Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 11:37:56 -0500 (EST)
From: Kate McCain <MCCAINKW@DUVM.OCS.DREXEL.EDU>
Subject: Infonautics and the Electric (sic) Library

Please reply to Kate McCain per her request -- ed.
______

I was handed a large information packet that a local company (Infonautics) sent
to a member of our university administration. I was asked to provide an
evaluation and thought I would also seek outside commentary.

 Infonautics published "Homework Helper" as well as the "award-winning
Electric Library online reference service" which apparently takes natural
language queries and searches a database of full-text newspapers, magazines,
newswires, books, maps, photographs, and monographs. It is intended "for
students of all ages."  Because it would seem to be an alternative to
subscriptions, I thought I would pose my query here.

Do any of your institutions subscribe to this?  If so, what evaluation,
reactions, etc. can you share with me?  If not, had you considered it and
decided against subscribing?  Can you tell me why?

Perhaps it would be better if you responded to me personally. If there was
general interest, I could, of course, summarize.

Kate McCain
mccainkw@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu