Does machine-readable documentation on online hosts and CD-ROMs have a role or future?

Abstract

As electronic information resources become increasingly complex, documentation in machine-readable form has been developed as a possible solution to the problem of ever-increasing numbers and volume of printed manuals and collections of data sheets. The authors report the results of a UK-based study among database users, CD-ROM producers and hosts to assess trends and views on this issue. The opinions of a small number of online and CD- ROM vendor companies, and a sample of members of the UK Online User Group, were assessed by means of postal questionnaires. Print manuals are still the primary source of documentation for those using electronic databases. The reasons for the continuing reluctance of people to make use of machine-readable documentation are cost, convenience and ease of use. Some suggestions are made as to how docu mentation in machine-readable form might be improved to make it more user-friendly and popular.

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