Two Database Source Books:  Excellence vs. Mediocrity
                   Copyright 1988 David W. Batterson

Directory of Online Databases (Vol. 8, No. 3); Cuadra/Elsevier, 52 Vanderbilt
Ave., New York, NY  10017; 1987, 581 pp., $56; annual subscription for 2
Directories/2 Updates, $110

Information USA Workbook, Edition 1 by Matthew Lesko; Information USA, Inc.,
4701 Willard Ave., #1707, Chevy Chase, MD  20815; no publication date or number
of pp. provided, $95

    There are class acts in the computer biz, and then there are the low-rent
variety.  This holds true whether it is hardware, software, peripherals, or
computer-related books.
    Here's a quick look at two books--one excellent and worth every dollar, and
the other an overpriced, badly-printed ripoff.
    Online databases are evolving so rapidly that it's almost impossible for
the average online user to keep up.  Obviously, one doesn't log onto a
database, such as Dialog Information Services or NewsNet, and use expensive
time browsing to see if the database you need is there.
    These two books describe what databases exist, what commercial online
service offers them, and specifically what data are contained within.
    The Directory of Online Databases might be called the Acura of such source
books, while Information USA Workbook is the Yugo!  Cuadra/Elsevier puts
together a distinctive reference, with detailed information, exquisite
typesetting/printing, and fine paper stock, in a well-organized manner.
    The Directory features about 3,300 databases available through over 500
services throughout the world.  The format is easy to follow, and there are
five (5!) cross-referenced indices:  Master Index, Subject Index, Producer
Index, Online Service/Gateway Index, and Telecommunications Index.
    Full scope and characteristics of the information are covered, along with
geographical/time-span coverage, and frequency of updates.  If the required
information isn't in the Directory, it probably isn't available anywhere!
    Information USA Workbook, on the other hand, pales by comparison.  Most of
the book is reproduced from typewritten pages.  The rest consists of pages
copied directly from government publications, such as those from the U.S.
Departments of Commerce and Labor.
    Thus the book has a mishmash layout, a potpourri of different type fonts
and sizes, cheap paper, and dark and light pages.  There is no index.
Individual sections have the original page numbers, but the overall book has no
page numbering beyond the first section.
    Information USA Workbook contains 16 pages discussing online databases.
The rest consists of government and private databases accessed in person or by
telephone.
    Many of the online databases listed contain old addresses and phone
numbers, and there are entirely too many typos.  There are uninformed
statements such as:  "Save on Telecommunications software.  The cheapest (such
as PC-Talk) may be the best."  Not so.
    While there may be some useful information in it, Information USA Workbook
has such a air of sloppiness to it that one questions the book's overall
accuracy.  In addition, the $95 price is ridiculously high for such an
amateurish reference work.
    The Directory of Online Databases is the professional work for
professionals; it's top quality and fairly priced.

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David Batterson reviews computer hardware, software, peripherals and books for
a variety of publications.  Please send comments via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.