System requirements: B & I on the Web should run fine on a number of systems; but the recommended software and hardware requirements are as follows: Software: A 3.x or higher version of browser software, such as Netscape 3.0 or MS Internet Explorer 3.0. Hardware: PC with a 386 or higher processor running Windows 3.1 or higher or a Power Macintosh running System 7.1 or higher. Minimum RAM: 4 MB for Windows 3.1, 6 MB for Windows 95 or NT, 8 MB for Macintosh System 7.1. Modem: 14.4 BPS or higher
Business & Industry on the Web (B & I on the Web) is the Internet version of the Dialog file, B & I. The product is a broad‐based business information database that contains articles from over 900 business and trade journals, including business events in over 190 countries. The site is updated daily with over 1,300 new records, an essential for the timeliness and relevance of research projects worked on by students and academicians. B&I includes over 60 percent full‐text coverage, abstracts making up the rest of the database content. Business & Industry is also available through DIALOG, Dialog‐OnDisc, DataStar, .xls ‐ Data Downlink Corporation, OCLC FirstSearch, OneSource.com, SilverPlatter, PointCast, and Chest (UK). These access points for B&I can be found at the B&I home page through the Responsive Databases, Inc. Web site (rdsinc.com/bi/index/htm). Comparable products to B&I on the Web include Dow Jones Interactive and the Web version of Lexis‐Nexis.
Searching is made easier and more precise through the focused editorial policy and detailed level of indexing practiced by the B&I staff. Indexing includes Concept Terms, Marketing Terms, Industry Names, SIC/Product Codes, Geographic Codes, Document Types, Journal Names, and Date limitations. There are two user levels for searching, Basic and Advanced. In a neat table at the top of the page, the Basic search page gives a very clear explanation of how to handle the search strategy. One of the directions points the user to the Advanced Search page. The only real difference between the pages here is that the Basic Search page does not allow searching for words in the title, as does the Advanced Search page. It seems best to skip the chase and go to the Advanced page, as it is not difficult and gives the user the added option.
The Advanced search page supports Boolean operators, expansion of search terms, truncation, and complex searches. The user can manipulate a search through a series of preselected variables incorporated into the search strategy. The variables are listed in drop‐down menus, as in the Basic search page; but the Advanced search page allows for use of proximity operators (ADJ or NEAR), in addition to command searching in the Key Word Field, and automatic truncation and stemming of Key Words and Company Names. As in the Basic search, the directions are very clear on how to formulate a search using these tools.
Natural language is allowed in the Key Word field, working in conjunction with a controlled vocabulary that is provided in the drop‐down menus. Indexing terms can be downloaded from the B&I home page, including a Quick Reference Card specific to B&I on the Web (pdf file.) A great feature that’s been placed next to the Document Type selection option allows a user to simply check a box to specify whether or not a table is required.
The fee for B & I on the Web is for a single concurrent user. Printing articles is also an option included in the fee. Print jobs can be done through the browser or downloaded to the desktop or onto a disk. Free trial subscriptions are available to qualified organizations or information specialists by contacting RDS at the toll‐free number or by emailing: customer_service@rdsinc.com
The pages are simple and not overrun with color and graphics. The Web site works efficiently and downloads quickly, depending on the time of day, the Internet connection, and whether or not the ISP’s servers have experienced a natural disaster. Technical support is available both online and via the toll‐free telephone number listed above. The rep I contacted seems to think that the computer support help lines tend to stay quiet because of the standardization of hardware and systems.
With practice, as with anything else, this database is fairly easy to use and certainly designed with the user in mind. This is a research database with no bells and whistles necessary, a refreshing design, given the graphic overload that permeates most of the Web. Anyone with a vested interest in the business world would benefit by having access to this product. Since this product focuses on business and industry, market trends, advertising, and other business‐related topics, it is certainly a must for an academic library that supports a curriculum geared toward business and economics. Given the rising costs of print journals and special focus periodicals, this product could feasibly act as a replacement for some of those esoteric, expensive journals, especially with the discount allowed for academic libraries. This product is strongly recommended for academic libraries
