61 Trends in the Information Sphere - Information Theory (Information Research)
Description
This article is from the Information Research FAQ, by David Novak david@spireproject.com with numerous contributions by others.
61 Trends in the Information Sphere - Information Theory (Information Research)
For the past few years, individual database owners/maintainers have
been flirting with the idea of making paid access available through the
internet, rather than the existing system of allowing database
retailing firms to promote and market their databases. I have heard
rumours most database producers earn up to 30% of retail price when
delivered through database retailers - 70% being retained by the
database retailer.
The internet is not a commercially viable alternative...yet, but some
databases have emerged with alternative funding despite this (Library
of Congress, ERIC, Medline). Others are creeping in around the edges by
offering subscribers access at a much reduced flat annual fee (Computer
Select at one time). I expect most database producers are waiting for a
meaningful way to charge. Digital money holds the key but despite the
hype, practical use appears to be a medium to long-term reality.
A second trend is internet publishing itself. Gradually, the
information is getting easier to locate. (Don't laugh please - its
undignified.) We are also getting better at using the internet as a
tool to disseminate information. We have the very visible, if perhaps
short-lived, search engines but also other efforts like archives of
FAQs, archives of guidebooks, applying the Dewey decimal system to the
internet, specialist directories, subject guides, specialist search
engines. This will be a lively field for several years to come. As it
gets easier to locate the good information, perhaps the lines between
commercial quality and internet quality will begin to merge in places.
The third trend is the very promising prospect of paying for
information by the page through the internet - viewing the results in a
web page immediately. There are some technical hurdles yet, but certain
elements are already appearing in ventures like DialogWeb. This step
may prove profitable for ATM vendors and owners of internet cafes, pubs
and kiosks. It will also herald a dramatic drop in the cost of
information.
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