Re: Eighteenth-century STC
Dave Postles (pot@leicester.ac.uk)
Fri, 3 Mar 1995 08:39:59 +0000
Readers of H-Albion might be interested to learn that there was
an extended discussion of the ESTC on another discussion list, the one
dedicated to eighteenth-century studies (C18-L). It included a complaint
of my own concerning the pricing policies of RLG (Research Libraries
Group) and RLIN, several complaints/comments by others, and rejoinders by
Connie Gould, on behalf of the RLG. The cost of individual search
accounts to ESTC is $190 for 200 searches, with access through direct
dial or internet only.
I do not wish to reproduce the arguments here, but I am sorry I
cannot explain to readers of H-Albion exactly how to retrieve the posts
on this particular subject (at least one of which was mis-headed
"ETSC.") Over the past few days, I have tried to use the "index" command
to retrieve particular subjects from C18-L, but so far have failed.
The main discussion took place in November and December 1994, and
it should at least be possible to request the relevant log
for those dates, using the Index command. Send the command to
Listserv at C18-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU. C18-L is a relatively high-volume list,
so be prepared for a long document. There has also been some discussion
about placing information about ESTC on a C18-L FAQ file but, so far as I
know at this point, C18-L has yet to set up either a gopher or a FAQ file
(I'm a few weeks behind).
According to Mary Rothe, who was kind enough to cross-post it to
C18-L, a description of ESTC can also be found on the Research Libraries
Group Home Page on the World Wide Web.
There can be no question about the potential value of ESTC for
scholars in all areas of British Studies, as subsequent posts to that
list make clear. I continue to regret its comparative inaccessibility.
Margaret DeLacy
margaret@teleport.COM Public Access User --- Not affiliated with TECHbooks
Public Access UNIX and Internet at (503) 220-1016 (2400-14400, N81)