CD-ROM interface activities could bring important changes to the industry. (CD-ROM Today)

• Published in: Information today Vol. 9; no. 5; p. 26
• Main Author: Rosen, Linda
• Format: Journal Article Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medford Information Today, Inc 01.05.1992
• Subjects: CD-ROM; CD-ROM databases; CD-ROMs; Client server computing; Computerized information storage and retrieval; Computerized subject indexing; Data exchange; Discs; Information services; Information services industry; Information storage and retrieval; Information work; Interfaces; Optical discs; Protocol; Storage; Subject indexing; User interface; User interfaces (Computers); United States > US
• ISSN: 8755-6286; 2169-0340

A major force driving a CD-ROM retrieval protocol standard is the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). The PTO wants a CD-ROM system that encourages interoperability. The National Information Standards Organization (NISO) does not want to be hasty in its decision on a standard, but the PTO's need for a solution may accelerate the process of standard selection. Four proposals have been submitted to NISO suggesting solutions to the problems presented by inconsistent interfaces in the CD-ROM industry, the latest of which is SilverPlatter Information's CD-ROM Data Exchange Standard (DXS). The SilverPlatter interface-independent retrieval protocol (IIRP) is a client-server solution that creates a link between the user interface and the database retrieval system. Other proposals being considered are: 1. Version 3.1 of the CD-ROM Read Only Data Exchange Standard (CD-RDx), 2. Structured Full-Text Query Language (SFQL), and 3. a NISO standard, Z39.50.