I've used all three.  I like Dialog because that DB is the easiest
for even the most technology inept to play with.  It's great for PI's
to use as a "dream tool."  Spin is a good DB.  I have the micro
version and use it for quick and dirty searches.  Iris I used a
couple of years ago and thought it kludgy and incomplete.

BUT, I don't use any of these as a real source of funds.  They are
only useful as a first stage search tool.  Then I work with the
faculty to get them on the phone, calling for info, talking to
people, culling their lists.  Also, by their nature, these DB's
are always a little out of date.  You have to tell the PI's that they
are a snapshot of time, and that time was a while back.  Dialog in
particular buys it data from publishers who update less often than we
need.  You can't let the PI believe that they have definitive,
immediately useful data.  It's just not true.

I plan to buy Dialog agin this year or next, depending on the floods
and the flipping Republicans.

Spanky

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mike McCallister, Ph.D.
Director, Sponsored Programs
Southeast MIssouri State University
One University Plaza
Cape Girardeau, MO  63701
314-651-2196
fax 314-651-2001
xxxxxx@SEMOVM.SEMO.EDU
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Delbert says, "Someday, Baby. Someday, Maybe. Maybe Someday, Baby."