Major Revision of the Clearinghouse for Subject Oriented Internet Resource Guides

Strategic Insights -

The Clearinghouse, an Internet based collection of more than 200 subject specific guides, provides access to thousands of free Internet information resources. Since its inception, the Clearinghouse has been a popular resource, assisting over 1 million users annually in finding the information they need. With sample guide topics including biotechnology, film and video, employment opportunities, and environmental studies, the Clearinghouse aims to establish a value-added model for Internet resource selection, description, and evaluation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Clearinghouse has been a popular resource, assisting over 1 million users annually, with more than 200 subject specific guides providing access to thousands of free Internet information resources.
  • The topical guides provide objective descriptions and subjective evaluations, as well as instructions for accessing the resources, developed and maintained by authors on remote computers worldwide.
  • Karen Schneider, President of Blue Highways Internet Services, praises the Clearinghouse as a vital first stop for any major research project, citing its guide to nonprofit public service organizations as a particularly valuable resource.
  • Major improvements to the Clearinghouse include a new organizational scheme, an enhanced graphical interface, and a series of title pages providing consistent information about each guide.
  • Future plans for the Clearinghouse include the integration of a keyword search capability and guide evaluations, aiming to set a higher standard for guide quality and increase the Clearinghouse's popularity and success.
  • The Clearinghouse was founded on the belief that human effort must complement automated searching and browsing tools to make the Internet a useful information environment.
  • Argus Associates, an Internet consulting firm, officially became a co-sponsor of the Clearinghouse in February 1995 and manages the development and administration of the Clearinghouse, while the University of Michigan provides the telecommunications infrastructure.

Statistics:

  • Over 1 million users per year have utilized the Clearinghouse.
  • The Clearinghouse offers more than 200 subject specific guides.
  • Argus Associates has been managing the development and administration of the Clearinghouse since February 1995.
  • Future plans for the Clearinghouse include the integration of a keyword search capability.

Sources:

  • Argus Associates, "Argus Announces Major Revision of the Clearinghouse for Subject Oriented Internet Resource Guides," July 19, 1995, BUSINESS WIRE
  • Karen Schneider, testimony praising the Clearinghouse, July 1995, BUSINESS WIRE
  • Argus Associates, press release announcing cooperative arrangement with the University of Michigan, February 1995, BUSINESS WIRE
  • Louis Rosenfeld, quoted in Argus Associates press release, July 1995, BUSINESS WIRE