Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!psuvax1!rutgers!uwvax!meteor!tobis
From: tobis@meteor.wisc.edu (Michael Tobis)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Database on ICs and so on available?
Keywords: database
Message-ID: <1991Apr18.230613.8110@meteor.wisc.edu>
Date: 18 Apr 91 23:06:13 GMT
References: <7738877@obh.in-berlin.de> <1991Apr15.041155.11588@colorado.edu>
Organization: University of Wisconsin, Meteorology and Space Science
Lines: 25


Back in the unlamented days when I worked in a commercial setting (ca. 5
yrs ago) we subscribed to a service called Videolog (or video dog, as we
affectionately called it) which purported to provide this service, as
well as NAPLPS videotex of pinouts & timing diagrams, although the latter
were invariably missing at the time. Haven't heard from them lately &
don't know if they are still in business.

As I recall, it turned out to have limited utility. Consider searching for
a nonstandard part, on the basis of the approximate function you need. Clearly
you don't know its part number or manufacturer. Typically, you can think of a
dozen ways to describe the thing. However, if you knew what it was actually
called, you'd probably know who made it. Keyword searches invariably turned
into blind alleys.

Asking around until you find someone who knows is still the only method I
can think of to reliably find what you need.

Just the same, one wishes there were a unified source, rather than the 
current system of trying to keep on every manufacturer's mailing list.

But a CD would be much preferabe to a pay-as-you-go online service. On the
other hand, getting updates might prove to be a problem...

mt