Library Technology Guides

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Volume 10 Number 08 (August 1990)

CD-ROM update electronic data bases

While computers are used in most aspects of publishing today, the typical ''publication'' continues to be a printed monograph, journal, or newspaper. The major exception has been indexes and abstracts, which began to become available on magnetic tape as long as 30 years ago.

However, mounting magnetic tapes of large data files on computers and searching against them is expensive. Most of the centers in major academic institutions in North America discontinued the practice in the 1980s because most files were not used enough to justify their cost. Instead, the users were encouraged to rely on online access through a data base service such as Dialog, BRS or any one of several others. Not only was the use of such a broker more cost effective, but training and other support were available.

Since its formation in 1972 Dialog has grown to a 24-hour service offering access to 350 data bases consisting of more than 200 million records. While usually less expensive than mounting files on a local mainframe, the cost of searches often exceed $100 per hour. Since an unskilled searcher can escalate a search into an hour that a skilled searcher could do in ten minutes, most online searching in the past few years has been by skilled intermediaries (usually librarians), rather than the end-user. There usually has been a charge-back, at least for data base charges, connect time, and off-line printing. This has limited the availability of the service to those who could afford to pay for it.

For the past decade several data base producers have been seeking ways to deliver their service to the end user without using a data base broker such as Dialog. By doing so the data base producers could avoid sharing the revenue with the broker, and possibly reduce the price and thereby expand the market. For a while, digitally encoded videodisc appeared to be the most appropriate distribution medium. A number of data bases were distributed on videodisc for two or more years. However, the high costs of mastering and replicating the discs, and the cost of the disc players, led to an investigation of other technologies. In 1983 attention turned to CD-ROM, a technology introduced just a year earlier; by 1985 a few publications on CD-ROM began to appear.

Libraries also have been looking for ways to gain control of the open-ended costs associated with providing access to computer-readable information. The motivation has been not so much the lowering of costs but rather the controlling of costs, the ability to set a fixed budget at the beginning of a year and meet all demands without exceeding that budget while continuing to provide data base services at no charge to the user beyond tuition and/ or tax payments. CD-ROM technology appears to be one solution because it offers high capacity at moderate cost. Data base Producers have been persuaded to offer their services in this format. By the end of 1989 there were over 400 commercially marketed products, up by 60 percent over the previous year and the number of installed CD-ROM drives exceeded 375,000, an increase of more than 102 percent over 1988. (However, a large majority of these drives are used with inhouse CD-ROMs produced by large companies.) The increasing maturity of CD-ROM technology as a publication medium is evidenced by the fact that a committee of the National Information Standards Organization (part of the American National Standards Institute) is developing standards for CD-ROM bibliographic citations. The committee, NISO SCTT, will define the content and format of publisher, data preparer, copyright, abstract, and bibliographic file identifiers. The committee also will consider standards for data elements on disk labels and packaging. The standards will expand on the International Standards Organization's 9660 volume and File Structure Standard, which formalized byte requirements and disk addresses for bibliographic elements. The standard is more commonly known as the "High Sierra' format.

The professional literature reports a high level of enthusiasm among patrons, but mixed feelings on the part of staff. The users like the power of computer-based searching without the costs associated with online searching. Those who have had experience with BRS After Dark, the on-line service most often made available to end users, consider CD-ROM searching to be much easier. This is in large part attributable to the superior user interface that working in a PC environment has made possible. The biggest impact of CD-ROM publications has been the degree to which undergraduate students and the general public have gained access to computer-based searching--something generally available only to researchers in the past few years. The major frustration of staff members has been the amount of time necessary to deal with scores of inexperienced searchers each day.

The price of CD-ROM drives continue to be stable, with $700 to $1,000 typical, but CD-ROM mastering costs have dropped almost from quarter to quarter, with the latest cost for making a master now as low as $1,500, and replicating 100 copies down to $2,000. Almost all CD-ROM drives and software assume the use of IBM-PC compatible equipment. The Mac market is relatively new. There are only a few dozen CD-ROM products for the Mac, most of them related to desktop publishing.

CD-ROM LANs

CD-ROM was conceived as a single-user technology, but it can be expensive to dedicate a PC, drive, and CD-ROM disk to each user. Therefore, CD-ROM LAN configurations were developed. A CD-ROM drive cannot be attached to a network without special hardware and software because most networks use a centralized file server and require their own file structure--one different from the file structure used by CD-ROM. Another problem is the fact that some networks dont support devices with more than 250 MB of storage. Finally, there is the MS-DOS limitation of 32 Mbytes (overcome by Microsoft CD-ROM Extensions).

The early CD-ROM LAN products were nothing more than switching devices, allowing the connection of any one of several workstations to any one of several disk drives. Only recently has "caching" been introduced to make it possible for multiple users to access the same disk in rapid succession. The cache stores information which has been frequently accessed so that the next request will come out of RAM, rather than off a CD-ROM disk. The composition of the cache is constantly changing. Caching makes it possible for several users to access a CD-ROM disk without degrading performance.

