Compact disc federal register

Reviews

GIQ considers for review reference works, important microform sets and microcomputer software, and professional literature. Priority will be given to works that cover government information policy. Reviews should not exceed 275 words, without prior permission of the Reviews Editor. The views expressed are those of the reviewers and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editorial Board or the publisher. Standard directories supply publishers’ addresses. Persons wishing to write reviews or to suggest titles should contact me at Case Library, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York 13346. Publishers likewise are requested to forward announcements of new and forthcoming titles that may interest GZQ readers. John A. Shuler

Compact Disc Federal Register, July 1990Publishing.

. Wellesley-Hills,

Massachusetts:

Counterpoint

Reviewed by Gary Cornwell* The Compact Disc Federal Register (CD/ FR) produced by Counterpoint Publishing provides full-text indexing and display of the Federal Register. The CD/ FR is updated weekly and each disk contains six months worth of information-the most recent week plus the trailing six months of data. The CD/ FR is based upon the GPO tape version of the Federal Register and contains all the text and tables available in the tape. However, since the GPO tapes do not contain some graphics and diagrams, the CD-ROM version will not either. Consequently, for this type of information the user will still need to consult the print version of the Federal Register. The CD/ FR has an easy to follow and well-designed user interface. At the initial screen, the user is prompted to select either an introduction and overview of the system or to search one of three command modes. The command modes are <>, <>, and <>. The <> mode allows the user to search the table of contents of either a single issue of the Federal Register or the merged table of contents from a range of issues selected by the user from the “I want to see”menu option. This option enables the user to specify the issues of the Federal Register to search by date, page number, or volume/issue number. Additionally, by using the <> command, the table of contents may be searched by issuing agency. Selecting an agency from the “agency table of contents” retrieves a list of all the articles by that particular agency. Government Information Quarterly, Volume 9, Number 2, pages 207-220 Copyright @ 1992 by JAI Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. ISSN: 0740-624X

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The <> command permits retrieval of specific articles based on search criteria provided by the user. While using the <> command, searches may be limited using the “I want to see” option as well as by the type of article (Rules, Proposed Rules, Notices, etc.). The <> command allows the user to enter specific page numbers of the Federal Register to search and retrieve a list of the article(s) that appear on that particular page. Once the search has been completed (using any of the command modes), the user may select to read the corresponding text from the Federal Register. Additionally, by using the <> or <> commands the user may save either the currently displayed information or the entire article to a file for printing or use in a variety of word processing programs. The “User Guide” that accompanies the CD/ FR provides a concise, easy-to-follow introduction to the interface software. Since the search protocol is standard throughout the various command modes, the system can be easily learned after a few sample searches. However, due to the matrix design of the “Search Screen,” it can be potentially confusing to the novice user and as a result warrants a closer look. While in the <> mode the user may limit the type or range of articles to search by using the menu options listed in the ‘Search Screen.” Once these parameters have been set, the user types in the search term. As the search term is keyed in, it appears in an input box at the bottom of the screen and in an index list (Figure 1). The user may then enter the search term as if it was input or choose an alternative search term from the index listing. Once the search term has been entered, it appears in the highlighted cell of the matrix. This term can then be combined with other terms using the logical operators “and” and “or.” Tabbing horizontally across the matrix allows use of the “or” command as well as proximity searching (with proximity searching, additional search terms must appear within one line of text of the first search term, Counterpoint refers to this as “Phrase”searching). Tabbing vertically down the matrix invokes the “and”command. Search terms combined using the boolean “and” may appear anywhere within the text of the article (Figure 2).

<> <> <

<>

Select a term:

Term:

1428 1 128 1 305 --7 61 3 1

491

: 5

: 1

7; 1 134 2 10 1 1

electronic elecuonical elecamically electronicpayment electronics electrons electroplating electm~neu&ic electropomion electrostatic electroshield elecamhock

electronic

Figure 7.

