Until recently, the World Wide Web (WWW) public access search engines have not included many of the advanced commands, options, and features commonly available with the for-profit online database user interfaces, such as DIALOG. This study evaluates the features and characteristics common to both types of search interfaces, examines the Web search…

Reviews the historical development of online information in libraries, including computers, software, and networks. Highlights include quotes from leaders in the field; the end-user movement; commercial products from vendors; the spread of the Internet and its effects on online companies and searchers; options on the World Wide Web; and future…

Discussion of online databases and their hardware and software requirements, interactive search techniques, and costs focuses on information services of interest to higher education. Bibliographic, full-text, and online conferencing databases are described, menu-driven and command-driven information systems are explained, and modems are discussed.…

Describes the design and development of a prototype expert system called ONLINE-EXPERT that helps users select online databases and vendors that meet users' needs. Search strategies are discussed; knowledge acquisition and knowledge bases are described; and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a decision analysis technique that ranks databases,…

This digest presents a reprint of an article which examines management principles that should be considered when implementing library end user searching programs. A brief discussion of specific implementation issues includes needs assessment, hardware, software, training, budgeting, what systems to offer, publicity and marketing, policies and…

A national survey of 70 academic libraries was conducted in Fall 1985 to gain a greater understanding of how end-user search services are used, and to assist in their design and implementation. A 69% response rate was achieved. The objectives of the investigation were to gather information on the following factors: (1) types and formats of…

This document is a self-paced training packet developed for a pilot project at the University of Houston-University Park to teach art faculty members to do their own online searching. The training begins with general topics such as the kinds of searches that can be done most effectively online, the selection of appropriate databases to search, and…

This document is a self-paced training packet developed for a pilot project at the University of Houston-University Park to teach chemistry faculty members and research assistants to do their own online searching. The training begins with general topics such as the kinds of searches that can be done most effectively online, the selection of…

Discusses the use of databases for research by undergraduates in the standard freshman research paper course. Explains how students were introduced to database operations and uses. Discusses some perceived problems and enumerates benefits of this program. (AEM)

Twelve articles provide practical information for high school librarians computerizing their libraries, including suggestions for purchasing software and hardware, planning and managing a computer laboratory, and using computers for student instruction and for library procedures. A suggested basic software collection for the secondary library…

Competitor information gathering is a key aspect of business planning. Information can be collected from either published or unpublished sources. Unpublished information will often be verified based on material from published sources. Published information is more likely to be factual and includes financial, stockmarket, press, market and…

This continuation of an earlier article discusses online vendors' responses to users' concerns as well as the future of online services. Maxwell Online, Dialog, Mead Data, Data-Star, and Dow Jones News/Retrieval address user needs, search strategies, databases, document retrieval and display, user interface, and cost and economic issues. (LRW)

Describes some support programs and materials that facilitate preparation of an effective and inexpensive classroom program on online searching of the chemical literature. Presents more than 20 databases by type of database and subject area. Discusses practice files and overall cost. (MVL)

Considers the role of librarians in the networked information age. Topics include contributions of librarians to information technology, including bibliographic utilities, online database searching services, and public access to electronic information; future challenges, including controlling costs; considering community objectives; and the…

Numerous easily accessible databases cover almost every subject area in the humanities. The principal database resources in the humanities are described. There are two major database vendors for humanities information: BRS (Bibliographic Retrieval Services) and DIALOG Information Services, Inc. As an introduction to online searching, this article…