This examination of the major pricing mechanisms in use by online services discusses the pros and cons of each, including connect hour, type charge, subscription charges, per search charges, computer resource charges, database resource charges, and combinations of above. Pricing practices at Mead Data Central are noted. (EJS)

A humorous account is given of a typical day at the San Mateo Educational Resources Center (SMERC), which provides information services to educators in 23 California Counties and parts of seven other states. (JPF)

Discusses the dual nature of EIPs (electronic information products), which display characteristics of both tangible products and intangible services. Differences between products, services, and EIPs are summarized in table form, and several advantages of and reasons for purchasing CD (compact disc) products are presented. (MES)

Proven public relations strategies for winning management support for information programs and services are discussed, including seeking a higher level of visibility for the library/information center, implementing a current awareness program, and starting an orientation program for new employees. A questionnaire for obtaining user feedback and…

Describes database produced by Thomson and Thomson and available on Dialog which contains over 700,000 records representing all active federal trademark registrations and applications for registrations filed in United States Patent and Trademark Office. A typical record, special features, database applications, learning to use TRADEMARKSCAN, and…

Examines the policies, services, and coverage of competing commercial databases which offer indexing of newspapers and magazines. (CWM)

Profiles of online services provided by VU/TEXT, which maintains market access to electronic newspaper databases, highlights scope (newspapers, business information, wire services and nonnewspaper regional information, encyclopedia); search techniques; strengths; and upcoming enhancements. Descriptions of 17 databases and sample searches are…

Of 25 databases available on both DIALOG and European Space Agency's Information Retrieval Service (ESA/IRS), five are less expensive on DIALOG by three price factors (online connect charges, online displays of citations, offline prints); five are less expensive on ESA/IRS; remaining 15 represent mixed bag (connect charges offset citation…

Discusses paragraph qualification, a search strategy used to retrieve information from computerized databases. Positive and negative paragraph qualification, after-the-fact qualification, multifile searching, and free text searching are described, using examples from the Bibliographic Retrieval Services (BRS)/Search System. (EJS)

Reports on educational information services developed by the Bibliographic Retrieval Services (BRS)/Education Service Group (ESG): School Practices Information Network (SPIN) and School Practices Information File (SPIF). Background and history of the services, a description of each service, and illustrative material are provided. (EJS)

Describes a technique for editing and formatting online database searches which provides the requestor/user with a clean finished and more readily understandable product. (CWM)

The Minneapolis Public Library and Information Center collected data in November, 1977 on the use of the machine assisted reference service (MARS) with no charge to the library patron. Results are reported in tabular form from responses to questionnaires completed by both patrons and searchers for data bases used, time, online charges, and percent…

The last installment in a three part series compares commands and features for accessing and manipulating the results obtained from the DIALOG and QUESTEL information systems. Highlights include enhancements to syntax and defaults, options for output arrangement and retrieval, reformatting of selected data, memory, unique features, and examples.…

Introduces search technique that professional searchers often use to start tracking down information regardless of topic. This technique involves using set of large databases that cover material because of format rather than subject. Databases reviewed include books/monographs, journals/magazines, reports, expertise, and full-text and Public…

Describes the requirements, data elements, functions and systems design for an online search log which maintains records of search services provided. (CWM)