Online and the database producer

Abstract

The development of the INSPEC Database for online application is used as the basis for discussion of some of the major policy considerations. These include systems of indexing and other access points; the choice of online service provider (or providing one's own); the allocation of database costs between online services and printed products; pricing; downloading; and training. The impact of developments such as searching by end-users, electronic publishing, and full-text databases is briefly examined.