Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!casbah.acns.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request From: djcl@contact.uucp (woody) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Phonefiche Directories Message-ID: Date: 10 Mar 91 05:27:22 GMT Sender: news@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Mr. News) Organization: TELECOM Digest Lines: 39 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 191, Message 4 of 11 Originator: telecom@delta.eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: hub.eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu One interesting item I've run across in recent times is the Phonefiche, which is a set of telephone directories on microfiche. Many public libraries have a Phonefiche set, which lists various points in North America. A few things to note: 1) Phonefiche tends to be available on a population category basis. Category 5 covers communities of 100 000 or more. Category 7 will cover populations 40 000 or more. Presumably more comprehensive categories will cost more to purchase. One way to tell if you're getting Category 5 or not is whether or not the fiche set contains the Port Huron, MI directory (available in category 7, but not in 5). 2) some directories are available for Puerto Rico, as well as a few European points now (UK, Switzerland). 3) Canadian directories are available on fiche This would seem to be an ideal way for a large company to bypass much of the pains associated with long distance directory assistance charging that is all the rage in the U.S. While directory information has a significant "churn" (ie. changing, new or deleted listings), the phone book information can be accurate most of the time. Not to mention the residential users who might be able to find a fiche set at a library, thereby saving some cash (assuming any free DA calls have been used up). The company that puts out the Phonefiche is UMI, reachable at 300 North Zeeb Rd, Ann Arbor MI 48106; tel (800) 521.0600 or (313) 761.4700. Disclaimer: I don't claim to speak for UMI, nor do I have any connection with them. This is posted for informational purposes only... [Moderator's Note: UMI is also known as University Microfilms. They preserve many old newspapers, magazines and such on microfilm. PAT]