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This paper discusses some particularly desirable features of the user‐computer dialogue involved in query formulation in an on‐line information retrieval system. The methods used in the Culham RIOT II system, designed to give on‐line access to a data base of 25, 000–50, 000 references, are described. To facilitate query formulation a matrix technique is employed and the most recent titles may be displayed while the query statement is under construction and before a full search is requested.

The possibility of having access to all the world's literature from a single computer terminal stimulated the imagination of the research workers in the late' sixties. It was this goal and the fascination of the co‐operation between man and machine, that inspired the major changes that have taken place in Information Retrieval over the past ten years.

The present success of online retrieval is well known. The future is dependent on several factors including technological developments (computers, communications, terminals and storage), progress in information with science research, availability and use of funds for employing and coupling the available technology and the useful results of research, and finally the nontechnical exterior factors, such as political, psychological, legal and legislative constraints. Research is under way to pave the way for the development of transparent systems for retrieving references, facts and information contained in textual material. Such systems will greatly increase the useability of computer‐readable databases by professionals and laymen alike. Really significant changes will depend on research that progresses towards fact retrieval and ultimately towards knowledge retrieval.

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.

During the rest of this decade there will be substantial changes in the type of activities carried out by information workers, both as a result of improvements in technology to provide more effective information systems and also because the users of information will have more sophisticated requirements. Some of these changes are discussed below.

Brussels Free University Information and Documentation Science Department is implementing a documentary computer system, to be used as an in‐house cost‐free access, educational tool for its students. The online bibliographic search subsystem, called SERIDU, is based on a subset of the Euronet standard command language, which is being implemented by several DIANE hosts. A comparison is made of Euronet and of SERIDU commands, as well as of the data elements of Unisist Reference Manual and of the storage subsystems of the Department. A description is given of SERIDU commands, and is illustrated by a short sample session. The software is briefly described, as well as its present shortcomings and the future developments of the system, which might interest other library schools.

This review reports on the current state and the potential of tools and systems designed to aid online searching, referred to here as online searching aids. Intermediary mechanisms are examined in terms of the two stage model, i.e. end‐user, intermediary, ‘raw database’, and different forms of user — system interaction are discussed. The evolution of the terminology of online searching aids is presented with special emphasis on the expert/non‐expert division. Terms defined include gateways, front‐end systems, intermediary systems and post‐processing. The alternative configurations that such systems can have and the approaches to the design of the user interface are discussed. The review then analyses the functions of online searching aids, i.e. logon procedures, access to hosts, help features, search formulation, query reformulation, database selection, uploading, downloading and post‐processing. Costs are then briefly examined. The review concludes by looking at future trends following recent developments in computer science and elsewhere. Distributed expert based information systems (debis), the standard generalised mark‐up language (SGML), the client‐server model, object‐orientation and parallel processing are expected to influence, if they have not done so already, the design and implementation of future online searching aids.

On the basis that the platform for user equipment for the 1990s is reasonably predictable, the creation of a new generation of user interface facilities can be started. The Esprit project TOOTSI (Telematic Object Oriented Tools for Services Interfaces) has as its objective the creation of a toolkit for building user interfaces to business information services using the GUI paradigm. The project brings together a unique combination of companies, active in the provision of actual services to the information community. This paper will describe the results of the initial two years of work on TOOTSI covering the decision making on the application platform and the design of the elements which will make up the toolkit. A prediction of the actual services to be developed is also included.

This paper aims to discuss the history of online searching through the views of one of its pioneers.

The paper presents, and comments on, the recollections of Jim Hall, one of the earliest UK‐based operators of, and writers on, online retrieval systems.

The paper gives an account of the development of online searching in the UK during the 1960s and 1970s.

The paper presents the perspective of one of the pioneers of online searching.

The possibility of using the BOSS system with a controlled language thesaurus is discussed and the ways in which the system could be used for producing journal listings and for storing, indexing and retrieving diagrams and configurations are described.