Stresses the importance of teaching the skills necessary for students to understand computer communications, including microcomputer and remote computer commands; how to get information from human resources through a bulletin board service or information utility; and keyword searching and Boolean logic. (EM)

Nine leaders in the online industry look at its future. Highlights include the role of the online intermediary; user control; the information elite; the online industry in Europe; current library science students' attitudes towards online searching; barriers to information flow; personal information products; current trends; and educating online…

During the past 10 years, online searching has moved from libraries into homes and offices, creating a group called end-user searchers who access online databases and perform search operations for finding information for their own use. Probable increase in end-user searching has significant implications for vendors and for intermediaries. (25…

This excerpt from "The CD-ROM Handbook" (Desmarais, Meckler Corp., 1988) describes a variety of CD-ROM products with library applications. Highlights include cataloging services; acquisitions; public access catalogs; reference works; indexes and databases; and names and addresses of 30 vendors connected with the optical publishing…

Argues that, because of its meteoric entrance into the library marketplace, too few institutions have reviewed the implications of CD-ROM before making their purchases. Issues that need to be considered are discussed, including funding, costs, equipment requirements, optimal locations for workstations, security and viruses, human resources, user…

Identifies questions that school librarians considering retrospective conversion should ask to evaluate their catalog needs and questions to ask vendors about their conversion methods. Comparative data about various vendors and methods of retrospective conversion are provided, along with a list of vendor addresses. (CLB)

Describes workshops developed at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) library for faculty and graduate assistants to improve their understanding of library-based computer searching services. Bibliographic instruction is discussed; grant funding is described; the seminar format is explained; and responses to the workshops are…

In the first of three articles, the producer of Energyline, Energynet, and Tele/Scope recalls the development of the databases and database business strategies. The second describes the development of biomedical online databases, and the third discusses future developments, including full text databases, database producers as online host, and…

Discusses the benefits of mounting commercial and local databases to provide online access and describes the approach taken by the University of Pennsylvania. The issues discussed include database, local data file, and software selection; agreements with online vendors; cost effectiveness; and actual use of the online files at the university. (CLB)

Describes ways in which databases can be used in economics and business education classes. Explores arguments put forth by advocates for the use of databases in the classroom. Offers information on British software and discusses six online database systems listing the features of each. (KO)

Describes types of full-text databases in medicine; discusses features for searching full-text journal databases available through online vendors; reviews research on full-text databases in medicine; and describes the MEDLINE/Full-Text Research Project at the University of Missouri (Columbia) which investigated precision, recall, and relevancy.…

Outlines the basic options that schools and libraries have for accessing the Internet, focusing on four models: direct connection; dial access using SLIP/PPP (Serial Line Internet Protocol/Point-to-Point Protocol); dial-up using terminal emulation mode; and dial access through commercial online services. Discusses access option issues such as…

A school board member guides a tour of what is available for organizing school executives' schedules. Describes time-planner notebooks, computer software, and various academic and commercial online databases. Sidebars list the programs and products mentioned, discuss online services, and describe using a time-management planner in campaigning for…

Discusses three major consumer online services--America Online, CompuServe, and Prodigy. Topics include: Internet and Web browsers, alliances with cable and telephone companies, competition from Microsoft and other companies, and CD-ROM technology. A sidebar includes an interview with CompuServe's Barry F. Berkov. (JKP)

Reviews opportunities and market strategies for doing business on the Internet for businesses and customers in the information industry, and discusses uses of the Internet in the library and education field. Topics include: merchandising online electronic publishing; book sales; newspaper and periodical publishing; and selling products, computer…