Today's CD-LAN products act as self-contained nodes connecting directly to the network like a workstation. After connecting a CD-LAN node to the network, the library decides which workstations will have access to the CD-LAN node and adds a device driver and a Microsoft CD-ROM extension to the CONFIG.SYS file of the selected workstations. The number of workstations depends on the capacity of the LAN used. At that point, the operating system automatically assigns drive letters to each CD-ROM drive. In the end, each CD-ROM drive appears as a logical device on the workstation. If a CD-ROM drive is assigned the letter "E," the user only types "E" to access that drive.

Unfortunately, there are few benchmarks available for the popular CD-ROM LANs to determine the impact of having several workstations seek access to the same disk at the same time. The vendors claim that it is very unlikely that there will be contention. One company representative told the editors that if 20 users on a network access the same drive an average of 20 times a day for a total of 440 "hits," there would be only a 1.38 percent chance of a conflict. However, that assumes an absolute even distribution of demand throughout the hours the library is open. A more realistic scenario is a group of students coming to the library after class to pursue an assignment and several of them seeking to access the same data base. In response to that situation, a second, and possibly a third, CD-ROM drive may have to be devoted to the same data base.

Anecdotal evidence-collected by calling six libraries using CD-ROM LANs--suggests that up to five persons can be working with the same data base at one time without an unacceptable deterioration of response time (more than 15 seconds). A possible reason for this is that most users are inexpert and relatively slow. Therefore, the network doesn't really encounter concurrence for much of the time the five users are active.

The most widely used CD-ROM LANs in libraries are the products of Meridian Data (CD NET), Online Computer Systems (OPTINET), Information Access Corporation, SilverPlatter (MultiPlatter) and H.W. Wilson--the last three all vendors of CD-ROM disks. The first two generally support more disk drives and more workstations and offer greater file caching than the other products. The last three are proprietary products which generally are sold as part of complete product packages. This article will focus on the first two because most libraries seek to obtain CD-ROM publications from several sources and want to avoid the limitations of a proprietary product.

CD NET is the most popular CD-ROM network product in both North America and Europe. In the last year, CD NET has been installed in over 100 locations in the United States and Europe, including university, health sciences, and corporate libraries.

CD NET from Meridian Data is a CD-ROM read-only network server which provides the hardware and software to share data bases over a local network of up to 75 workstations. CD NET runs under Novell network software on a Local Area Network using Arcnet, Ethernet, or Token Ring network interface cards. Recently 3Com, Ungermann-Bass and IBM PC-LAN options have been added. CD NET also can be used on TCP/IP networks and on Digital VAX equipment through gateway servers. CD NET is compatible with all High Sierra and ISO 9660 formatted CD-ROM disks (the accepted industry standards).

There are two basic 14 drive devices: the 286 CPU-based CD NET Model 214 at $20,430 and the 386 CPU-based CD NET Model 314 at $22,430. A system with fewer drives uses the same cabinet. The simple formula for calculating cost is to subtract $1,000 per drive not installed--down to a minimum of $7,995 for a single drive 214, and $9,995 for a single drive 314. The price includes Ethernet or ARCNET LAN support. Token Ring is $400 (4 Mbits) to $600 (16 Mbits) more. The prices for Models 214 and 314 also include CD NET Version 3.0 software. The configuration includes up to 7 MB of data caching, allowing data retrieval at full network bandwidth. This cached data is then retrieved at up to 1.5 times local CD-ROM transfer speeds. The Microsoft CD-ROM extensions are available through Meridian on a site license basis at a cost of $159 for up to ten users, $299 for 22 to 25, and $699 for 26 to 100.

CD NET accepts multiple copies of the same disk for increased performance and is designed with caching software. This means that information can be temporarily transferred from the CD-ROM--where access time is relatively slow--to the computer's RAM (Random Access Memory) cache for faster retrieval.

CD NET comes complete with CD-ROM players, a network interface card, cables and connectors, server and workstation software. It is not possible to use CD-ROM drives other than those provided by the vendor on CD NET, but they could be attached to the LAN if the vendor of them provides a CD-LAN network product. The recommended workstation configuration is a 286-8MHz class CPU, 640K RAM memory, a 20 MB hard disk and a floppy disk drive.

OPTINET from Online Computer Systems operates on IBM PC and Ethernet networks, using 3COM or Novell software. The IBM PC LAN supports up to 32 simultaneous users; the Ethernet LAN up to 128. OPTINET produces single-drive units that may be linked to multiple stations on the network, as well as four-drive and eight-drive units that can run different disks simultaneously. Either CD-ROM or WORM drives can be used on OPTINET. Unfortunately, the interface to the CD-ROM drives is proprietary. OPTINET includes a feature that makes it easy to find software on a multiple drive configuration: the system manager names each CD-ROM application so that users don't need to know which title is on which drive.

