Database publishers have good reason to fear the potential effects of migration from the use of printed services to the use of online services. This paper examines the economics…
Abstract
Database publishers have good reason to fear the potential effects of migration from the use of printed services to the use of online services. This paper examines the economics of publishing information services and the effects of migration on profitability. It also points out the likely increasing frequency of experimentation with other than connect‐time charging for online access and three factors other than migration that are important considerations in pricing decisions.
The Polytechnic of Central London in England has been given a two‐year government grant to set up an Information Technology Centre at its Regent Street site to put on public…
Abstract
The Polytechnic of Central London in England has been given a two‐year government grant to set up an Information Technology Centre at its Regent Street site to put on public display some of the equipment and services now available. A permanent exhibition includes terminal and telecommunications equipment and a range of library and information services including viewdata, circulation and cataloguing systems. The centre was opened on the 17th November by the Minister for the Arts, the Rt. Hon. Paul Channon, MP.
Library managers are becoming increasingly concerned about document delivery systems because the means to identify and locate materials has improved faster than the ability to…
Abstract
Library managers are becoming increasingly concerned about document delivery systems because the means to identify and locate materials has improved faster than the ability to provide the materials and because a cut‐back in library budgets is forcing libraries to borrow or obtain more material from other sources. A new SPEC kit (no. 82, March 1982) has been produced on document delivery systems in use in the Association of Research Libraries. The September 1981 survey covered two categories of service: internal delivery — disseminating locally‐owned materials to users, and external delivery — acquiring materials from an outside source for local users. Some ninety ARL libraries responded to the survey by providing materials and information describing the methods they employ. These include telefax, requests via electronic mail and OCLC's interlibrary loan subsystem and online ordering from data‐bases. SPEC kit #82 contains twenty‐six documents, (101 pages) and is available for $15 (prepaid) from Systems and Procedures Exchange Center, OMS/ARL, 1527 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington DC 20036, USA.
NETWORKS Nordic packet switched network. The Nordic PTTs have established a packet‐switching service with nodes in Stockholm (Databas 300/1200) and Oslo (Norpak). Multiplexors in…
Abstract
NETWORKS Nordic packet switched network. The Nordic PTTs have established a packet‐switching service with nodes in Stockholm (Databas 300/1200) and Oslo (Norpak). Multiplexors in Copenhagen and Helsinki are connected to Databas 300/1200 and connections are also possible to North America using the Swedish node. The previous SCANNET node computers now function as front‐end processors. Authorization to use SCANNET is given by the various Scandinavian PTTs and a new logon procedure is employed. The tariffs are composed of four parts — an initial charge for new users; a quarterly charge; a connection per minute charge; and a charge for the transmission of 10 segments.
Open AgriStar demo centres in 5,500 radio shack stores. AgriStar, the online electronic information bank for agriculture, is now being demonstrated and sold through more than…
Abstract
Open AgriStar demo centres in 5,500 radio shack stores. AgriStar, the online electronic information bank for agriculture, is now being demonstrated and sold through more than 5,500 Radio Shack computer centres, stores, and dealerships across the nation.
In the early days of the electronic publishing business, when a customer called a database producer, the person who answered the telephone probably invented and used the product…
Abstract
In the early days of the electronic publishing business, when a customer called a database producer, the person who answered the telephone probably invented and used the product. Believers and zealots were they. The first online searchers also had an evangelical spirit. It was a heavenly time: online was service. It was adventure. People cared.
A survey of abstracting and indexing services was conducted to determine the extent to which they have detected an impact of online availability on the subscriptions to their…
Abstract
A survey of abstracting and indexing services was conducted to determine the extent to which they have detected an impact of online availability on the subscriptions to their printed publications. The picture that emerged showed that various types of printed publications were affected differently, that there has been 2–5% annual attrition in subscriptions to printed publications over the past five years but it is not related solely nor primarily to the availability of online databases, and, that the evolution of online databases and printed publications as separate and distinct entities is accelerating.
In the US, winning is something of an obsession. Al Neuharth, a modern Machiavelli, built USA Today in the face of the skepticism of fellow publishers, money men, and consultancy…
Abstract
In the US, winning is something of an obsession. Al Neuharth, a modern Machiavelli, built USA Today in the face of the skepticism of fellow publishers, money men, and consultancy slickies. His ‘I told you so’ is a book of secrets called Confessions of an SOB. The SOB, purchasers soon discover, is Mr Neuharth.
Mary M. Nash and P.W. Williams
Lockheed to add Foreign Trade Index and The Philosophers Index; installs new computer. Lockheed Information Systems continues to announce plans for database additions at a rapid…
Abstract
Lockheed to add Foreign Trade Index and The Philosophers Index; installs new computer. Lockheed Information Systems continues to announce plans for database additions at a rapid rate. This time two somewhat unusual databases are being scheduled for introduction early in the spring of 1979.
VINE is produced at least four times a year with the object of providing up‐to‐date news of work being done in the automation of library housekeeping processes, principally in the…
Abstract
VINE is produced at least four times a year with the object of providing up‐to‐date news of work being done in the automation of library housekeeping processes, principally in the UK. It is edited and substantially written by Tony McSean, Information Officer for Library Automation based in Southampton University Library and supported by a grant from the British Library Research and Development Department. Copyright for VINE articles rests with the British Library Board, but opinions expressed in VINE do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the British Library. The subscription to VINE is £10 per year and the subscription period runs from January to December.