The experience of novice users searching SilverPlatter's ERIC CD-ROM on the Macintosh was studied. Ten students from an introductory master's level course in library and information science were recruited as volunteer subjects. Subjects were asked to complete a search on the ERIC CD-ROM; and data were collected via observations, a think-aloud protocol, and a questionnaire. Data were analyzed to describe and categorize the subjects' experience with the user interface. The standard Macintosh interface as implemented did not win over any users who began with a preference for IBM personal computers or compatibles. Experienced Macintosh users gave the product high marks, but users at all experience levels had problems with the interaction provided. Novice users expressed a need for more direction and clarity, and experienced users looked for a more direct way to conduct searches. The most apparent negative attitudes concerned the error messages provided. Four appendixes are included. Appendix A contains the coded tape transcripts. Appendix B is the interview script. The site software license agreement for the computerized Questionnaire for User Interface Satisfaction is presented in Appendix C, and a breakdown of coded events by searcher is presented in Appendix D. (Contains 23 references.) (SLD)