OPTINET is less widely used than CD NET, in part because it is less aggressively marketed; however, for small networks of fewer than ten drives it appears to be less costly. For example, a four drive system is under $6,000--approximately half the cost of CD NET. Expanding CD NET, once the basic drive cabinet is installed, is less expensive, however, and the maximum capacity substantially greater.

CD-ROM publications from LC

CDMARC Names is now available as a three CD-ROM disc set for the subscription price of $400 (U.S.) and $475 (international) - A free demonstration diskette of CDMARC Names is available.

CDMARC Subjects is available for $300 (U.S.) and $370 (international).

CDMARC Bibliographic, the Library's complete MARC data base since 1968 on CD-ROM, will be in testing shortly and is scheduled for release in first quarter 1991.

[Contact: LC Card Distribution Service, 101 Independence Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. 20540; (202) 707-5000.]

GPO electronic pilot projects

The GPO continues with its electronic pilot projects. One hundred libraries have been selected to receive the Department of Commerce Economic Bulletin Board. Starting next month, Census will be providing GPO with monthly foreign trade statistics on CD-ROM for distribution. The Toxic Release Inventory CD-ROM and floppy disks with software will be mailed within the next few weeks to participating libraries.

A summer release date is anticipated for the Congressional Record (Volume 131, 99th Congress, First Session, 1985) on CD-ROM. Four software packages are being evaluated for use with this product.

The interagency agreement between GPO and the Department of Energy to provide online access to the Integrated Technical Information System is near completion. Work on this pilot will begin once the agreement is signed. This pilot seeks to evaluate how to disseminate, most effectively, over 18,000 DOE reports each year.

CD-ROM best sellers

The Bureau of Electronic Publishing, one of the largest distributors of com-mercial CD-ROM titles (more than 250) has released a list of its best sellers for the first quarter of 1990. They are: Grolier's Electronic Encyclopedia, PC-SIG Library, Microsoft Bookshelf, Ziff's Com-puter Library, Oxford English Dictionary, Microsoft Programmer's Library, McGraw- Hill's Science and Technical Reference Set, Adle's Shareware Grab-Bag, Geovision, and Between Heaven and Hell.

Inlex interfaces with Wilson

With the release of WILSONTAPE, a new service from the H.W. Wilson Company, INLEX customers can load and search Wilson indexes through the INLEX System.

Each month, the WILSONTAPE service provides machine-readable tapes in standard USMARC format for each Wilson data base. Data on the tapes can be loaded into a separate data base on the INLEX System. The same Online Catalog searching techniques are used to locate information directly--without requiring the help of a reference librarian.

This service allows library patrons direct, convenient access to an additional 500,000 articles and 80,000 books a year without having to learn a new system or ask for help.

For pricing on the WILSONTAPE service contact H.W. Wilson. For pricing on data base setup and implementation, contact INLEX.

[Contact: H.W. Wilson Company, 950 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452; (800) 367- 6770, ext. 758 or INLEX, Inc., P.O. Box 1349, Monterey, CA 93942; (408) 646-9666.]

Cuadra Star report

We were recently asked why we did not include Cuadra Associates' STAR in our annual review of multi-user, multi-tasking automated library systems. The simple answer is, they failed to respond to our survey. However, after receiving the inquiry, we made in-person contact at ALA with the company's marketing manager for the western region. As a result, we received a belated response to our 1990 survey. We are pleased to summarize it:

STAR--available both as a turnkey , product and as a software package--is a multi-user data base management and information retrieval system. The modules include local cataloging, online patron access catalog, and community information (I&R). There also is a report generator.

The company claims over 140 installations worldwide, with 110 in North America. Thirty were sold in 1989. Revenue figures were not disclosed, but the company claims to be profitable. The product runs on a Sun Microsystems (Series 3 and SPARCstation) and Alpha Microsystems computers. The operating system for the former is Sun OS (a Unix-based OS) and for the latter it is AMOS. The programs are written in "C."

The product is targeted toward special libraries, information centers, law firms, publishing houses, etc. Fifteen of the installations support over 30 users (40 is the usual maximum), 50 support 16 to 29 users, 65 support eight to 15 users, and the rest support two to seven users. There are six staff members committed to software maintenance and development; another four staff are committed to other customer support.

[Contact: Cuadra Associates, 11835 W. Olympic Blvd., #855, Los Angeles, Ca 90064; (800) 366-1390.]

