Describes the changes scientific abstracting and indexing services are making to develop new production systems for a marketplace which is influenced by the information superhighway and the demand for information in an electronic format. Descriptions are included of computer system and data input changes implemented by several database producers…

This continuation of the previously published four part directory reports information on several additional laserdisk databases and provides updates on some of those included in the original listing. Included in the product descriptions are producers; compatibility; type of laserdisk; software; interface with magnetic media; conditions of usage;…

Reviews 30 new resources for environmental information, including databases produced by government agencies, universities, private organizations, and others; and Internet resources, including listserv discussion groups, databases accessed through gopher and World Wide Web, electronic journals, bulletin boards, online services, computer disks, and…

Descriptions and evaluations of 13 databases devoted to computer information are presented by type under four headings: bibliographic databases; daily news services; online computer magazines; and specialized computer industry databases. Information on database producers, starting date of file, update frequency, vendors, and prices is summarized…

Provides critical reviews of four online databases: (1) Quotations Database, available through DIALOG and CompuServe; (2) Consumer Reports, through Prodigy, CompuServe, and Nexis; (3) HealthNet, from CompuServe; and (4) encyclopedias through America Online, CompuServe, GEnie, and DELPHI. Special features of access techniques or content of the…

Compares three methods of data entry available to database producers--keyboarding, optical scanners, and electronic input--in terms of turnaround time, accuracy, and cost. It is concluded that, although the trend is toward electronic submission, all three methods will remain as viable options in the foreseeable future. (CLB)

Study of the newspapers in the United States that are available online and the populations of the cities where they are published shows that the 24 largest cities are well represented in online newspaper files and that 4 vendors provide access to varying numbers of these newspapers. Availability of newspapers on CD-ROM is also reviewed. (LAE)

Provides a guide to online search strategies for information about software packages and software reviews, including descriptions of appropriate databases and search access points for databases. (CLB)

Describes the general characteristics of Washington Electronic Bulletin Board Systems (WEBBS) used within federal agencies to disseminate data and software. Examples of six varieties of WEBBS (electronic mail, public announcement, electronic publishing, data oriented, library oriented, and subscription/membership) are discussed, as well as…

Updates an October 1987 article on full-text databases. Comparisons of numbers of titles online, types of full-text files, currency, multipart articles, selection criteria, completeness, and editorial policies demonstrates much improvement but shows many companies still do not include every article. A chart lists 13 full-text features of 10…

Discusses the usability and content of the following table of contents (TOC) databases selected by science and engineering librarians at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities: Current Contents on Diskette (CCoD), CARL Uncover2, Inside Information, and Contents1st. (AEF)

Considers electronic online access to newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. Legal factors discussed include license agreements and copyright; financial factors include royalties, pricing, and publisher priorities; and technological factors include keyed versus electronic copy, electronic delivery, graphics, telecommunications, and image-based…