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334 THE e REVOLUTION

These portals are more than vendor websites. They also feature news and
white papers on subjects of interest and direct links to many areas of interest,
sometimes determined by a user profile. A special feature of some portals is the
ability to subscribe to online software on a by-use basis. This option is offered as
an alternative to owning or buying a license. Some portals also offer premium ser-
vices to users who sign up for such on a fee basis.

One could get carried away with all the available portals, leading to extreme
redundancy. But a few select portals, configured to serve your defined area of in-
terest, can be a valuable reference tool and a gateway to other needed services.