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Basic Search

Enter Search Terms separated by spaces (see Hints below).

Hints:

  1. Use a space separator or "and" or "&" to make Search Terms required.
  2. Use "or" to make a Search Term optional.
  3. Use "not" to exclude a Search Term.
  4. Use "text string #10" (text in quotes) to search for exact text with spaces, numbers and special characters.
  5. Combine the above to form more complex searches.
  6. See Search / Basic Search / Using Basic Search from the Menu Bar for more hints.

Examples of Search Terms:

  1. GTE AE; GTE and AE; GTE&AE; Handset and G1
  2. GTE or AE
  3. Handset not G1
  4. "N-205 Mini Network"
  5. "Western Electric" or "Bell System"

Click "Search" to start the search.

Check the text beginning with "Assume..." that appears under the Search box to see how the search engine interpreted your search terms, and change the terms if needed.

If you get hundreds of results, try adding more search terms.

NOTE: Basic and Advanced searches currently may not find BSPs when numbers are entered with hyphens (e.g. 502-400-401). Try entering the number with spaces instead (e.g. 502 400 401) or use Google Search.  We hope this will behave better in future software releases.

New User?

Read the articles under "Introduction" in the black menu bar above.

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Thanks for new documents from Jim Hurtle, Ed Palazzo, Paul Fassbender, Bruce Patterson, Remco Enthoven, Jon Kolger, Paul Ivester, Len Hicken, Fred Haynes, Kurt Rudolph, Wade ("Kellogg KITT"), the Connections Museum, Rick Walsh, Jeff Lamb, Jeremy Walters, Alan David, Dennis Hock, and Tim Griffin.

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Hints for using the TCI Library

"Menu Bar" for site navigation.
Many menu choices are hidden until you mouse over words in the black Menu Bar (above).  If you want help getting started, see the links under the word "Introduction" in the Menu Bar.
 
The user interface is oriented toward the user’s choice to either Browse or Search for information.  The Browse the Library menu entry offers many quick links to move around the Library quickly.  Try it!

Three search options.
The Library’s keyword-based searches, called Basic Search and Advanced Search, accept keywords as short as 2 characters (WE, AE, etc.) and search strings up to 255 characters.  If you get more than 1,000 items, refine your search or try the Google Search option.
 
When selected from the Menu Bar, Google only searches for files in the TCI Library.
 
Library INBOX.
The INBOX may hold some files that have been submitted but not fully processed into the Library.  These are often topics of current discussion on the TCI Email Group. Items in the INBOX are not found using Basic or advanced searches, but ARE found by a Google Search.
 
Remember to check the INBOX if you don't find something with the other searches.
 
Finding BSPs.
Many BSPs are currently only identified by BSP number. If a text search doesn’t produce a BSP, try looking in one of the many BSP index documents to find a BSP number for the product you are researching just as you would do if referencing a paper library of the BSPs. Then enter the BSP number in the search box.
 
Finding CDs and SDs.
Some related CDs and SDs are filed in different areas. Try searching for just the numeric portion of the name.  Remember to check the INBOX if you don't find something with the Basic or Advanced searches -- or use the Google search.
 
Compact Category Listing.
When browsing, to change the category listing view from normal to compact, click on Browse the Library in the black menu bar.
 
To change from compact to normal view, click on Document Repository in the drop down under Browse the Library.

 

 

Telephone Collectors International was incorporated under the laws of the state of Kansas on May 13, 1986. The goal of the organization is "to educate the public, as well as the members of the Corporation, regarding the history of telephony, the value of old telephones and related items, their collectability and preservation; to research telephone history and publish and provide literature thereon; to promote the public exhibition of old telephones and related items; and to promote common courtesies and guidelines for use by the public." Telephone Collectors International is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization, to which U.S. tax deductible contributions can be made.