This paper briefly discusses the kinds of programs online user groups (OUGs) provide to aid their members in keeping abreast of the new technology and new information in the online world. Four methods of program planning are discussed: (1) alternation of general topics and subject specific programs; (2) longer meeting programs with several tracks…

This paper focuses on the casual user's needs and problems in learning to search online retrieval systems. Such users are inclined to infrequent use, and are unlikely to have much interest or knowledge about the complexities of the system. The TRAINER program is designed to teach these users to search online, so that they may access information…

Trainee development, TRAINER programs, and dissemination strategies are treated in this summary of the TRAINER computer assisted learning program for scientists and other professionals who wish to do literature searches using online services. A discussion of TRAINER's rationale, design, constraints, and differing institutional implementations…