That is, a search algorithm allows you to find references to a name within a body of text. This is helpful when dealing with common names. CDs can assist a beginning researcher to gather information which can later be verified from original sources. It can be expensive to purchase CDs only to discover that there is very little information that applies. If a CD is created from microfilm extraction the CD will be no better than the quality of the original microfilm.
Readers are expensive and very bulky.
Archival CD Services converts microfilm to CD-ROM images. CD purchase is comparable in cost to renting microfilms or buyng them. However, a microfilm image may be 2500 characters per inch in resolution and by the time it is converted to CD it may be 200 dpi. If the microfilm image was poor, the CD graphic image will be worse, especially if not computer enhanced. It is not always accurate.