How about dispensing altogether with the basic/advanced dichotomy in a search interface?  Just create a well designed interface that's consistent and works well for all users.  The basic/advanced dichotomy is really quite arbitrary, and exists in the mind of the designer.

One thing that seems to be underappreciated these days is a straightforward and flexible search syntax.  A command line in the search field may be a much more elegant and consistent solution than trying to make all options available and visible in a GUI.  

Make the basic features of the search interface clear and easy to use, but design the interface in such a way that more advanced users can easily "discover" the features they need as they use it.  With this approach Basic and Advanced exist on a continuum.  There's a little learning curve but all users will have the motivation to learn to use the interface to the level that satisfies their needs, and in the long run probably find it much easier to use.

Peter

Peter Schlumpf
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http://www.avantilibrarysystems.com



-----Original Message-----
>From: "Walker, David" <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Nov 14, 2008 4:48 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [CODE4LIB] Good advanced search screens
>
>I'm working on an advanced search screen as part of our WorldCat API project.
>
>WorldCat has dozens of indexes and a ton of limiters.  So many, in fact, that it's rather daunting trying to design it all in a way that isn't just a big dump of fields and check boxes that only a cataloger could decipher.
>
>So I'm looking for examples of good advanced search screens (for bibliographic databases or otherwise) to gain some inspiration.  Thanks!
>
>--Dave
>
>==================
>David Walker
>Library Web Services Manager
>California State University
>http://xerxes.calstate.edu