[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Almost all computer databases are read­only files that allow you to look at information but not modify it in any way.You are allowed to copy the information to your own computer and use it later, of course, subject to any copyright restrictions that apply.Almost all services also require a search fee based on time or some other unit charge.These are national commercial services and you pay for the time you are "logged on." These fees are not inexpensive.Some are free, but others run as little as $15 per month with unlimited use to as high as $200 or more per hour for more exclusive systems at corporate, prime usage time rates.Most searches cost just a few dollars, however, and may be well worth the investment in terms of time and other expenses saved.Popular news media database providers are Nexis/Lexis, Dialog/Knowledge Index, Dow Jones News/Retrieval, and DataTimes.However, don't despair over thePage 73costs.Most colleges and universities have libraries with access to these and other databases at a completely subsidized, or at least a reduced rate, for students.You should ask about this by checking with your professors or reference librarians.Another growing tool to access databases is called CD­ROM, which is an acronym for compact­disc, read­only memory systems.These are not online services, but often CD­ROM databases often contain the same information.These permit use for unlimited periods at no additional cost.Libraries often make a one­time purchase of a database, such as a newspaper or magazine over a period of time such as a year, and make the data available to users at no cost.This is a popular tool at many university and college libraries.CD­ROM systems are available for home PCs also but are a comparatively expensive investment compared to modems.Usually, these are best for high­volume users.One good example of an inexpensive CD­ROM that is quite useful to writers is Microsoft's "Bookshelf." This multi­media CDincludes a set of reference books that may be used with a word processor.Typical reference books on a Bookshelf CD include a dictionary, world almanac, a concise encyclopedia, world atlas, thesaurus, dictionary of quotations, zip code directory, and a chronology.There are also several more complete encyclopedias available on CD­ROM.Microsoft's "Encarta" is a leading example.Most reference books sets on CD are updated annually and are available at many libraries.Most current databases used for literature searches are electronic versions of indexes, which have traditionally been published in hard­bound form.The convenience is obvious, if you are willing to pay for the time to do a broad search.Most of the searches your library can do for you are conducted through a central computer located somewhere else.Your library simply links its computer to the computer and requests a particular database for you.The database you request will, of course, depend on the subject of your article.As noted earlier, you can conduct many searches yourself, if you want to learn and want to acquire the additions to your home computer.The most challenging aspect of computer database use is search strategy.The secret to inexpensive searching is to narrow down the key words that the computer uses to make its search.A key word or series of key words define what the computer searches for in the database.Because most databases are bibliographic—that is, they contain authors, titles, and subjects—you have to have an idea about who the authors are or what correct words might appear in titles.A search of "animals," for example, would work if you wanted to findPage 74articles on domestic cats or house cats, but it would generate a lot of information not central to your interests.The search would be even better to request "pets" or"cats" or a specific breed such as ''Maine coon cats" if you need to be that narrowly focused.Some databases, such as the contents of many daily newspapers and major national or specialized magazines, are full text.These databases, when accessed, permit users to look at entire articles as they were published.Naturally, these can be extremely valuable for feature writers searching for previously published, but recent, information.Many larger libraries are beginning to computerize their card catalogs for easy searching, also.Although some are limited to in­house searching, many libraries are now searchable online.This enables a writer to find material before he or she treks to the library.The scope of these databases may be limited to the last 10 to 15 years, primarily because of the high cost of entering older acquisitions.Yet these databases are helpful in finding the most recent editions of books, or, at least, the most recent acquisitions by libraries [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
  • zanotowane.pl
  • doc.pisz.pl
  • pdf.pisz.pl
  • agnieszka90.opx.pl