CD ROM to WWW migration

[Howard Pasternack]

I have to take exception about the advantages of local cd rom network
access as opposed to the Web.  Many of the products which are available
only in CD form have clients which operate on only one technical platform.
No matter what the technical sophistication of your lan and cd network
software, there is no simple way to explain to a faculty member in the
history department why her Macintosh can not access the ABC-Clio Press
history databases.  Or to a Windows user why he can't get to the Perseus
CD ROM.  While some web accessible databases have user interfaces which
are less sophisticated than their CD ROM counterparts, we here will always
opt for a web accessible product over one which we have to mount and
support locally. And the above does not even begin to address the
sundry ways in which the collection development/acquisitions process is
distorted by technical considerations related to making the product
accessible to your primary clientele. At least with the web you can make a
decision on the costs and benefits of the product, without having to worry
as to whether you having the capacity and the type of networking
infrastructure to support the CD access.

Howard Pasternack
Brown University

> 
> 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:
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