Transferring records from CD-ROM to an inhouse database: some practical experiences

The task of inputting records into an inhouse database for use in instructing students and for research into retrieval techniques, is now assumed to be cheap and easy by means of record transfer from CD‐ROM. During a recent operation of this kind a number of unforeseen problems were encountered, and the whole operation required 20 sub‐operations. But the task was quite successful, so it was decided to retrace the steps and measure carefully the time taken and computer storage requirements needed.