This directory of the major bibliographic databases that are offered by more than one vendor lists the producer, subject, vendor, maximum and minimum online charges, online hit charge, and offline print charge. The pricing systems of nine vendors are described. The directory appears every February and August in "Online Review." (EM)

The history of DIALOG, Mead Data Central, and other vendors of online business databases is surveyed to illustrate their use of classic business strategy by balancing consolidation of assets and differentiation of products. A discussion of pricing strategies is also included. (EM)

Analyzes data from quarterly surveys of vendors to determine revenues and usage of government databases and identify those receiving high revenues and high usage. It is concluded that the current decline in their market share is due to increasing numbers of databases from the private sector rather than actual usage. (EM)

Various approaches to training for online users are described, including training that is available through schools of library and information studies, database producers, consultants, professional associations, and employers. Training methods are discussed, and the trend toward the use of computer-assisted instruction is examined. (55 references)…