ian (12/20/82)
The following is of general interest for those concerned with
access to microcomputer information. It is reproduced from the
newsletter ``Chronolog'' sent to account holders of the Dialog
information utility. Dialog is probably the world's largest
information utility, and is mostly used commercially by business
and library researchers. The newsletter contents ``are not
copyrighted and may be freely reproduced''. Contents of the
actual databases are copyright! For information on dialog
contact them at 3460 Hillview Ave, Palo Alto CA 94394.
Phone 800-227-1927, in CA 800-982-5838. In Canada, Micromedia,
144 Front W, Toronto M5J 2L7. 416-593-5211.
If you can't use any of these numbers, call direct at 415-858-2700.
I have no connection with Dialog (other than being an account
holder) but I think this stuff is interesting, especially the
second item. The `index to BYTE Magazine' which runs in each BYTE
December issue is a small subset of what's available online, in a
consolidated form, for interactive searching - I think that that's
potentially very useful.
---------- start of article excerpted from Chronolog ----------
011995
THE MICROCOMPUTER FILES ARE READY!
December 1982,
Two new files of interest to microcomputer and minicomputer users will be
ready for searching this month: INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE DATABASE (File 232)
and MICROCOMPUTER INDEX (File 233). Together these two files provide the
microcomputer and minicomputer user with: 1) Listings of available software
packages, and 2) An index to journal articles about microcomputer
applications.
INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE DATABASE (File 232)
The INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE DATABASE provides a comprehensive collection
of information about more than 10,000 computer programs (i.e., software)
specifically designed for use with microcomputers and minicomputers. With
this directory you can locate software packages that can help you handle
invoicing and billing procedures, automate scheduling, manage inventories,
provide performance statistical analysis, etc. Many of these programs are
prepared for specialized applications, e.g., medical, dental, educational,
scientific, and systems. For necessary diversion, listings of electronic
games are also included. The database is international in scope, including
listings of software programs for microcomputers and minicomputers that
have been made commercially available in many countries of the world. It
corresponds to two printed works: International Microcomputer Software
Directory and International Minicomputer Software Directory. The first of
these directories was given the seal of approval by the Professional
Software Programmers Association, a non-profit tax-exempt organization.
Each record in the INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE DATABASE includes basic data on
where to secure the item as well as an abstract about the intended purpose
of the software package. Items are indexed by type of compatible computer
(e.g., IBM-PC, PET, APPLE, TRS-80), operating system, and vendor. Other
specialized information unique to software products is also made available
for searching: ISPN (International Standard Program Number), Language
(i.e., computer language), Minimum Memory (in kilobytes and/or megabytes),
and Medium of distribution (e.g., disc size). A typical record from the
INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE DATABASE follows:
(EXAMPLE)
The INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE DATABASE is produced by Imprint Editions, Ltd.
DIALORDER service to order the software packages listed in the database is
also provided by Imprint Editions. The price of each item is given in the
online record. The enclosed ONESTOP Yellowsheet gives the terms and
conditions for ordering items from Imprint Editions via DIALORDER.
INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE DATABASE begins with about 10,000 records from
1980 to the present. The file will be updated monthly. The price for
searching will be $60 per connect hour and $.15 per full record PRINTed
offline. It will be added to the DIALINDEX category for computer science
(COMPSCI). A Bluesheet for File 232 is enclosed with this issue of the
CHRONOLOG.
The INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE DATABASE is available on the Classroom
Instruction Program.
MICROCOMPUTER INDEX
The MICROCOMPUTER INDEX (File 233) is a subject and abstract guide to
microcomputer articles from over 25 periodical sources such as Byte,
InfoWorld, Personal Computing, Interface Age, Creative Computing and
Softside. Included are general articles about the microcomputer world,
book reviews, software reviews, discussions of applications in various
milieu, descriptions of new computer products, etc. You can look here for
information about that new modem or printer you heard about, or to see if
someone has reviewed the software package that you are considering buying.
You can find articles with tips on debugging programs, special applications
for particular models of microcomputers, and even a little computer humor.
Records in MICROCOMPUTER INDEX include basic bibliographic data on each
article plus a short abstract, document type (e.g., Article, Column, Book
Review, Software Review), descriptors, identifiers, geographic location,
and language. Following is an example of a typical MICROCOMPUTER INDEX
record:
(EXAMPLE)
MICROCOMPUTER INDEX is produced by Microcomputer Information Services and
corresponds to the quarterly printed work of the same name. The file will
begin with about 12,000 records from 1980 to the present. It will be
updated monthly with about 700 new records per update. The price for
searching is $45 per connect hour and $.15 per full record PRINTed offline.
File 233 will be added to the DIALINDEX (File 411) category for computer
science (COMPSCI). A Bluesheet is enclosed with this issue of the
CHRONOLOG.
MICROCOMPUTER INDEX is available on the Classroom Instruction Program.
---------- end of article excerpted from Chronolog ----------
BTW the article was obtained from Dialog; the Chronolog newsletter
is kept online for searching, like any other database (~400 other
databases). They didn't type the examples in (guess they use scissors
and glue for that; they don't have troff's .so capabilities).
DIALORDER is their online ordering facility. Bluesheets
and Yellowsheets are `manual pages' describing file formats
and ordering services respectively.
Hope somebody finds this useful!
Ian Darwin, U of Toronto Computing Services