Examines growth in the number and size of exhibitors' booths at Online conferences from 1979 to 1986 to support notion that information has progressed from intrinsic knowledge to a commodity that is produced, marketed, and sold. Discussion covers downloading and specific successes and failures in the information marketplace. (EM)

The first of four articles describes the move by the European Space Agency to eliminate connect time charges on its online retrieval system. The remaining articles describe the pricing structure of DIALOG, compare the two pricing schemes, and discuss online pricing from the user's point of view. (CLB)

Discusses Dialog Information Service's lawsuit against the American Chemical Society (ACS) over online searching capabilities. Antitrust law is discussed, fair competition issues are raised, the user's point of view is considered, possible outcome scenarios are suggested, and a sidebar summarizes claims and counterclaims by Dialog, ACS, and…

Describes the current activities of 11 individuals who were prominent in the information industry at the time of Online Magazine's debut. Included are the founders of Congressional Information Service, New York Times Information Bank, Data Courier, Inc., Predicasts, Bibliographic Retrieval Services, Dialog, LEXIS and NEXIS. (EM)

Reviews some of the models used for pricing online information services and discusses some of the implications of these pricing algorithms. Topics discussed include online versus print pricing; charges for the retrieval process; charges for the retrieved information; telecommunications charges; and the pricing policies of Chemical Abstracts…

Detailed profiles and comparisons of European databanks being marketed in the United States include marketing strategies, subject content, number and types of databases offered, cost information, value added services, and more. Users' views of the viability, ease of use, and strengths and weaknesses of European databases are presented. (CLB)

Discusses natural language retrieval systems, focusing on West Publishing Company's WIN (Westlaw Is Natural) system used with its case law database. Information retrieval models, the advantages and disadvantages of natural language retrieval, and the use of the approach by Congressional Quarterly's Washington Alert, Personal Librarian, and other…

Compares the available databases, retrieval techniques and costs of traditional online searching of remote databases and local online access, i.e., databases available at the point of use via CD-ROMs or site licenses. The options and risks of local online access, and the possible impact on the database industry, are discussed. (CLB)

Examines the legal and ethical responsibilities of independent information professionals and describes a number of strategies to avoid being found liable for information malpractice. These include developing good client relations, contracts and disclaimers, competent performance, and insurance. A sidebar by John Rosenberg, discusses the issue of…