Technology – the problems and the solutions

Abstract

It is the idea of large-scale ‘downloading’ that has begun to worry the vendors of on-line bibliographic information, who perceive in this ort of activity a considerable economic threat to their own positions. In order to ascertain what is the likelihood, on basis of available and imminent technology, that such a detrimental situation will in fact materialize, one might look more closely at the following four aspects: communications, storage, manipulation, output. For several reasons, here outlined, the first of these factors may offer the on-line vendors some consolation, since they are capable of controlling the speed at which, and the extent to which, data can flow from their computers to the user. The storage-capacity now available to a potential ‘pirate’, nevertheless, is significant, even on a microcomputer-system. Optical disk technology is not yet a determinant here, but videodisks are a medium which could lead to an undermining of the vendor's position in the information-provision chain. For data-manipulation, microcomputers certainly have sufficient hardware-power. Presently, software is the problem, but this circumstance may change in the future. The chance that any information pirate would be able, either presently or in the foreseeable future, to make a viable commercial proposition of peddling stolen data-collections (whether or not on a re-packaged, value-added basis) is quite small. However, the potential for re-use in an internal context must be viewed as considerable, and here users stand to reap extensive benefits. The author gives two examples of ‘symbiotic’ information-retrievaljdownloading applications, and concludes with the observation that such activity will most likely encourage more – rather than less – use of on-line services, and thus work to the benefit of the vendors. Producers, vendors, and users must be prepared to adapt to the changing times, if they are to prosper in the new environment. Attached to this paper is an appendix which lists certain new microcomputer peripherals and software, with specifications of cost, capacity, and supplier.