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On March 27, 1994, I sent out the following TARGET inquiry: Subj: TARGET --> Comparison of available FACTS ON FILE CD-ROMs Has anyone previewed either or both of the available CD-ROM versions of _Facts On File_? Your opinions would be appreciated. Please include comparisions of the two if available. 1. _Facts On File_ available from Facts On File. 2. _Facts On File_ available from EBSCO Have any of you previewed/used some of the other CD-ROM titles available from EBSCO? They include: 1. _Masterplots_ 2. _Science....._ 3. Other? Have any of you previewed/used the new SIRS Government series CD-ROM? Have any of you previewed/used the government documents series from NEWSBANK? Does anyone know if the latest CD-ROM version of the _McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology_ is the same or an older version of the hardcopy edition currently in print? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I received the following replies [Note: Some of the replies were actually directed to another inquiry. Inasmuch as they seemed applicable, I've included them as well.] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From: IN%"MCCOY@starburst.uscolo.edu" 27-MAR-1994 15:39:51.76 Subj: EBSCO DATABASES >Dear Rita: Our media Center which seves 1200 students has several of the >CD-ROM databases from Ebsco including: Facts on File, MAS in full Text Elite, >and Masterplots. Of course MAS is used heavily, and my Language arts staff >are beginning to really like Masterplots in making assignments. They all use >the same search strategy so users or patrons do become familiar with them >quite fast. Facts-on-File uses the same searching mechanism but for some >reason students don't seem to use it as much. They prefer to go to printed >editions still... Our Facts-on-file goes from 1984 to 1992. I would like to >see the company bring out a training video much like they did with the print >version. All my CD-ROM databases are in a Cibis tower and are networked >to IBM computers in Media Center as well throughout the building. >I have just received the Science CD-ROM and will install it when I return >from Spring break. Don McCoy, > From: IN%"bknelson@csn.org" "Barbara N. Stover" 27-MAR-1994 16:10:09.10 Subj: RE: TARGET --> Comparison of available FACTS ON FILE CD-ROMs >Hi, Rita: We currently are running FACTS ON FILE on our CD-network and >really do like it. We received ours through EBSCO. It is the network >version; it has been problem free, and I would recommend it. > From: IN%"s_lochhead@mentor.unh.edu" 27-MAR-1994 19:08:19.27 Subj: RE: TARGET --> Comparison of available FACTS ON FILE CD-ROMs >The two FOF News Digest cds are identical. FOF sells directly, or through >EBSCO. Both use EBASO's search engine, as in MAS. > From: IN%"phooker@umd5.umd.edu" "Patricia Hooker" 27-MAR-1994 21:50:35.42 Subj: RE: TARGET --> Comparison of available FACTS ON FILE CD-ROMs >When I bought this 2 years ago Facts on File had hired EBSCO to do the CD >for them. I wasn't aware there are now two versions. Facts on File has >not been used nearly as much as our other CD's but I am beginning to >notice more use now that the network has been up for about 6 monts. >We own Masterplots and have been fairly pleased with it. Have used it >together with Discovering Authors for several assignments. Previewed >Survey of Science and found the graphics very unsophisticated and not >many of them. The Science Dept head and the supervisor of science from >the central office both looked at it and we decided it was not worth the >money. I don't think much time was spent developing the product--mostly >they just transferred the text to a CD. > We own the [SIRS] Govn't CD. It doesn't get nearly the use SIRS Researcher >does. I believe the addition of a subject index in the next version will >help. It's a product that is potentially useful but must be sold to >teachers more than SIRS Researcher. >We had hoped this was the multivolume Encyclopedia of Science and >Technologly, which it is not. It is just the one volume abbreviated guide >and not worth the money as far as we are concerned. From: VAXB::K12DZR "DIANE ROMM" 28-MAR-1994 19:19:45.44 Subj: RE: EBSCO : CD-ROMs >Dear Rita: > >I would recommend highly Magazine Article Summaries with Full Text (the Elite >Version). I also have Facts on File which I like very