LM_NET: Library Media Networking
We have as many pros as cons for both sides of the issue. If you are
using a cd-tower on a network you have technical support issues
particulary with monthly updates. In our case getting technical support
is next to impossible (too many computers, too little staff, too little
training, too little time) CDs are also out of date for the current
topics by the time them come in the mail.
Online involves less technical support but if your equipment will not
support Netscape or the like, forget it. It is very difficult to search
if you only have text access. That really bugs me since the important
data on these products is the text and not the pictures. We have tried a
number of products online and experienced the same problems. Our best bet
is to win the lottery so that we can upgrade all the district's equipment
and then we would concentrate on online products.
Patty Vilello
Syracuse City School Library System
EMAIL: pattyv@freeside.scsd.k12.ny.us
Phone: 315 445-1648 Fax: 315 445-9341
On Fri, 24 Jan 1997, S. Peckham wrote:
> Purchasing full text periodical databases on-line or in CD-ROM format is
> an important issue we will all be considering. Right now with the free 4
> month access granted to Nebraska libraries this semester I have been
> attempting to compare the two approaches as the price with many of the
> databases is now pretty comparable. I have EBSCO MAS FULL TEXT ELITE on a
> networked fileserver and I have EBSCOhost online. EBSCOhost sound
> wonderful, 1000 full text articles updated daily and available on all the
> computers in the school.....but, so far, I find the access on line is much
> slower, the interface is not as easy for students to use, the print is
> more difficult to read, I have not had as successful of hits (using
> the same search strategy--I have no idea why??), and we have problems with
> printing from NETSCAPE. I had originally thought my File Server would be
> seeing it's last days and would only have the databases not offered
> on-line. But I'm not so sure anymore. The bugs have been worked out of the
> MAS CD and I think it is a terrific sources for students. I'll be
> comparing
> the two approaches with SIRS and see if I feel the same. What have others
> felt in comparing on-line with CD?
>
> %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
> Sarah Peckham. Marian High School
> 7400 Military Ave, Omaha, NE
> SPeckham@marian.creighton.edu
> 402-571-0619
> %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
>
>
> On Thu, 23 Jan 1997, Carlton Martz wrote:
>
> > In addition to Electric Library and Cognito, SIRS and Newsbank are going
> > online with periodical articles. For those libraries with Internet
> > access, is this the future for periodical resources? Or, do CD-ROM
> > indexes and full text periodical products have inherent advantages?
> > Carl Martz, Yucaipa High School, Yucaipa Ca
> >
>
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