Inmagic, inc., releases Inmagic 7.2

Inmagic, Inc., the vendor of data base products for special file requirements, has announced release of INMAGIC 7.2. The new release adds the ability to change many records at once, expands display and report options, and simplifies data base building. These new capabilities enhance INMAGIC's established features of unlimited record and field length, multiple repeating fields, the ability to search for words or word stems anywhere in the text, and combined support for both English and foreign language text.

INMAGIC for microcomputers is $975. Multiple copy discounts and a network version are also available. There also are products available for popular minis and supermicros such as Digital and Wang.

[Contact: Inmagic, Inc., 2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140; (617) 661-8124; Fax (617) 661-6901.]

Transcontinental data transmission

Libraries that wish to link with automated library systems across the country can now take advantage of a new service--one which is an alternative to dial-on over voice-grade circuits and leased data circuits. The new service, called SDDN (Software Defined Data Network) is an offering of AT&T. It is a switched data version of the carrier s Software Defined Network (SDN) and allows users to dial-up their data calls over AT&T's switched network.

SDDN can be used in a number of applications, including LAN interconnection, remote inventory and transaction processing, videoconferencing, peak traffic overflow and private-line backup, Group 4 facsimile and CAD/CAE applications.

Initially, AT&T will provide SDDN customers with 56-kbps service and, within 90 days, 640-kbps restricted and 64-kbps clear channel service. SDDN at 384 kbps will be available during the first quarter of 1991.

Users can access SDDN service through T1.5 lines with ISDN PRI or through DDS. The rate schedule includes day, evening and night rates, along with volume discount plans. The service is cost competitive if a user's data needs are approximately three to four hours a day, or six hours of usage at evening rates.

LC seeks to extend roll up

The successful Remote Online LOCIS User Pilot (ROLLUP), an eight-month experiment offering direct public service access to the Library of Congress' automated bibliographic, congressional bill-status, copyright and referral information to 14 selected libraries across the country, reports that the participating sites have made considerable use of the LC systems. The final project report was submitted, and the Library has requested congressional approval to extend the project through this fiscal year and to grant similar access to the 50 state libraries and the District of Columbia Public Library on a fee basis for two years.

Sky cable

The prospect of libraries of all sizes receiving a wide range of programming (up to 108 channels) has been enhanced by a recent announcement from Sky Cable, a $1 billion direct-broadcast satellite TV project. The venture proposes to sell book-size satellite dishes which can be mounted on windowsills for as little as $300. This compares with current prices of $2,500 to $4,000 for much larger dishes. There also will be a monthly fee, possibly as little as $25.

The big challenge facing Sky Cable, and several other companies around the world, will be finding quality programming to fill 108 channels. One can only hope that more cultural and educational programming will be aired.

Corporate use of electronic data bases

The library information most valued by corporations is that which is retrieved from electronic data bases reports a recent study by Temple, Barber, & Sloane. The survey of 164 corporations entitled, "valuing Corporate Libraries" was conducted for the Special Library Association. Electronic data bases out-ranked journals, books, and studies by substantial margins. The report concludes that corporate-wide access to online data bases will force corporate librarians to recast and enhance their responsibilities in the 1990s. It recommends that librarians include network management (placing research materials directly on the corporate network) and information analysis in their job descriptions.

[Contact: Special Library Association, 1700 Eighteenth Street, N.W.., Washington, D.C. 20009; (202) 234-4700; Fax (202) 265-9317.]

Computer software lending/renting

An exemption for nonprofit libraries and nonprofit educational institutions has been included in S. 198, the Computer Software Rental Amendments of 1989, a bill that prohibits the commercial rental, lease, or lending of computer software. The bill was passed by the Senate on May 1, 1990. Nonprofit libraries that lend software are required to place a notice on each software package notifying the user of the copyright obligations. Language in S. 198's report includes acknowledgment of the role of libraries in purchasing and lending computer software.

Fax marketplace

The number of major players in the U.S. fax marketplace is shrinking rapidly. Sharp has increased its dominance to 22.5 percent of the marketplace according to Dataquest, a market research firm. Marata is a strong second with 16.8 percent, while Canon, Panasonic and Ricoh are contesting third through fifth with 8.9 percent, 8.5 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively. Toshita is sixth with 5.6 percent. The rest of the market is a scramble among more than 40 companies.

PC software sales summary

Word Perfect 5.1 and 5.0 took first and third in PC software sales in May. Lotus 1-2-3 Rel. 2.2 and Rel. 3.0 were second and fourth, respectively. Fastback was fifth, and Norton Utilities ranked sixth. PC Tools Deluxe, IBM PC-DOS 3.3, Harvard Graphics, and Lotus Freelance Plus rounded out the top ten.


Publication Information


PublisherLibrary Systems Newsletter was published by the American Library Association.
Editor-in-Chief:Howard S. White
Contributing Editor:Richard W. Boss
ISSN:0277-0288
Publication Period1981-2000
Business modelAvailable on Library Technology Guides with permission of the American Library Association.