+ Page 1 + ----------------------------------------------------------------- Public-Access Computer Systems News Volume 5, Number 2 (1994) ISSN 1050-6004 Editors: Dana Rooks (LIBL@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU) and Linda Thompson (LIB1J@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU). Issued on an irregular basis by University Libraries, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-2091. ----------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS EPIC Documentation Now Available on the Internet, 1 IDI Sells ZyLab, 2 UMI Develops Computer Abstracts Database on CD-ROM, 2 ABI/INFORM Helping VP Gore Reinvent Government, 3 UMI Introduces New General Reference Full-Text Database, 3 Winnebago Software & UMI to Offer 5 Databases via CIRC/CAT, 4 EPIC DOCUMENTATION NOW AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET A new listserv for users of the EPIC service, OCLC's online reference service for library professionals, provides EPIC documentation over the Internet. EPIC-L provides the EPIC Reference Card, database documentation and price information for each database. EPIC-L offers database price information to users without requiring them to log on to EPIC. Users can also get lists of journal sources for individual EPIC databases. To get information about EPIC-L, send an Internet message to listproc@oclc.org and enter info epic-l in the body of the message. To subscribe free of charge to EPIC-L, send an Internet mail message to listproc@oclc.org and enter subscribe epic-l [your name] in the body of the message. EPIC is a full-featured online reference system that provides subject access and keyword and Boolean searching to a variety of databases. For additional information, contact Nita Dean, 614-761-5002. + Page 2 + IDI SELLS ZYLAB OCLC announced that its subsidiary, Information Dimensions Inc. (IDI), has sold its ZyLab division to ZyCo Incorporated, a newly formed corporation controlled by C-CUBED Corporation of Alexandria, Va. ZyLab develops and markets ZyIndex, a document retrieval system for personal computers, and markets ZyImage, a Windows-based document imaging and retrieval system. In a related transaction, ZyCo acquired ZyImage software from PT Partners, a Maryland partnership. Jim Hackbarth, IDI president and chief operating officer, said the sale of ZyLab allows IDI to focus resources on its core products--the BASIS suite of document database management systems designed for the client/server environment. Mr. Hackbarth said IDI will continue to market ZyLab products and retains a license to continue to use ZyLab products that are embedded in IDI products. Information Dimensions Inc. is an international software company specializing in information management technology. According to independent studies conducted by Delphi Consulting Group, Gartner Group and International Data Corporation, Information Dimensions' BASISplus is the leading relational database management system for documents. For additional information, contact Jaron Terry, IDI, 614- 761-7273; or Jackie Karlin, ZyCo, 301-590-0900. UMI DEVELOPS COMPUTER ABSTRACTS DATABASE ON CD-ROM UMI has announced the creation of Computer Abstracts, a new database designed to offer library patrons information on evaluating and analyzing computer hardware, software, computer companies, and other related topics. Computer Abstracts' information is provided by Learned Information's Microcomputer Abstracts and Information Sources Inc.'s Business Software Database. The database also includes computer-related abstracts from ABI/INFORM. o Monthly updates provide consistent, up-to-date information; o Coverage includes more than 200 key source titles; o Hardware and software product reviews from third-party sources provide unbiased recommendations and criticism; o UMI's multiple document delivery services provide users with convenient options for obtaining the full article print-out; + Page 3 + o Flexible search software allows for a great range of search styles for both experienced and novice users; o Context sensitive help screens; o Operates on any ProQuest system so it can complement existing UMI information collections; o Provides a wide range of company information and enables the user to find telephone and fax numbers, addresses, financial data, and the status of companies. Computer Abstracts will be available in July 1994 from UMI. An annual subscription for 1-4 simultaneous users is $2,000. For additional information or to arrange a free, 60-day trial, call 800-521-0600, ext. 2888. ABI/INFORM HELPING VP GORE REINVENT GOVERNMENT UMI has announced that it has granted permission for the staff of Reinventing Government to publish information from ABI/INFORM for two electronic conferences, NETRESULTS and MEASURENET. Both are available on the Internet. The information, which was retrieved from the ProQuest CD-ROM version of ABI/INFORM in the Library of Congress, includes hundreds of database records that focus on customer-driven organizations and performance measurements. According to Andy Campbell, a representative of Reinventing Government, the staff needs this information because "... One of the most important initiatives of Reinventing Government is `Putting Customers First' and transforming the federal government into one which is customer-driven." UMI INTRODUCES NEW GENERAL REFERENCE FULL-TEXT DATABASE UMI has announced the introduction of a new CD-ROM database designed for use in one of the fastest growing education environments: middle and high school libraries. Resource/One Select Full Text offers students access to the 60 most-requested journal titles, with 49 available in ASCII full-text. Features include: o Indexing and abstracts (1986+) and ASCII full-text (1992+) coverage from such key titles as Atlantic Monthly, Forbes, Life, Money, Nation, Nation's Business, National Review, Time, U.S. News & World Report, and Psychology Today; + Page 4 + o Indexing and abstracts (1988+) for The New York Times Current Events Edition--this unique collection of current events articles from The New York Times and The New York Times Magazine is exclusive to UMI; o Online subject thesaurus enables students to easily broaden or narrow searches; o Includes TopicSearch, which enables students to browse a list of search topics; o Monthly updates. An annual subscription is $1,200. For additional information, call 800-521-0600, ext. 2888. WINNEBAGO SOFTWARE & UMI TO OFFER 5 DATABASES VIA CIRC/CAT Winnebago Software Co. and UMI have reached an agreement that will enable thousands of librarians worldwide to access five of UMI's databases via Winnebago's CIRC/CAT online catalog program. The agreement eliminates the need to purchase additional CD-ROM and computer hardware products. This support of full-text and abstract database records and the ability to search them with a seamless interface are exclusive to Winnebago Software Co. The five UMI databases to be made available offer access to the types of publications students need, such as TIME, NEWSWEEK, AUDUBON, as well as content from The New York Times Current Events Edition and USA TODAY in several of the databases. Included will be Resource/One, Resource/One Select, and Periodical Abstracts-Library (all abstract-and-index databases), as well as Resource/One Full Text (100 full-text titles) and Resource/One Select Full Text (60 full-text titles). ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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.UH.EDU 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) 1994 by the University Libraries, University of Houston. All Rights Reserved. + Page 5 + Copying is permitted for noncommercial use by academic computer centers, 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------- .