Discusses how the "dot-com" swoon meant that many institutions never took online purchasing seriously, but that some are now seeing significant savings through the practice. (EV)

Explains how a student put together a web site about games that has grown to more than 80 files that have been visited by more than 100,000 users. (TB)

This paper provides an overview of cataloging in the 20th century. Highlights include: (1) issues in 1901, including the emerging cooperative cataloging system and the work of Charles Ammi Cutter; (2) the 1908 code, i.e., "Catalog Rules: Author and Title Entries," published in British and American editions; (3) the Vatican rules, a code…

Explains digital object identifier (DOI) which was developed to facilitate digital commerce by maintaining persistent links to the rights holder of a digital object. Topics include uniform resource locators (URLs); uniform resource names (URNs); and Handle System software. (Author/LRW)

Applying a body of theory and empirical research in the study of customer loyalty drivers in the services sector, this paper sets out a number of marketing and Web site design implications for e-retailers. It then suggests several means by which e-retailers can manage customer perceptions to increase sales and develop greater customer loyalty.…

States that 30 million people currently access the Internet, the international electronic superhighway linking thousands of individual computer networks. Offers information about terms used on the Internet; accessing the World Wide Web; language arts, writing, and literacy resources available on the Web; and educational sites, specific databases,…

Using ThirdAge.com as an example, guidelines are presented for building online communities. Considerations include culture, archiving, traditions, interaction with experts, information needs, and community purpose. (JOW)

Although the availability of free information on the World Wide Web has placed traditional, fee-based proprietary online services on the defensive, most major online business services are now on the Web. Highlights several business information providers: Profound, NewsNet and ProQuest Direct, Dow Jones and Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition,…

Describes Web versions of online systems and considers advantages and trade-offs for information professionals and other searchers. Web versions highlighted include Dow Jones Interactive; Dialog; LEXIS-NEXIS; and STN. (LRW)

Investigates the need for mechanisms for charging by digital libraries and other providers of online content, in particular for micropayments, i.e., charging for small amounts. The SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and SET (Secure Electronic Transactions) protocols for charge card payments and the MiniPay micropayment mechanism for charging small amounts…

Discusses e-procurement in higher education, an integrated system of services and Web technologies providing electronic bridges between buyers and sellers. Addresses its benefits, potential obstacles, early implementation lessons, and getting started. Includes a sidebar of definitions relevant to e-procurement. (EV)

Discusses the effects of the Web on marketing practices. Introduces the concept and theory of relationship marketing. The relationship network concept, which typically is only applied to the business-to-business market, is discussed within the business-to-consumer market, and a new relationship-building model for the Web marketplace is proposed.…

This paper discusses the results of a study comparing the psychometric qualities of two forms of a survey, one administered in paper-and-pencil format and the other administered in Web format. The survey addressed the topic of college course anxiety and was used to survey a sample of undergraduate students (n=36). The psychometric qualities…

Describes a study that investigated users' perceptions of ease of use versus user control in Web-based online information retrieval (IR) systems. Discusses desired features and functionalities as well as desired interface structures that support both ease of use and user control. (Author/LRW)

Compares three Web-based online reference services that are described as a cross between a traditional database service and a Web search engine: Ask Jeeves (http://www.ask.com), The Electric Library (http://www.elibrary.com), and Information Please (http://www.infoplease.com). Concludes that each has strengths and weaknesses and aren't directly…