+ Page 1 + ----------------------------------------------------------------- Public-Access Computer Systems News Volume 3, Number 7 (June 3, 1992) ISSN 1050-6004 Editors: Dana Rooks (LIBL@UHUPVM1) and Charles W. Bailey, Jr. (LIB3@UHUPVM1). Issued on an irregular basis by University Libraries, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-2091. ----------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS INFORMATION MACHINE DISTRIBUTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, 1 AUTO-GRAPHICS UPGRADES GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS DATABASE, 2 DIALOG ANNOUNCES COMMERCE DATABASES ON CD-ROM, 2 NEW RETRIEVAL SOFTWARE FOR FACTS ON FILE, 3 INFORMATION MACHINE DISTRIBUTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON The University of Houston Libraries is now the distributor of the Information Machine, a microcomputer reference assistance program that can be adapted for use in other libraries. The Information Machine has been in use at the University of Houston Libraries since 1987. An Information Machine presentation is menu-driven and may contain information such as search strategy, locations, hours, and policies. Because the program can contain text on any topic, non-library organizations may find it useful as well. An Information Machine presentation is created by capturing screens from the display of a "clean screen" word processor such as the DOS version of WordPerfect, then preparing a script that directs the presentation. The Information Machine requires an IBM-compatible computer with 256 KB RAM and a clock/calendar. A color monitor is recommended and a hard disk will be needed for all but very small presentations. The University of Houston Libraries cannot offer formal software support, but assistance will be provided as time permits. No upgrades to the software are guaranteed. The Information Machine is sold via the Library Copy Service for the costs of disks, copying, postage, and handling. The cost is expected to be $30 for U.S. purchases. All orders must be paid by check or money order. + Page 2 + To obtain a demonstration disk containing a subset of the presentation, send a stamped, self-addressed diskette mailer and a formatted 5 1/4" or 3 1/2" IBM diskette to Judy Myers, Assistant to the Director, University of Houston Libraries, Houston, TX 77204-2091. For purchase information, contact Judy Myers, at the address above, by fax (713)743-9748, voice (713)743-9805, or BITNET: LIB8@JETSON. AUTO-GRAPHICS UPGRADES GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS DATABASE Auto-Graphics has upgraded its Government Documents Catalog Service (GDCS) database, an enhanced CD-ROM version of the Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications. The upgrade combined valuable and unique information and deleted redundant data from otherwise duplicate records. The process allows the continued offering of the GDCS database on a single CD-ROM disc. The enhancement preserves the serials availability records that contain unique information about individual publications, map series records, and records for individual maps issued in series. For additional information, contact Ruth Rubio-Rogerson at Auto-Graphics, Inc., 3201 Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768-3200; (800) 776-6939. DIALOG ANNOUNCES COMMERCE DATABASES ON CD-ROM Dialog Information Services introduces two commerce databases on CD-ROM. DIALOG OnDisc COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY is the CD-ROM version of the Commerce Business Daily produced by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The CD-ROM database contains the complete text of the print publication, which announces products and services wanted and offered by the U.S. government. Annual subscription rates are $795 including updates every two months and $250 of connect time in File 195 online on DIALOG. The database covers 1990 forward. The DIALOG OnDisc JOURNAL OF COMMERCE provides complete coverage of The Journal of Commerce, the daily business newspaper of international trade and transportation, plus the weekly transportation magazine, Traffic World. The CD-ROM product is available in three configurations, with the current configurations receiving quarterly updates. Contact Dialog Marketing, 3460 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94303, or call (800)3-DIALOG. + Page 3 + NEW RETRIEVAL SOFTWARE FOR FACTS ON FILE Now updated to include 12 years of news information, the Facts on File News Digest CD-ROM 1980-1991 features new and improved hypermedia retrieval software and is available at a lower price. The Ebsco-CD software offers easier installation, a more user- friendly interface, improved LAN capabilities, and the ability to print the whole or part of an article to paper or disk. The Facts on File News Digest CD-ROM is updated annually and provides the full text of all news articles, the index, and the detailed maps that appear in the print version. For a free demonstration disk, contact Electronic Publishing at (212) 683-2244, ext. 223. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Public-Access Computer Systems News is an electronic newsletter that is distributed on BITNET, Internet, and other computer networks. There is no subscription fee. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to LISTSERV@UHUPVM1 (BITNET) or LISTSERV@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU (Internet) that says: SUBSCRIBE PACS-P First Name Last Name. PACS-P subscribers also receive two other electronic serials: Current Cites and The Public-Access Computer Systems Review. Public-Access Computer Systems News is Copyright (C) 1992 by the University Libraries, University of Houston. All Rights Reserved. Copying is permitted for noncommercial use by computer conferences, individual scholars, and libraries. Libraries are authorized to add the journal to their collection, in electronic or printed form, at no charge. This message must appear on all copied material. All commercial use requires permission. -----------------------------------------------------------------