Infonautics' Homework Helper Revolutionizes Online Research for Students

Strategic Insights -

Prodigy, an online service, will begin offering Infonautics' Homework Helper on February 15, 1995, allowing children to perform sophisticated online research by simply asking a question in plain English. The Homework Helper, a complete family reference library, searches millions of pages of content in dozens of databases, retrieving text and images from leading sources such as Simon & Schuster, Gannett, Reuters, and others. This innovative tool uses built-in intelligence to simplify research, making it easy and fun for students to explore a vast wealth of content, including full text encyclopedias, international news wires, and guidebooks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Homework Helper searches millions of pages of content in dozens of databases, providing relevant articles and images ranked in order of relevance.
  • The tool uses built-in intelligence to understand natural language queries, eliminating the need for Boolean logic or arcane database access languages.
  • Students can narrow the database search to specified dates, authors, subjects, or publications, and can also ask the Homework Helper to retrieve only materials appropriate to their age or reading level.
  • The Homework Helper works on any Windows compatible computer, with initial availability on the Prodigy online service.
  • Monthly subscriptions to the Homework Helper cost $9.95 for two hours of usage, with additional hours available at Prodigy's "plus" rate of $2.95 an hour.
  • Infonautics' President Marvin Weinberger aims to make the Homework Helper a fun and empowering tool for students to become academic achievers.
  • The Homework Helper is the first product from Infonautics Corp., founded in November 1992 to create accessible and affordable electronic information services.

Statistics:

  • 150 full text newspapers
  • 400 magazines
  • Millions of pages of content in dozens of databases
  • Thousands of full text encyclopedias
  • 150 million words from leading sources (estimated)
  • Pricing: $9.95 per month for two hours of usage, $2.95 per hour additional
  • Availability: Prodigy online service, Windows compatible computers

Sources:

  • Infonautics Corporation press release, February 6, 1995
  • Edelman Public Relations, 415/968-4033