CD ROM to WWW migration

[Paul H. Gray]

At 05:15 PM 10/27/97 -0800, you wrote:
>Dear Colleagues,
>Many of you are undoubtedly aware of the quick migration of certain CD ROM
>products to a Web incarnation.  
>. . .
>My point is, and I'd like to evoke discussion pro and con, is that CD ROM
>products that have migrated to the Web are more rough-hewn and more likely to
>haphazard searching,than the discs.  
> . . .

This may not be exactly to the point of your question (I am not
'officially' a librarian - and leave the issues you raised to those who
are.) but as the primary computer support person for our library and the
person to first catch the arrows when things are inaccessible - my concerns
center around the laws of physics and of averages.

The more distance and the more potential points of congestion\failure you
put between you and the resources you need the greater the likelihood they
will -not- be available.  We have recently tested SirS, EbscoHost, ProQuest
and other on-line services (so this is NOT a criticism of any one product). 
--None-- of these services provided any where near the response time or
dependability of our LAN-based cd-roms.
In the month or two we tested these there were hours and days when it was
just impossible to connect to them.  And even sitting on a T1 line response
times were often measurable in minutes as opposed to seconds for local
resources.

The Internet is a wonderful concept - much like the Interstate Highway
system to which it is often compared.  But  - like that same highway system
it is increasingly overcrowded and constantly under construction.  I'm
sorry - but as long there is a truly equivalent cd-rom alternative that can
be housed locally my vote would go for it every time.

---Opinions are strictly my own --
-and all other standard disclaimers-

Paul H. Gray, Learning Resources Manager      Phone:  (817)515-6623
       
TCJC Northeast LRC                            Fax:    (817)515-6275
        828 Harwood Road                              E-Mail:
phgray at tcjc.cc.tx.us
Hurst, Texas 76054