SAUDI-ARABIAN NATIONAL DATA-BASES AND USE OF GULFNET BITNET AT KFUPM LIBRARY, DHAHRAN/

This article traces the establishment and functions of the King Abdula ziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the development of national data bases. The data bases, accessible by the public, are introduced with their subject coverage and number of r ecords. The first computer network in the Arab world, GULFNET, which p rovides communication among the academic communities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, including services available t hrough GULFNET and KFUPM Library, are discussed in detail. The evaluat ion of the three most frequently used of KACST's data bases is made by using the statistics of the last 8 years. The founding of BITNET in t he USA is explained, together with its GULFNET connection in the Arab world and use at KFUPM Library with different commands. Finally, while suggesting a few points regarding the effective use of GULFNET, KACST 's data bases and the possibilities of INTERNET use, the future domina nce of organizational networks for the purposes of educational and sci entific etc., communications in the near future is emphasized. (C) 199 5 Academic Press Limited