ABSTRACT

This chapter represents mainly long-term survivors in the library systems marketplace. These firms began generally during a time in which mainframes or minicomputers represented the only viable platforms for online, multiuser interactive systems. Typical of the regional networks attached to the Internet is the Minnesota Regional Network (MRNet). It is an NSFnet affiliate that provides connections for the Minnesota Super Computer Center, the University of Minnesota campuses, the Minnesota State University system and many smaller traffic connection sites on a subscription basis. The ability to provide transparent links to other computer systems from the local host’s user menu includes hosts addressed through the Internet. This makes it possible to give library users easy access to a selection of most often desired external resources. Concurrent multiuser systems range from microcomputer hosted to very large shared or dedicated mainframe computers. These systems permit many users to activate specific functions simultaneously.