Discusses the growth in nonbibliographic online databases and machine-readable data files (MRDF) that are accessed offline, and considers how libraries need to respond to the changing needs and expectations of researchers. Textual and numeric databases are described, and three possible levels of library service are outlined. (13 references) (LRW)

Applies a prefix trie index, or trie hashing, to the problem of providing fast search times, fast load times, and fast update properties in a bibliographic or full-text retrieval system with inverted files. Statistics are given for a test database consisting of an online catalog at the University of Western Ontario. (Author/LRW)

The seven papers in these proceedings focus on the characteristics and potentials of non-bibliographic databases in the context of library and commercial networks. Following an introduction by Sandra K. Paul, this report presents the individual papers: (1) "User Perspectives and Requirements: Creator of Non-Bibliographic Databases Has To Share…

Describes the training and support offered to users upon the implementation of a corporate online text retrieval system, and offers insights from the experience. Areas discussed include training programs and objectives, user support services and support personnel, user documentation, database building, and performance evaluation and measurement.…

This paper describes online newsmedia databases which have been intentionally designed to respond to needs for information that is more current than the information in printed indexes or online versions of these indexes. It is suggested that these databases are useful to libraries because, in addition to subject indexing, they have "word…

Discusses the probabilistic nature of information retrieval, and describes a front end system designed to permit searchers to attach probabilistically interpreted weights to query terms, which could be adapted for conventional information retrieval systems without requiring radical changes in current indexing procedures. (37 references) (CLB)

Provides an overview of methods for improving the effectiveness of Boolean retrieval systems, including document clustering, relevance feedback, weighted term searching, ranked output, and fuzzy set theory. The discussion of experimental studies with the SMART and SIRE systems focuses on the implementation and results of these methods. (69…

Outlines the features and drawbacks of Wide Area Information Servers (WAIS). Praises the ease of use for end users and the variety of documents and other information available, but cautions users about searching problems resulting from the use of relevance ranking schemes. Calls for greater librarian involvement. (EA)

Lists 31 useful physics-related Internet sites to help physicists who are just starting to use the Internet. The sites are also useful in teaching or to assist students in doing research. Sites have a range of sponsors including physics organizations, government agencies, universities, and corporations. (PVD)

Discussion of online databases and their hardware and software requirements, interactive search techniques, and costs focuses on information services of interest to higher education. Bibliographic, full-text, and online conferencing databases are described, menu-driven and command-driven information systems are explained, and modems are discussed.…

Information extraction (IE) is the extraction and recording of information about a prespecified set of entities, relations, or events from natural language texts in structured representations called templates. This article provides an overview of IE from the 1960s to the present, discusses techniques, describes applications, and highlights future…

Examines the similarities, differences, and full-text features of the three most-used online systems for full-text searching in general libraries: DIALOG, Data-Star, and NEXIS. Overlapping databases, unique sources, search features, proximity operators, set building, language enhancement and word equivalencies, and display features are discussed.…

The European Patent Office (EPO) has recently implemented the last part of its ambitious automation project aimed at creating an automated search environment for approximately 1200 EPO patent search examiners. The examiners now have at their disposal an integrated set of tools offering a full range of functionalities from online searching, via…

Suggests ways to increase precision when searching full text files on BRS, Mead Data Central and DIALOG. All of the techniques are based on achieving repetition of central concepts as expressed in natural language. Schematic representations of strategies and sample searches on each of the three systems are provided. (10 references) (CLB)

Discusses full-text, online databases as a source for unowned documents. A test of the effectiveness of online document delivery services in meeting the needs of students and faculty at Stetson University (Florida) is described; and problems and alternative document delivery options are considered. (20 references) (KRN)