Reviews the best and worst in databases on disk, CD-ROM, and online, and offers judgments and observations on database characteristics. Two databases are praised and three are criticized. (Author/JMV)

In the first of three articles, the producer of Energyline, Energynet, and Tele/Scope recalls the development of the databases and database business strategies. The second describes the development of biomedical online databases, and the third discusses future developments, including full text databases, database producers as online host, and…

Discusses online search techniques that can be used to identify inaccuracies and inconsistencies in records of online and CD-ROM databases. Methods that can be used to sample a database for errors in descriptor, name, or coded fields are described, including browsing, matching, looking up cross-references, and searching for implausible record…

Describes how to find accurate, current information about telecommunications industries, products and services, rates and tariffs, and regulatory information using electronic information resources available from the private and public sectors. A sidebar article provides contact information for producers and service providers. (KRN)

Presents an overview and statistical profile of currently available CD-ROM databases. Trends in the following areas are discussed: types of databases available (index, source, reference, full text, numeric, software and images); subject areas covered by databases; update frequency; and pricing. A list of key publishers and software is provided.…

Discusses the results of a survey of commercial CD-ROM databases and compares them with previous annual surveys. Topics discussed include the rapid growth in number of available titles; types of databases; subject areas; hardware requirements; frequency of updates; prices; and CD-ROM's potential as a publishing medium. (seven references) (LRW)

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…

Review of developments in databases highlights a new emphasis on accessibility. Topics discussed include the internationalization of databases; databases that deal with finance, drugs, and toxic waste; access to public records, both personal and corporate; media online; reducing large files of data to smaller, more manageable files; and…

This comprehensive review of databanks and CD-ROMs worldwide dealing with patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, and related legal opinions includes comments on database coverage and search features. Comparison tables of vendors' products are provided. (22 references) (EA)

Examines electronic full-text literature available on the World Wide Web and on CD-ROM. Discusses authors and genres, electronic texts, and fees. Highlights Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and nature writing. Provides a bibliography of Web guides, specialized Shakespeare pages, and pages dealing with the Shakespeare authorship debate and secondary…

Predicts that online searching in the 1990s will be characterized by end users discovering faster and easier ways to access information. Predicted trends that are discussed include databases designed for end users, pricing innovations, increased use of CD-ROM products, improved computer graphics, and the expansion of database products into the…

Reviews six databases and CD-ROMs: Broadcast News, Bookshelf '95, All Music Guide (CompuServe), CD-ROM of CD-ROMs, Grolier Encyclopedia (CompuServe), and Magazine Database. (LRW)

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)

Discusses conversion projects that move information from one format to another. Planning considerations are discussed; types of conversion processes are described, including conversion between computers using software, cables, or networks; special conversions are examined, including CD-ROMs and online databases; and companies that specialize in…

Describes online resources that address environmental issues. Highlights include information sources on the Internet; electronic bulletin boards, including those from departments of the federal government; online databases; databases on diskette; CD-ROMs from government and commercial suppliers; and nonelectronic sources of information. (LRW)