Patrick_A_Townson@cup.portal.com (09/11/88)
A recent correspondent discussed the use of microfiche directories in the library. An offering of Illinois Bell for about four years now has been "Directory Express", an online version of the 555-1212 service for the 312 area. I have very few details about it. I think they charge something like $100 per month for starters, which gets you a certain number of *hours* on the system each month. The service is mainly good for things like collection agencies, telephone sales organizations, and other firms making extensive use of directory assistance. I think Directory Express is only tariffed for business customers. You provide the modem and the terminal; Bell provides a password and account on the system. What you are doing is tapping the data base used by Directory Assistance operators. It is updated nightly about 3:00 AM. Patrick Townson
darrelj@samsun.sm.unisys.com (Darrel VanBuer) (09/17/88)
I recently called University Microfilms to enquire about a microfiche phone directory (as found in Libraries), but got good news and bad news: They wanted only $9 for a Sonoma county directory. They had a minimum order for $250 of directories. Pacific Bell sold me one (in paper, not fiche) for $12 or so delivered.