Online 100: Online Magazine's Field Guide to the 100 Most Important Online Databases »

This is a practical guide evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the top online databases. Concise descriptions of each database, typical search costs, advice on when not to use a certain database, and information on CD-ROM and Internet availability are all included in this essential reference for online and Internet searchers.

Library Journal

Best known for his ``Consumer Online'' column in Online magazine, O'Leary strives to share his knowledge of cyberspace in The Online 100. The intent of his book is to identify ``the most important databases in the most important subjects,'' rather than the 100 largest or most heavily used databases. While O'Leary consulted with an advisory board of online subject experts in making his choices, he fails to illuminate clearly the criteria used to select the databases featured. Still, O'Leary is the first author to attempt boldly to evaluate all the online databases and develop a guide to the supposedly most important ones. For each of the 100 databases, he presents a maximum two-page description, which includes valuable information such as little known facts about the databases, guidelines for selecting comparative databases, typical search cost, and its accessibiity on the Internet. This book is a nice companion to online database directories and search guides. Recommended for medium and large public and academic libraries. [See also Carol Tenopir's analysis, ``Picking the Best Databases,'' in her Online Databases column, LJ 7/95, p. 26-28.Ed.]Kathleen Low, California State Lib., Sacramento