Target -> Newsbank

["Gail M. Szeliga" <ny000999@MAIL.NYSER.NET>]

Responses to Newsbank inquiry:
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From: FLRESNIK@ECUVM.CIS.ECU.EDU

     We are now in our third year of subscribing to CDNEWSBANK, comprehensive,
originally on a stand alone unit, now on a network of . After the network was i
nitially set up, it took from 5 to 8 minutes to print an article.  After a netw
ork specialist made some changes (mapping to each computer is required, not a d
ifficult task), the print time was reduced to 3 or 4 minutes, which is acceptab
le.  However, I began to question whether to continue the subscription because
sometimes I feel that the use doesn't justify the expense and because I was
hopeful that Front Page News would supply the information just as easily albeit
in a less extensive mode.  After hearing the replies, I decided to continue NEW
SBANK.
     In the meantime, I found out that the company was offering the use of a mu
ltimedia computerworkstation to any school purchasing a new subscription (on a
rental basis this equipment costs $600 per year).  I called the company and
complained loudly and vigorously about new subscribers getting the free compute
r while we had paid the full price for three years without any enticement or
rebate.  Lo and behold, they agreed to send me a unit to use as long as I
continue to subscribe, and it's quite a system! - a computer with software prel
oaded, a Pioneer CD-ROM minichanger (holds 6 CD-ROM disks and works easily),
and a good, heavy duty Epson tractor feed printer, with an extra ribbon.
The printing of articles is almost instantaneous.  As a result, I will pro-
bably take NEWSBANK off of the network, use the company unit as a stand
alone and add other items to the network - Discovering Authors, perhaps
the new Exegy when the network version is available, and perhaps something in
science.
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From: "Barbara N. Stover" <bknelson@csn.org>

Hi, Gail.  We also have CD-NewsBank and NB Periodical
Index.  Would you share the responses you receive.
The NewBank newspaper information is invaluable.  We
are still comparing the periodical index to Infotrac
Tom.  There are things I like about both.  Hits seem
to be greater on TOM, however, I like the search format
better on NewsBank.
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From: Gloria McClanahan <mcclan@tenet.edu>

My thoughts on NewsBank Comprehensive--which we subscribe to--is that it
is overpriced and poorly organized.

I don't like having to search one year at a time with totally new
searches for each year. They were including the periodical index on the
same cd as NewsBank. That is irritating, too, as I do not like, do not
want that periodical index. I want the disc I pay for to contain
information I can use and search!!

I also worry about the fact that the articles are selected rather than
total access to news.

But we are still subscribing to it because it is used heavily by the kids
and it is updated monthly and those updates are usually on time.
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From: PUB_HOLPAT@midyork.lib.ny.us

I cannot say enough positive things about Newsbank! I have worked with this
company for three years. They have been most responsive to any problems -
excellent tech support, easy installs, etc. CD Newsbank is one of my most
heavily used stations - teachers and students alike love it for its currency
and content. Many articles are long and come from the wire service around the
world. Added bonus- your Spanish classes can use the Spancish version. Other
products - periodical index, Newsbank Plus and Popular Periodicals are great too
 although I will switch to MAS full text this year because our local tech suppor
 t
can put it on a network.

From: MOESHS@delphi.com

Please share the responses you refeive with the rest of us.
We do have CD Newsbank--a switch from NewsBank at the end of
the school year.  I haven't had too much time to sit down an
play around with it, but from what I have seen, it is much
better than NewsBank.  I was ready to cancel our NewsBank
subscription--poor indexing and searching tools; microfiche
was a hassel, etc.  You're right about CD Newsbank being
lots of $$--I would certainly consider something else if
it were available, but there doesn't seem to be very
many Newspaper indexes on CD available.  Did not care for
Facts on File.  So, anyway , for now I guess we'll stick
with NewsBank CD until somethiing bettwer comes along.

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From: Diane Durbin <dianed@tenet.edu>

I have used both CD-Newsbank and the Newsbank Periodical Index on CD
which directs you to the microfiche product.  They are totally different.
I would like to have them both, but don't.  The CD-Newsbank is much
easier to manage.  It does not cover as many newspapers.  However, it is
great for thorough coverage of the subjects it covers.  We have had
inservice from our representative, who pointed out some useful
features.  For instance, by using the Browse function you can see choose
a particular publication.  She went through the list of publications with
us, point out certain publications and particularly news services which
had good coverage of certain areas.  For instance, one news service has
lots of Asian coverage, so when kids need something on an Asian country
you can enter that source.  We had kids who had to environmental reports
on pollution in the Houston Ship Channel choose the Houston Chronicle as
their source, combining that with the other search terms.  Unfortunately,
I did not write down all the specialized coverage she told us about.
Kids use the browse function to look at subjects, too.  You have to
explain to kids what the lead paragraph is and why a search confined to
that is narrower than one that looks at all text.  It is amazing that
there are sometimes kids who say they don't know what the headline is!

Where I used to work, we had the complete Newsbank, including Names in
the News and Review of the Arts. Although the news coverage in microfiche
is broader, I don't miss that like I miss Names and Review.  Our kids
used that a lot. Names in the News was used constantly, also the sections
of Review that dealt popular TV and music.  If you have kids doing a lot
of reports in those areas,it is especially useful.  There is nothing in
the CD product that is remotely like that.  However, we always had a
problem with getting the fiche refiled.  It was also left all over the
place.  Sometimes a bunch of cards would be filed incorrectly and they
were lost and gone forever or until we finally got around to going
through the drawers card by card by card.  Student aides absolutely HATE
to file Newsbank.  There is no comparison in the management of the two.

The Spanish language on CD-Newsbank is a bonus.  Those are different
publications not found in the English.  Our ESL kids, as well as
Spanish-language classes, have found that useful.