CORDIS user-friendly interface and CD-ROM
During 1993 the CORDIS team plans to launch two new products, CORDIS on CD-ROM plus a user-friendly interface to online CORDIS running under Windows. After two years of successful online service on the ECHO host, these new developments will complement the existing menu and CCL systems, offering additional flexibility to CORDIS users. Both products were demonstrated at the London Online Information Exhibition during December 1992 and were very well received. Distribution of the CD-ROM is planned to begin in mid-1993. It will be updated frequently and sold with an annual subscription. Details of frequency of update and cost will be determined by user demand, but initially it is expected that the CD-ROM will be updated quarterly. Data search procedures on the CD-ROM will be simple. Users will not need to learn a query language as queries are composed by a combination of selecting files and fields with the cursor, typing in search terms and using clearly identified function keys. Information retrieval is extremely rapid. An earlier RTD-News item, in parallel with an announcement in the "ECHO Facts For Users" magazine, made a request for potential evaluators of the CD-ROM. The response was overwhelming and CORDIS extends thanks to all those who offered to help. The target of 400 evaluators was quickly met, so we extend our apologies to those who were not included as evaluators. The Beta version of the CD-ROM has now been distributed and those involved in the test are invited to send the completed evaluation forms to CORDIS by the closing date.