much. Middle Search >with Full Text also has a nice selection of magazines in full text. The rest >of the disks they sent us (with the exception of ERIC) were really too abstruse >for our high school students. > From: IN%"fpatton@llnj.ll.pbs.org" "Frances Patton" 28-MAR-1994 15:48:51.12 Subj: RE: Wilsondisc & NY Times >We have found Infotrac to work well because many of the articles are full >text. we have the TOM microfiche but you can use it as index to your print >periodicals. Kids love the software particulaly the expanded search. Have >just received MAS from Ebsco to preview and compare. > >Ken Ellis (ken.ellis@SHERIDANC.ON.CA) wrote: >: We have had good luck with Ebsco's Magazine Article Summaries full text >: select. From: IN%"steinber@RAVEN.CIS.NET" "Lorraine Steinberg" 28-MAR-1994 19:20:49.0 6 Subj: RE: Wilsondisc & NY Times >Just a note about CD-ROM data bases. We previewed and evaluated four >different companies' products, but none holds a candle to UMI's magazine >Express. (ProQuest) It is full VIEW which means it prints out the >magazine pages exactly as they first appeared - pictures, graphs, etc. >It costs no more than most of the others. You do, however, need a laser >printer connected with it, and two CD-ROM drives. Be sure to check it >out. You can get a 30-60 day free trial. I think you will love it. From: IN%"bbvschlib@shrsys.hslc.org" 29-MAR-1994 19:40:30.27 Subj: McGraw Hill Science >Dear Rita, > Quick comment about McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and >Technology. The CD version is NOT the 20 volume set but is based >on the Dictionary of Science and Technology and something else. >I looked into it last year. I decided to purchase the paper >20 vol. set. The CD is not at all the same. >Janet Johns From: IN%"0681wms@INFORMNS.K12.MN.US" "Winona Middle School" 29-MAR-1994 22:2 9: 53.33 Subj: RE: Help requested >We have info. finder on a Novell network; it is accessible in the media >center, the mac lab and one other school location. It is great to go into >the mac lab (which is some distance from the media center) and see kids >using it along with their Mac lab projects. We have used it for years >and even though we have other CD encyclopedias the kids prefer info. >finder, even over the multimedia ones. >We have had absolutely no technical problems. >I also like the feature of teaching Boolean searching, focusing in on a topic. >Mary Alice Anderson From: IN%"mcongre@EIS.CALSTATE.EDU" "Marge Congress" 29-MAR-1994 23:26:32.59 Subj: RE: Help requested >I feel that the Time Magazine Almanac is essential. You get full text of >articles from 1988 to the present, plus coverage of all presidential >elections since 1920, plus hundreds of videos of news events from Lenin >addressing the Russian people in 1917 to the LA riots. This is a very >good source with a few problems: the searching tools is not very good, >and you must print an entire article. In some cases, with retrosapective >articles, this could amount to over 20 pages. I print them and keep them >in my vertical file. I also recommend Grolier's Encyclopedia. > From: IN%"dianed@tenet.edu" "Diane Durbin" 30-MAR-1994 15:07:13.45 Subj: RE: TARGET --> Comparison of available FACTS ON FILE CD-ROMs >We use Masterplots II by EBSCO. It is also sold by Salem Press, and is >the same product. EBSCO produced it for Salem. I think the same is true >of Facts on File. I know that ais true for the Survey of Science from >EBSCO and Salem. We like Masterplots II. It is easy to use. The search >screens are similar to MAS. We did not have all the sets Masterplots >covers, and it was cheaper to buy CD than print. It does not include the >Masterplots Poetry or Critical Survey of Poetry. We will soon try out >the Survey of Science. It also has the same search screen. I like >having these EBSCO products with the same screens - students find it >comfortable. I have not seen Facts on File, but hear it is good. > -- ========================================================================= | "A Puppy's Lament" Rita Kaikow, Library Media Specialist | The world is so big Oceanside High School Library | And I am so small... 3160 Skillman Avenue | Without you beside me Oceanside, NY 11572 | I won't make it at all. [Phone: 516/678-7534] | ********** K12ockzr@VAXC.HOFSTRA.EDU | HAVE A HAPPY :-) =========================================================================