This manual provides information to aid home computer owners in performing literature searches of ERIC and other education and social science databases using the BRS Information Technologies "After Dark" system. Assuming some familiarity with printed ERIC indexes or online searches, this manual is divided into five chapters. It is suggested that potential searchers should study the first two chapters before going online. These chapters cover the basic concepts of developing a search strategy and the commands used by the BRS "After Dark" system. The third chapter disucsses various ways to modify the search strategy regarding the retrieval of too few or too many citations. The next chapter explains how to accomplish common types of non-subject searches: specific author, publications from a specific institution, speeches from a specific meeting, or certain types of publications. The final chapter provides basic information concerning other searchable databases: Educational Testing Service Test Collection; Exceptional Child Education Resources; Mental Measurement Yearbook; Psychological Abstracts; and Resources in Computer Education. Attachments include: Search Strategy Worksheet; ERIC Field Name and Abbreviations; "After Dark" Command Summary; Mandatory Level Descriptors; and Publication Type Codes. (PN)