PINET PLUS OPENS VIRTUAL OFFICE FOR PHYSICISTS ON THE WEB 

Two-Week Free Trial Offered

Woodbury, NY, April 5-PINET Plus (the Physics Information NETsite Plus), a
subscription-only World Wide Web site for physicists and associated
scientists, is fully operational and ready for visitors, Frank Perugini,
PINET Plus product manager, announced today. 

Sponsored by the American Institute of Physics, a major publisher of
physics research, PINET Plus is marking its launch by offering two free
weeks of access to its full range of services. In addition, a 20%
first-year discount is available for trial users who convert to full-time
subscriptions. 

"If you're a member of an AIP Member Society, the subscription rate works
out to less than $4.50 a month," Perugini said. "For this low fee you have
access to research databases, member directories, and news services that
put the world of physics at your fingertips-all in a thoroughly
hyperlinked, totally graphical Web environment." 

Potential subscribers can register online at http://www.aip.org/pinet/. 

Darlene Walters, AIP's Vice President of Publishing, emphasized the
extensive scope of PINET Plus. But she also stressed its convenience and
practicality. 

"To the working physicist, the Internet is not a new toy, but an integral
part of a working day," Walters said. "We've made PINET Plus a reliable,
inexpensive site where you can access essential research materials
quickly. It's provides a fast and easy way to keep current with what's new
and contact your colleagues worldwide. In short, it's a place to visit
every day." 

"The idea is to save subscribers a lot of legwork," Perugini said, "which
means making massive amounts of information available as quickly as
possible." 

PINET Plus subscribers are able to search the continually updated SPIN
(Searchable Physics Information Notices) and Advanced SPIN databases with
access to hundreds of thousands of abstracts from over 80 journals.
Approximately 45,000 new listings are added annually to the databases. In
addition, documents can be ordered online while searching through SPIN.
Another key feature lets subscribers get first notice of tables of
contents to three AIP journals of their choice. Contents are sent via
e-mail, with no further prompting, as early as four weeks in advance of
publication. 

Other major PINET Plus highlights include a news service offering immediate
reporting of key physics research developments and policy decisions;
cross-searchable membership directories with contact information for over
150,000 physicists around the world, and special forums for online
discussions in critical areas of contemporary physics. 

"Think of it as a virtual office suite that's composed of a research
library that never closes, a physics 'CNN' for fast-breaking news, and the
ultimate digital Rolodex for physicists around the world," Perugini said.


"To make all this possible, PINET Plus uses state-of-the-art WWW
technologies," said Peggy Judd, AIP's Director of Information Technology
and Products. "Anyone who uses PINET Plus will enjoy the best the Web has
to offer," Judd continued. "We support all popular browsers including
Netscape, Mosaic, and others. The databases use WebZ server software,
developed by the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), which provides the
gateway from the Web to PINET Plus's NISO Z39.50-compliant database
servers. Of course, as new software evolves, you'll find it in PINET Plus.
Be assured we will always offer the leading edge of online technology." 

AIP Executive Director Marc Brodsky sees PINET Plus as a logical next step
for the Institute. "With all the Internet means to the scientific
community, the question is: how do we make it more manageable? This kind
of large-scale but practically oriented Internet presence is the natural
answer to that question," Brodsky said. "PINET Plus makes information
gathering extremely efficient. But we also feel it reflects the strong
sense of community that exists among physicists and scientists in related
fields around the world." 

The American Institute of Physics is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
furthering the science of physics and its contributions to human welfare.
As a publisher and distributor, the Institute currently offers more than
80 journals, 500 books, and a variety of electronic products. 

PINET Plus Free Trial Information
http://www.aip.org/pinet/
1-800-874-6383,  516-576-2262
E-mail: pinet@aip.org

Media Contact:
Frank Perugini
516-576-2262
E-mail: pinet@aip.org

THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS
500 SUNNYSIDE BOULEVARD
WOODBURY, NY 11797-2999
 
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