Describes the products and services offered by the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), and how users can access this information. AskERIC, other ERIC gopher sites, the National Parent Information Network, ERIC listserv activity on the Internet, and ERIC's offerings on commercial online services are discussed. It also lists resources…

Discusses searching techniques in print indexes and describes the development of computer-assisted search (CAS) services and CD-ROM systems that focus on education. The ERIC database and other databases for education-related information are described, advantages of online searching are discussed, and the question of who should conduct the search…

Pricing strategies for subscriptions and licenses for CD-ROMs are different for single users and networks. The basic components of pricing strategies are charges for subscription, connect line, display/print, telecommunication, session rate, special commands, and special services. Highlights selected supplier pricing strategies for single users…

Describes characteristics of the online marketplace. Topics discussed include technology barriers; data ownership; markets for online services, including libraries and end users; marketing and promotion tactics, including exhibits and conferences, advertising, direct mail, and user groups; international marketing and service; strategic marketing…

Describes how to use the Internet to access commercial online database services, such as DIALOG, and discusses the advantages in terms of costs, reference services, and accessibility. Outlines in detail how to save a search session or link another terminal to a Telnet session, and provides information and Internet addresses for eight vendor…

Describes EasyNet, a gateway service that allows users access to over 900 databases. Use of EasyNet at the University of Richmond (Virginia) libraries is explained, search strategies are discussed, problems with the price structure are examined, and its use both as an end-user service and for mediated searching is described. (LRW)

Presents an analysis of information industry alliance formation using environmental scanning methods. Highlights include why libraries and academic institutions should be interested; a literature review; historical context; industry and market structures; commercial and academic models; trends; and implications for information providers,…

Detailed reviews of two legal information databases--"Laborlaw I" and "Legal Resource Index"--are presented in this paper. Each database review begins with a bibliographic entry listing the title; producer; vendor; cost per hour contact time; offline print cost per citation; time period covered; frequency of updates; and size…

With the advent of CD-ROMs, libraries began to limit online searching via DIALOG. To increase DIALOG's market share, Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries (CARL) Corporation is developing graphical user interfaces using World Wide Web and Windows technology and has reached agreements with Knight Ridder Information and with most of their database…

Discusses changes in the Internet that allow users easier access to multimedia materials. Topics include the client-server relationship; Internet Protocol; World Wide Web; commercial online services and Web access; Internet publishing; educational collaborations among classrooms, businesses, and research institutions; and examples from Virginia's…

Highlights key aspects of and issues related to the "Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998," a bill passed by the U.S. Senate on May 14, 1998. Discussion includes banning of black boxes (i.e., technological-protection measures such as tv signal scramblers), fair-use protection, identification of copyrighted works, protection for…

Copyright and other intellectual property issues have dominated discussions of legal issues surrounding the Internet. There are other issues of considerable importance that also attract attention. Five legal issues affecting the Internet are addressed: copyright, online service-provider liability, database protection, obscenity, and privacy. Cited…

Analyzes whether push technology is a threat or opportunity for online searchers. Outlines key functions of push technology products and defines key technology terms. Illustrates how the role of the online searcher changes with push technology. (AEF)

Reports results of a United Kingdom-based mail survey of database users, CD-ROM producers, and hosts to assess trends and views concerning documentation in machine-readable form. Cost, convenience, and ease of use of print manuals are cited as reasons for the reluctance to switch to machine-readable documentation. Sample surveys are included.…

Discusses the effects of Web-based electronic commerce, or "emmerce," on online user. Defines "cookies" and Persistent Client State HTTP Cookies or "magic cookies" on Macintosh computers. Examines underlying technologies that make up "cashless" transactions; growing demand for micropayments; CyberCash,…