Describes the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), a national information network in the field of education. Printed indexes are explained as well as online searching of the ERIC database. Online searching is emphasized, including search strategies, database vendors, cost considerations, gateway services, and CD-ROM versions. (LRW)

Profiles 25 database distribution and production companies, all of which responded to a 1997 survey with information on 54 separate online, Web-based, or CD-ROM systems. Highlights increased competition, distribution formats, Web versions versus local area networks, full-text delivery, and pricing policies. Tables present a sampling of customers…

The current president of the American Society for Information Science shares his observations about the information industry, identifying positive and negative trends, and discusses the role ASIS can play in the continuing growth of the industry. (Author/CLB)

Summarizes the issues relating to the impact of CD-ROM technology that were discussed at a conference of producers and publishers of databases and other information services. Topics discussed include production issues, copyrights, case studies of product development and marketing, and the relationship between primary and secondary information…

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)

Describes the European Information Market Observatory and its purpose of gathering and providing knowledge about the European electronic information services market. Topics include the supply and use of electronic information services, size of the market, structure and policy of market operators, and recent developments in new electronic…

Discusses development of digital optical discs and considers both positive and negative features of CD-ROM for information services. Topics discussed include microcomputer-based databases; cost effectiveness; online searching by users; new user populations; the status of information specialists; lack of standards; and future possibilities. (Five…

Formerly the "Directory of ERIC Information Service Providers," this directory lists 1,029 organizations that provide individuals with access to the ERIC database and related resources. It is designed to help users quickly locate organizations that offer ERIC resources and related services within a geographically short distance, and is…

Describes the WHDB (World Trade Database), an Austrian information service that provides worldwide commodity trade statistics. Results of a survey of available data sources that examined contents, user-friendliness, costs, retrieval language, service, and performance are presented; and online and CD-ROM databases are compared. (nine references)…

Examines issues related to CD-ROM services in libraries in developing countries, and focuses on planning, funding, hardware, software, database selection, installation, staff and user training, publicity, use policies and procedures, document non-availability, and evaluation. Recommends a partnership approach between library information systems,…

To increase availability of specialized databases and information services to national institutions, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) developed a CD-ROM prototype and mailed it to 267 sites in 80 countries. A follow-up questionnaire determined individual sites' CD-ROM holdings, other media offerings,…

Discusses the developers/development, maintainers, and users of the digital collection on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, produced by the International Nuclear Information System (INIS) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Sensitive to users in both developing and highly developed countries, this system provides closer linkage…

ERIC has evolved from a research database into a multi-faceted information system. At the heart of ERIC is the world's largest education database, providing abstracts of more than 850,000 journal articles and documents from a wide range of public and private sources. The system also features a variety of additional products and services designed…

In spite of some problems and difficulties, the Russian information market of professional CD-ROM products is developing actively. This paper describes and analyzes practical experience in distributing professional CD-ROM databases in the Russian market, and some of its characteristic features. Analysis has shown that among the main consumers of…

Description of the ERIC database covers suggested uses for teachers, students, parents, and researchers; information available in ERIC; how to access ERIC, including through the Internet; the AskERIC service that is available through the Internet; and steps for searching the database. A directory of ERIC clearinghouses is also included. (LRW)