Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.ibd From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Computers & Automation Date: Wed, 4 Nov 92 12:45:02 EST Message-ID: <6.1992Nov4.124502@AmeriCast.com> 11/4/92 TITLE Computers & Automation Information At Your Fingertips: Where To Find On-Line Business Data Brian Deagon What started as a Defense Department computer project for mili- tary research 20 years ago has evolved into what is arguably the world's largest information network available to the public. Through the network, called Internet, users can access a vast ar- ray of information on topics ranging from agriculture and biotechnology to zymurgy, or the art of making fermented bever- ages like beer. Also available are reference books like the CIA World Factbook, State Department travel advisories, the Reader's Guide to Periodical Litera- Computers & Automation ture and guides to popular culture. "With this technology, we're just starting to see the transition of electronic communications going from keeping one person in touch with another to becoming an essential part of business communication," said Mary Riendeau, vice president of information services at Software Tool & Die Inc., a Brookline, Mass.- based company that provides customers access to Internet. Connecting to Internet is just one of many possible ways to access information electronically. Hundreds of vendors provide access to thousands of electronic databases. Some vendors offer very specialized information on medicine or law, while others function as database warehouses providing access to a broad spectrum of information worldwide. The two largest sources in the private sector are CompuServe, a Columbus, Ohio, unit of H&R Block Inc., and Prodigy Services Co., a White Plains, N.Y., venture between International Business Machines Corp. and Sears, Roebuck & Co. The estimated three million users of Com- puServe and Prodigy can access industry and investment news, business and financial reports, travel information, weather and sports reports, and other types of information. Internet has al- most four million users. For scientific, technical and profes- sional information, users frequently tap into the Lexis/Nexis in- formation source provided by Mead Data Central Inc. of Dayton, Ohio. Similar information is available from Dialog Information Services Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif. The Small Business Adminis- tration in Washington recently started SBA ON-Line, which has 41 toll-free phone lines available so computer users can access pro- gram information. Congressional news from Washington is available through Congressional Quarterly Inc. In addition to accessing data, users can send electronic messages to others connected to the network or leave queries on a help line for other interested parties to read and answer. About all that's needed to access on-line information services is a desktop computer, modem, communications software, some refer- ence books and willingness to learn. Recommended books include "Business Online: The Professional's Guide to Electronic Informa- tion Sources," by Jean M. Scanlan (John Wiley & Sons, 1989); "The Whole Internet User's Guide & Catalog," by Ed Krol (O'Reilly & Associates, 1992); and "Manual of On-line Search Strategies, Second Edition," by C.J. Armstrong (G.K. Hall, 1992). The rea- sons to investigate these resources are many. Users will need to decide which of the five common types of telephone service lines to use, which of the many on-line service providers to choose, and what types of database networks to tap. Some on-line ser- vices require communication in "computerese," noted Mary Ellen Bates, an information consultant and director of information ser- vices at History Associates Inc. in Rockville, Md. A scan for articles on American Telephone & Telegraph Co. might be typed as ..S (AT ADJ T), while a request to print the articles might be typed ..CP 1 ALL/DOC=1,4. To send electronic mail on Internet, a user might need to address the message to a party known as 129.331.26.7. Moreover, misspelled words can doom a request since the systems do not correct spelling errors. Many vendors will provide free trial offers, which allow users the opportunity to determine ease of use, timeliness and accuracy of information, adequacy of technical support service and cost. The fees charged by information providers vary. Prodigy charges a $50 subscription sign-up fee, then $14.95 monthly plus some charges for optional services. Some services such as Internet only charge about $5 a month and about $5 for each hour of use. Often, there are charges for every article viewed or printed, and users will have to pay the usual phone company charges. Hence, a casual browse can be costly to the unfamiliar user. Nonetheless, many users find that costs for on-line services are relatively low compared to the cost of services they replace. Electronic databases offer several advantages over traditional library reference sources. Information is available on demand, 24 hours a day. Queries can be customized to fit precise needs. Printing a series of articles from a database takes much less time than lo- cating the same articles at a library and photocopying each one. Many businesses also have established their own database ser- vices. The Information Industry Association in Washington represents several hundred companies involved in the distribution of information. Computer manufacturers, for example, usually pro- vide toll-free numbers to customers, who can call to get informa- tion on their systems or even get free software upgrades. This article is copyright 1992 Investors Business Daily. Redis- tribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM