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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?

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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.
>

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