Access to old DIALOG databases...

[www.atarimania.com]

I was wondering whether anybody ever used DIALOG to access archives or old online databases.

 

One of the files of interest to us Atari 8-bit users is the Microcomputer Software Guide - DIALOG number 278 - which lists commercial packages by publisher / system. I have the equivalent printed edition for 1986, The Software Encyclopedia published by R. R. Bowker, and it's a goldmine of information for digital media archaeologists.

 

I phoned ProQuest asking how an independent researcher could get this information and was told you had to be part of an institution or university to be able to log in and request said files.

 

Does anybody know if there's a way around this? Are there other sources for the material?

 

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Atari Frog

http://www.atarimania.com

[_The Doctor__]

Perhaps College or University student could retrieve archives for you...

[+Mr Robot]

Maybe Kevin Savetz can help? He has connections to Archive.org which is a library and member of ALA so they should be a valid institution according to the ProQuest website.

[www.atarimania.com]

That's a great idea, thanks for the replies so far!

 

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Atari Frog

http://www.atarimania.com

[Savetz]

That sounds like a fun project. I bet there's all sorts of gems locked in those old databases. Your best bet for access to Proquest Dialog is through your local library or university. MY library system has access to many databases but not that one. Check with yours. Also even if you don't attend a university, you can probably access those database from computers in their library.

[Lord Thag]

Great idea, hope someone can get access. I agree, probably lots of cool stuff stored away there

[www.atarimania.com]

Thanks for replying, I'll see what I can do!

 

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Atari Frog

http://www.atarimania.com

[jhd]

I have never used it, so I have no idea what resources are available/what we have access to, but my library apparently also has access to Dialog.

 

As I understand it, the cost of a search is passed along to the requester, so make sure you inquire before starting lest you be surprised with a substantial bill. I think that the searches are done by an experienced staff member; there is no direct public access.