The first of a series of five papers whose aim is to find a rational basis for indexing and some means to evaluate it. (Author)

Provides a systematic guide for evaluation and selection of an online service vendor. Topics briefly considered include the availability of selection aids, cost, online services, system search capabilities, training services, file documentation, and complimentary services. A selective listing of database directories is provided. (Author/JD)

Pollution of natural resources such as information is the result of inefficient use of those resources and misplacement of those resources after use. Information workers must make judgements or assign priorities to information to ensure its use to serve the cause of a humane rationality. (1 reference) (Author)

Information culled from the literature and from the author's experience on criteria for selecting on-line computerized bibliographic services covers user needs, hardware (terminals), transmission, system and vendor, data bases, search strategy and evaluation measures, and user-system interface. (LS)

NASA interviewed users of its scientific and technical information system in order to assess the usefulness of the present system and to find ways to make it more effective. Emphasis was on announcement and current awareness services, the publication program, and the interactive retrieval system. (Author/LS)