves the menu 
item titles and related pathways in a database.  When you query Veronica, it searches this database and 
sends a Gopher menu customized to your search request  to your computer.  This Gopher menu can then 
be used in the same manner as any other Gopher menu to read and retrieve files. 
 
How can I use Veronica?  Use keyword search terms to quickly locate Gopher items for your specific 
topic.  There are different versions of Veronica software.  With some versions you can combine keywords 
using and, or and not or you may be able to limit your search to specific kinds of files.  Look for Read Me 
files to find specific instructions for the version you are using at the time or contact the Vanderbilt 
University Computing Center (VUCC) at 343-1631.  
 
Here are some search examples: 
 
1. A single word search: education returned 12 screens  with over  
   two hundred items.  Here is a small sample: 
 
            Search gopherspace at NYSERNet: education 
 
     -->  5.  New Horizons in Adult Education: The First Five Years  
          6.  The Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research,  
          7.  COCAMED  - Computers in Canadian Medical Education/ 
          8.  the Internet - a Higher Education Communications  
          9.  Science Education   
  
2. Searching two or more words using and:  education and reform  
   returns three screens of items with both education and reform in  
   the title: 
 
           Search gopherspace at NYSERNet: education and reform  
 
     --->  1.  The Limits of Reform in the Enlightenment: Attitudes  
           2.  nsf9367     - NSF 93-67 -- Urban Systemic Initiatives  
           3.  Promoting Systemic Education Reform for all Students  
           4.  education-reform.     
           5.  education-reform.    
           6.  MUSEUM SCIENCE FIGURES IN EDUCATION REFORM IN  
 
3. Searching for two words using or:  kindergarten or preschool  
   returns one screen of items some referring to kindergarten some  
   preschool: 
 
           Search gopherspace at NYSERNet: kindergarten or preschool 
 
     --->  1.  Department of Preschool Education (organizationalUnit) 
           2.  (Networks) Kindergarten. Primary & Secondary School  
           3.  Preschool Director (OR). 
 
 
4. Literal word strings can be searched on some Veronica servers if they are put in double or single 
quotes: “reading and writing” will find  
 
          1.  Reading and Writing for fun and profit 
          2.  K-12 reading and writing practice 
 
but  not 
 
          1.  Reading Comprehension and writing skills 
 
 
After I get a list of titles, how can I get information about the location of the items I am interested in?  On 
most basic Gopher servers, the list of items serve as Gopher pointers themselves; pick the item of interest, 
press enter, and the Gopher server brings you that item from wherever in Gopherspace it is.  You do not 
really need to know the path to reach the file.  If you just want information on where the item is and its 
associated pathways, point to that item and type an = sign and you will get a screen like this: 
 
       # 
       Type=0 
       Name= About Computers, Freedom, Privacy and Education 
       Path=0/Course 1551s93 Gopher Space/Student Construction  
            Sites/mkvenich/ About Computers, Freedom, Privacy and  
            Education 
       Host=porpoise.oise.on.ca 
       Port=70 
       URL: gopher://porpoise.oise.on.ca:70/00/Course 1551s93 Gopher  
           Space/Student Construction Sites/mkvenich/ About Computers,  
           Freedom, Privacy and Education 
 
       Press RETURN to continue, m to mail, D to download, s to save, or  
       p to print: # 
 
 
Tips.  Veronica searches work best when you take time to construct a specific search string combining two 
or more words.  Remember you are searching titles only, not full text.  Remember that some Veronica 
software searches are always case-sensitive.  Try searching terms with and without capitalization to ensure 
a thorough search.    Look for ReadMe files for more specific information regarding the version of 
Veronica you are using at any given time.  Contact VUCC with any questions or problems you encounter. 
 
 
This guide was adapted from a handout produced at the University of Texas at Austin General Libraries. 
 
Prepared by Gary Parker, Education Library, Vanderbilt Univ. 
January 1994