Stresses the need for librarians and information specialists to have proper perceptions of the role and uses of online systems to solve information problems for individual patrons, and encourages them to be creative, outgoing, and resource-intensive specialists during demonstrations of online systems. (JPF)

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)

Describes planning of workshops for training online user groups including establishment of a committee, choice of theme and format, funding, and publicity arrangements. A list of do's and don't's is included. (RAA)

Problems involved in searching multiple data bases are discussed including indexing differences, overlap among data bases, variant spellings, and elimination of duplicate items from search output. Discussion focuses on CA Condensates, Inspec, and Metadex data bases. (J PF)

The need to search several files to obtain the maximum information on energy is emphasized. Energyline, APILIT, APIPAT, PIE News, TULSA, NTIS, and Chemical Abstracts Condensates files are described. (KP)

This article discusses some concepts of business information and surveys some online business data bases, notably the Predicasts data bases. Business applications of other categories of data bases are also discussed. (Author/KP)

Provides a chart showing differences (as of November 1979) in basic indexes for a number of databases that are available on two or more systems, such as DIALOG, ORBIT, and BRS. For each database, fields that are searched when a single unqualified search term is entered are listed. (Author/JD)

Part II of an article on DIALOG coverage of the social sciences and humanities; this part deals primarily with search techniques. (Author)

Describes computer program in Microsoft Basic which performs the following transformation and printout functions on downloaded files: removes field labels and citation numbers from file; removes search statements, error messages, and sign-off/billing output; allows operator to create headings; allows operator to view, delete, or print file from…

Examines the cost effectiveness of using DIALORDER, an online document ordering service provided by DIALOG. (FM)

Argues that online searching in terms of both recall and precision improves when search results are checked, and identifies many problems that a searcher should look out for. Numerous examples of printouts illustrate these problems. (JD)

This paper discusses patent information retrieval from online files in terms of types of questions, file contents, coverage, timeliness, and other file variations. CLAIMS, Derwent, WPI, APIPAT and Chemical Abstracts Service are described. (KP)

Twenty multiple-choice questions test basic knowledge of the Chemical Abstracts Service online database. (6 references) (MES)

Describes the services of Teltech, Inc., which mimic the desirable attributes of artificial intelligence and expert systems via a "database" of 5,000 experts in technical areas and interactive literature searches executed by staff. Advantages and shortcomings of the network are exemplified by sample searches. Several sample menus and…

Twenty multiple-choice questions test for basic knowledge of the AGRICOLA database on the regular, non end-user systems. (5 references) (MES)