Spoilt for choice? Optical discs and online databases in the next decade

This paper presents a brief review of potential developments in optical discs and online databases in the 1990s, and describes advances in technology that may affect our use of these media, changes in the market that will emerge in the next decade, associated problems that could arise as a result of these developments and finally, some pointers to future trends are illustrated by selected recently‐announced projects and services.