This overview of 47 online sources for physics information available in the United States--including sub-field databases, transdisciplinary databases, and multidisciplinary databases-- notes content, print source, language, time coverage, and databank. Two discipline-specific databases (SPIN and PHYSICS BRIEFS) are also discussed. (EJS)

Describes the free advisory service available to both users and potential users of chemical and biological databases in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Three specific areas are discussed in which queries about Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Numbers have been received: isomers, replacing registry numbers, and mixed compounds. (JD)

The NIH-EPA Chemical Information System (CIS) provides facilities useful for the characterization and identification of chemical substances in industrial, academic, regulatory, and emergency response environments. It is comprised of a variety of data bases, retrieval programs, and related processing and display programs with on-line interactive…

This introduction to the nonbibliographic databases offered by the Dow Jones News/Retrieval Service describes file content and search strategies in four groups: Dow Jones Business and Economic News; Dow Jones Quotes (market prices for stocks and other securities); Financial and Investment Services; General News and Information Services. Examples…

Introduces the DOE/RECON online database system and the two energy files it serves: DOE Energy Data Base (EDB) and General and Practical Data Base (GAP). Topics discussed include how the system works, its similarities to DIALOG, and its present and future; database elements and subject categories are described. (JD)

Describes a computer-based information retrieval and electronic messaging system produced by Control Data Corporation now being used by government agencies and other organizations. Background of Local Government Information Network (LOGIN), database structure, types of LOGIN units, searching LOGIN (intersect, display, and list commands), and how…

Suggestions for the preparation and use of database guide sheets (idiot sheets) highlights when to make an idiot sheet; steps in preparation (define suitable format, gather pertinent information); production; adding notations to vendor-supplied guide sheets; and points to remember. Examples of DIALOG and homemade guide sheets are included. (EJS)

Provides an overview of the Dow Jones News/Retrieval Database, describing its scope, users, history and development, foreign news categories, problems, and searching hints. Also included are an example of a typical search, a tabulated searchguide, and the database specifications. (JD)

A comparison of the Magazine Index (MI) and the New York Times Information Bank (IB) showed the two data bases have little in common, mainly due to differences in focus, indexing, vocabulary, use online, and output. For business and government users, IB is the best choice; for more general and academic purposes, MI provides access to more…

Provides description of principal database sources for information on current events--newspaper indexes (e.g., INFORMATION BANK, VU/TEXT, NEWSPAPER INDEX); magazine databases (e.g., NEXIS-MAGS, MAGAZINE ASAP); wire service databases (e.g., NewsNet, WIRES, NEWS); and reference databases (encyclopedias, yearbooks, FACTS ON FILE). A list of the 37…

Description of bibliographic databank produced by the H. W. Wilson Company covers databases (bibliographical, directory, forthcoming); the WILSONLINE search system (search statement formulation, identifying search terms, other search features); print options; search management features; performance, documentation, and assistance; costs; and…

Describes Electronic Legislative Search System (ELSS), a comprehensive service which tracks current state and federal legislation and provides careful monitoring of status of bills in its database. Contents of the database, search criteria and priority, format options, learning to search, and updating the system are noted. Sample searches are…

Describes the Kodak Picture Exchange that includes a database of over 200,000 photographic images collected from 28 stock photography companies in the United States that allows the user to search for images by topic. Highlights include installing the software, alternative search strategies, costs, manipulating images, and rules governing the use…

Describes databases frequently used in Business Information Center, Cummins Engine Company (Columbus, Indiana): Dun and Bradstreet Business Information Report System, Newsearch, Dun and Bradstreet Market Identifiers, Trade and Industry Index, PTS PROMT, Bureau of Labor Statistics files, ABI/INFORM, Magazine Index, NEXIS, Dow Jones News/Retrieval.…

This second installment describes databases irregularly searched in the Business Information Center, Cummins Engine Company (Columbus, Indiana). Highlights include typical research topics (happenings among similar manufacturers); government topics (Department of Defense contracts); market and industry topics; corporate intelligence; and personnel,…