Discusses political questions raised by the existence and growth potential of the online retrieval industry because it is privately owned and profit oriented. The user fee debate, information ownership, danger of manipulation, libraries as marketers, library action, and a library database consortium are highlighted. Seventeen references are cited.…

This paper proposes solutions to technical, copyright, and financial problems of downloading (storage in machine-readable form at user's site as result of searches in machine-readable file held on vendor's computer). Challenges of downloading--establishing ground rules, new pricing structure, new sales possibilities--are discussed. Six references…

Outlines major online agricultural information services--agricultural databases, databases with agricultural services, educational databases in agriculture--noting services provided, access to the database, and costs. Benefits of online agricultural database sources (availability of agricultural marketing, weather, commodity prices, management…

Discusses computer use in practice of trademark law by following adoption, filing, and prior use of the trademark "Aspen" (for a fruit juice drink). Databases searched to track previous use of mark, trace possible conflicts, and assist in their resolution are mentioned. Database chart and list of vendors is included. (EJS)

Addresses uses and benefits ERIC receives from MICROsearch, a program for searching downloaded portions of the ERIC database on floppy disks. Use of MICROsearch as a reference tool and for teaching online searching is described, and its limitations and benefits to the online industry are discussed. (MBR)

Discusses communications technologies now being refined for nationwide introduction to allow educational institutions to share their database resources at greatly accelerated speeds and with increasing ease. (JN)

Includes two reviews of computer software that may serve the speech communication professional: Fast Graphs and PC-File III. (PD)

Presents overview prepared by producer of database newly available in 1985 that covers six broad subject areas: genetic engineering and bioprocessing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology and instrumentation, agriculture, energy and environment, and food and beverages. Background, indexing, record format, use of BioBusiness, and 1986 enhancements…

Describes Earth Resources Observation System online database, which provides access to computerized images of Earth obtained via satellite. Highlights include retrieval system and commands, types of images, search strategies, other online functions, and interpretation of accessions. Satellite information, sources and samples of accessions, and…

Clemson University has developed an on-campus videotex system that was used in a one-way bulletin board application but is being expanded to provide two-way communications. A description of videotex and how it has been and will be used at Clemson is provided. (Author/MLW)

This article deals with problem created by numerous schemes in use for transliteration of Cyrillic alphabet when attempting to obtain retrieval of Russian author's works in scientific databases available through Dialog, Bibliographic Retrieval Services, and System Development Corporation. Highlights include basic strategy and complications of…

Suggestions for the preparation and use of database guide sheets (idiot sheets) highlights when to make an idiot sheet; steps in preparation (define suitable format, gather pertinent information); production; adding notations to vendor-supplied guide sheets; and points to remember. Examples of DIALOG and homemade guide sheets are included. (EJS)

Discusses what to look for when considering the purchase of a microcomputer. Also discusses the basic features of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software. (JN)

This paper discusses mimesis, the direct representation and total imitation of an event. It studies the co-occurrence of quotative verbs with mimetic enactment based on two corpora of U.S. American English, both available through the University of Pennsylvania Data Consortium. The Switchboard Corpus has 542 speakers ranging in age from 20-60 years…

This manual provides documentation and guidance for users of the public-use data file for PFI-NHES: 2003. This volume contains a description of the content and organization of the data file, including useful information regarding questionnaire items and the various derived variables found on the file. Appended are the public-use data file layout,…