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While the matrix approach to searching may not be inherently understood by the average user, after a few searches it can be fairly easily mastered. Additionaltlly, it does offer the user the opportunity to edit and change search terms throughout the process. On the other hand, for the experienced user, the matrix approach can be cumbersome and hmiting. Consequently, the user might be better served if the software offered a “command line” which would allow direct entry of specific search terms and boolean operators. Once the search has been completed, the user receives an alphabetical list of the search results. For example, searching the CD/FR from January 22, 1991 to July 19, 1991 for the terms “electronic information” and “management budget” results in 26 articles. Unfortunately, while browsing through the list of articles, users are not prompted as to what number is selected (i.e., Number I9 of ZS), nor are they prompted when the end of the list is reached. The addition of these small enhancements would be quite helpful to most users. Despite the lack of a command line and other minor inconveniences, the search software is well-defined, allowing for sophisticated searches with relative ease, However, befare purchasing the CD/ FR there are a number of concerns regarding its potential use and audience that libraries should consider. First, since the CD-ROM does not currently contain ah graphics and diagrams that appear in print version of the Federal Register, libraries may still want to retain their print (or microformat) copies. Consequently, libraries purchasing the CD-ROM as a replacement to their print publications with hopes of freeing up shelf space may want to reconsider. Additionally,

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recent studies reported in the October 16, 1991 issue of the Wall Street Journal indicate that the CD-ROM may not be the indestructible medium that it was hailed to be when it was first introduced. CD-ROMs now appear to age differently depending on climate, how they were made, and how they are handled. As a result, many fear that CD-ROMs may not have nearly the life span of the papers and books they were meant to replace. Second, libraries purchasing the CD/FR solely for the indexing that it provides may want to consider using one of the many online services that are currently available. While the CDROM certainly provides a level of indexing well beyond that of print sources, it is limited to the data contained on a particular disk. Consequently, a patron wishing to search three or four years worth of the Federal Register may need to search as many as nine separate disks. Using an online index, the search would only need to be done once. In either case, if the library retains the original print version of the document, it would probably be the preferred format for reading lengthy articles. Finally, if immediacy of data is a concern, then the online or even the print version of the Federal Register might be preferred. While Counterpoint Publishing does offer a number of options (at cost) for rapid delivery of the disks, there will always be a delay in their receipt since the disks are weekly compilations of data. Even with these limitations, the CD/FR is a first-class product, and many libraries will find it a valuable addition to their collections. Those libraries wishing to take advantage of the ease of searching and flexibility of downloading and data transfer that the CD/FR offers should not hesitate to purchase this product. * Gary Cornwell, Federal Documents Librarian, University of Florida Libraries, Library West, Gainesville, Florida 3261 I.

Documents

Department,

Congressional Anecdotes. By Paul F. Boiler, Jr. New York and Oxford: Oxford University 1991,357 pages, $21.95. ISBN 0-19-50~92-X. LC90-49603. Reviewed

Press,

by Sever M. Bordeianu*

History and political science usually focus on facts and theories, while sometimes ignoring the personalities of the players involved. The public is fascinated with presidential personalities, and both the popular and the scholarly literature abound in works that focus on the presidency. Congress too has a distinct personality. Congressional personalities rarely make the headlines, possibly because the number of individuals is so large. To date, over eleven thousand people have served in Congress. However, in many cases, these personalities have heavily influenced the outcome of historical events. They serve a crucial role in defining the day to day operations of Congress, and in setting the direction in which the Legislative Branch leads the country. The current book recounts the story of Congress through anecdotes and complements the author’s earlier work Preside~tj~Z Anecdotes. These stories come from a variety of sources: as members’ diaries, excerpts from speeches, and newspaper accounts. The anecdotes tell us the human story behind the history makers. They add a new dimension to our knowledge of Congress. Congress has had many colorful, intelligent, and interesting personalities, as well as many who were mediocre. The book is divided into ten chapters. The first chapter is historical. It looks at how Congress was established, and at the early efforts of its members to establish its role and function in the government. The remaining chapters are subdivided by categories as varied as: “CongressBashing,” which seems to be as old an exercise as the institution itself; “Manners and Morals,” which have enjoyed their high and low cycles over the years; “Oratory,” which was very important