CD to Web database migration

[Bob Jones]

There are some issues not mentioned that I think are compelling.  I am 
grateful that a vendor is asking questions rather than making assumptions!

1.  Decentralization of information.  The new buzzphase is "distance 
learning".  By moving to the web, the information and service is 
available to more people, at more locations, for more hours.

2.  Common interface.  Not only are we moving to the web, but we tend to 
move to large database suppliers that use one common engine over all 
databases.  The user generally already has (or is willing to learn) web 
skills, and by keeping the number of proprietary search syntax 
learning/training issues to a minimum, the researcher enjoys a more "user- 
friendly environment.

3.  Currency.  Because the market demands it, large web-based database 
suppliers are usually able to get and load updates more quickly.  This is 
my impression, but it may be a lie!

Speaking of "distance",  I remember my grandfather speaking of the 
proverbial 5 miles from school.  Now the magic number seems to be the 
proverbial 40 miles from campus.  I wonder if the census bureau knows that 
no one lives either inside or outside of that 40 mile radius?!  :-)

Bob Jones                                    mailto:bjones at unf.edu
Head, Public Services Division and Systems Coordinator
University of North Florida Library          http://www.unf.edu/library/    
P.O. Box 17605                               (904) 620-2552 (SC 861-2552) 
Jacksonville, FL  32245-7605                 FAX: (904) 620-2719
                                             ARIEL: 139.62.208.88


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On Wed, 16 Jul 1997, Dennis Brantley wrote:

> Cross posted - apologies.
> 
> First of all, I will state that I am a vendor so please bear with me as
> I try to ask some questions.  Respond directly to me if you like and I
> will summarize for those interested.
> 
> I am curious about the migration of database access from CD to
> web-access.  At the high water mark, how many CD databases did your
> library have?  How many now?  How many were replaced with web access? 
> Is future growth likely to be primarily web databases only?
> 
> For those databases migrated to web access, what were the compelling
> reasons?
> Cost?
> User Interface (browser)?
> More current?
> Desktop application support associated with CD?
> Easier to implement? How?
> Less user education?
> Publisher has indicated that CD will not be published in future?
> Other?
> 
> Are there negative consequences, such as:
> Speed of web vs LAN?
> Less sophisticated search tools?
> More difficult to validate authorized users, particularly offsite users?
> 
> Which web-enabled databases use proprietary search engines, and which
> use a browser, or both?
> 
> Do any publishers that support a browser interface to their data provide
> the ability to mount a local copy of the data, whether on CD or hard
> disc?
> 
> Does Z39.50 compatibility figure into the equation?
> 
> Comments about what's missing?
> 
> --
> Dennis Brantley
> Data Access Technologies, Inc./CD Solutions
> Toll Free 1-888-4-DATI-CD (432-8423)
> mailto:dennis at dati.com
> Voice (770) 339-6554
> FAX (770) 682-0629
> 4