Examines a number of searches dealing with the synthesis of organic compounds which the author performed on CA CONDENSATES and CASIA data bases (on DIALOG) at the request of users. Results show that a combined use provides the users with a more satisfying result even if the larger output contains some undesired citations. (JD)

Describes the automatic indexing project undertaken in 1978 to convert by means of a "bridge vocabulary" the terms in the ABI/INFORM database to index terms of a controlled vocabulary. Components of the bridge vocabulary are explained, and examples demonstrating the process of conversion are provided. (JD)

The first of two articles describes ArchiText, a software package that allows the use of maps and multipaned windows within hypertext systems. The second describes version 2.0 of Guide, a hypertext-type program designed to be used on IBM and IBM compatible microcomputers. (CLB)

Discusses methods of evaluating commercial online databases and provides examples that illustrate their hidden dimensions. Topics addressed include size, including the number of records or the number of titles; the number of years covered; and the frequency of updates. Comparisons of Readers' Guide Abstracts and Magazine Article Summaries are…

Reports on AV-ONLINE (file 46 on DIALOG), the database of the National Information Center for Educational Media (NICEM), which provides an index to annotated bibliographic descriptions of audiovisual materials of an educational or informational nature. Recent changes in the areas of record design, index vocabulary, coverage, and market are…

Provides descriptions of 14 databases that contain citations to audiovisual instructional materials: AGRICOLA, AVLINE, AVMARC, BIOETHICSLINE, CATLINE, CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, DRUG INFO, ERIC, EXCEPTIONAL CHILD EDUCATION RESOURCES (ECER), LIBCON, NICEM, NICSEM/NIMIS, NIMH, and OCLC. Information for each includes subject content, update frequency,…

Introduces the reader to the Food Science and Technology Abstracts, a data file that covers worldwide literature on human food commodities and aspects of food processing. Topics include scope, subject index, thesaurus, searching online, and abstracts; tables provide a comparison of ORBIT and DIALOG versions of the file. (JD)

Profiles the new bibliographic database devoted solely to scholarly articles of political science. Two "searchguides" compare the Lockheed/DIALOG and SDC/ORBIT versions of the file. (JD)

Describes the advantages, disadvantages, and special features of the SCISEARCH database. Topics include file content, journal selection, subject areas, companion files, major data base characteristics, users, and searching strategies; many sample searches and citations are provided, as well as a tabulated searchguide (1974 to present), and data…

Reviews ART MODERN, an on-line data base which provides comprehensive coverage of current worldwide literature on modern art and design since 1800. Areas described include scope, coverage, arrangement of printed and on-line indexes, characteristics of basic index and code searching; also search hints, search negotiation, searchguide, and data base…

This description of a study that monitored user selection of business and legal databases in EasyNet's multifile Scan option presents a ranked list of selected databases and discusses the effects of price, recommended database indicator, file record format, database name, and individual files on database selection. (Six references) (CLB)

Compares four full text periodical databases to one another and to traditional online databases in terms of the types of information available, the number of titles available, coverage of periodical contents, timeliness, and search features. (CLB)

The first of three articles describes the results of a survey that examined characteristics and responsibilities of help-desk personnel at major database and online services. The second provides guidelines to using such customer services, and the third lists help-desk numbers for online databases and systems. (CLB)

Examines three familiar humanities databases that do not have named person indexes and identifies strategies to facilitate both quick, precise searching and high recall for searches where the subject is a personal name. Descriptions of the databases, suggested search strategies, and sample searches are provided. (CDD)

This introduction to the nonbibliographic databases offered by the Dow Jones News/Retrieval Service describes file content and search strategies in four groups: Dow Jones Business and Economic News; Dow Jones Quotes (market prices for stocks and other securities); Financial and Investment Services; General News and Information Services. Examples…