Future directions for machine-readable data bases and their use

Abstract

Prior to discussing my views on the future directions of machine-readable data bases and their use, it is appropriate to indicate the point of departure. The history of the use of machine-readable data bases by the public commenced in the late 1960s and has progressed from a small-scale batchsearching activity, where services were largely restricted to SDI and operators were delighted if a system could be made to be self-supporting, to the current large-scale on-line retrospective and SDI service, where individual organizations are not only "for profit" but are making profits and operating with budgets in the tens of millions of dollars per year.