This first installment of four-part "Online/Database Laserdisk Directory" reports on aspects of laserdisks including: product name; product description; company name; conpatibility information; type of laserdisk (compact disc read-only-memory, videodisk); software used; interface with magnetic media capability; conditions of usage;…

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;…

Explores the use of analog optical disks as a practical, cost effective means of building picture databases. Questions that should be asked to determine whether optical disk is a suitable picture storage alternative for a particular application are identified and three implementation issues--imaging, indexing, and integrating--are discussed. (CLB)

Discussion of CD-ROM and DVD (Digital Video Disk)-ROM covers CD-ROM software pricing and industry changes; CD-ROM drives; CD-recordable formats; DVD formats, hardware, and software; recordable DVD; and future issues, including standards, Windows 98, the DVD market, and compatibility. A sidebar lists Web sites with information on CD-ROM and…