The typical Internet search often involves blundering around on the Net, trying various keyword searches, scanning subject guides, and hoping none of the intervening networks crash until serendipity lends a hand. CyberSearch offers a more structured and dependable search approach, even though the Lycos database is far from complete. Downloading large amounts of software from the Net takes time. Once again, ready access to these programs on a CD-ROM can be more convenient and expeditious. Take a look in the back of a consumer computer magazine or browse the racks of a local software store.
Some software is available on floppies, but the CD-ROMs contain many more programs.
A wide variety of CD-ROMs loaded with shareware and freeware are available. These CD-ROMs can be an efficient mechanism for individuals or organizations that make heavy use of anonymous FTP archives. The better CD-ROMs may contain more detailed descriptions of the software programs or provide suggestions about which programs can solve certain problems. Best of all, the software on the disc can be combined with unique search engines and detailed indexing. Like CyberSearch, these software discs will need to be updated regularly.