Search results

This paper compares and contrasts online searching on DataStar, a major European host now owned by The Dialog Corporation, using the “Classic” command language, with access via the more recent Web interface. DataStar, established in 1981, was one of the first online hosts to offer a web interface, in December 1996. DataStar Web was upgraded in December 1997. “Classic” DataStar command line searching requires familiarity with commands, operators, database labels, etc. DataStar Web offers searching via apparently simple steps: eg. selecting a database, entering search terms. The functionality of the two interfaces is considered, looking in turn at entering the system, selecting a database, searching, output and display, terminating the search session, error messages and help pages, and support, training and documentation. The search functionality of the two interfaces is not identical, although both use the same retrieval software and access the same databases. Many of the differences affect retrieval effectiveness and may trip up novice and experienced searchers alike.

This is the eleventh article on business and law (BSL) databases in a continuing series of articles summarizing and commenting on new database products. Two companion articles, one covering science, technology, and, medicine (STM) appeared in Online & CD‐ROM Review vol. 22, no. 2 and the other covering social science, humanities, news, and general (SSH) appears here in Online & CD‐ROM Review vol. 22, no. 3. The articles are based on the newly appearing database products in the Gale Directory of Databases. The Gale Directory of Databases (GDD) was created in January 1993 by merging Computer‐Readable Databases: A Directory and Data Sourcebook (CRD)together with the Directory of Online Databases (DOD) and the Directory of Portable Databases (DPD).

Discusses the possible information implications for the 12 member nations of the EC involving the removal of barriers between the countries. Looks particularly at how technology will operate for all information services. Examines the various European services and their functions, closes with listings of the major ones and relevant contacts.

This is the eleventh article on science, technology, and medicine (STM) databases in a continuing series of articles summarizing and commenting on new database products. Two companion articles, one covering social sciences, humanities, news, and general (SSH) (Online & CDROM Review, vol. 22, no.3) and the other covering business and law (BSL) (Online & CDROM Review, vol. 22, no. 3) will appear in the next issue of this journal. These articles are based on the newly appearing database products in the Gale Directory of Databases. The Gale Directory of Databases (GDD) was created in January 1993 by merging Computer‐Readable Databases: A Directory and Data Sourcebook (CRD) together with the Directory of Online Databases (DOD) and the Directory of Portable Databases (DPD).

Outlines new database products appearing in the Gale Directory of Databases, a two‐volume work published twice a year. Provides figures for the distribution and percentage of new and newly implemeted business and law databases, together with a list of the databases including name, vendor and medium. Briefly discusses these by each medium.

This is the seventh article on business and law (BSL) databases in a continuing series of articles summarising and commenting on new database products. It has two companion articles: one covering science, technology and medicine (STM) appeared in Online & CDROM Review vol. 20, no. 1 and the other covering social science, humanities, news and general (SSH) appeared in Online & CDROM Review vol. 20, no. 2. The articles are based on the newly appearing database products in the Gale Directory of Databases. The Gale Directory of Databases (GDD) was created in January 1993 by merging Computer‐Readable Databases: A Directory and Data Sourcebook (CRD) together with the Directory of Online Databases (DOD) and the Directory of Portable Databases (DPD).

Increasingly, services that were the preserve of the “traditional” library are being made more available to the end‐user. Many information suppliers are specifically targeting end‐users and offering them direct document access, retrieval and delivery. Where does this leave the information service? This paper outlines some recent developments in end‐user document supply and discusses advantages and disadvantages from both the user’s and the information professional’s point of view, relating in particular to the situation in the author’s own library. A number of services offering end‐user document supply are described. The changing role of the information professional in response to new developments is discussed and a compromise solution proposed whereby new technologies can be harnessed for end‐user benefit while at the same time still employing the added‐value that an information service can offer.

Future historians, using the documentary evidence remaining, might well be excused for believing that online searching was a major activity in libraries and information services in the 1970s and 80s. The publication of several professional journals and the proceedings of regular, well‐attended conferences entirely devoted to the topic would suggest such a conclusion. In reality, the growth of online use in the publicly‐funded sector has been small, as can be judged by the relatively low levels of expenditure involved. For public libraries it has been estimated that spending on online services has been of the order of 0.1% of the total budgets. The average online expenditure of British universities has been about what it costs to employ one member of secretarial staff each.

In this section the different types of information source which constitute the management literature are allocated to categories according to their broad function. Within the four categories — tertiary, secondary and primary sources and research in progress, each type of information source will be looked at in terms of the information it supplies and the role it can play in literature searching.