Exhibit 99.8


                           CONSENT OF PERSON NAMED AS
                           ABOUT TO BECOME A DIRECTOR

      The undersigned, who has agreed to serve as a member of the Board of
Directors of Infonautics, Inc. (the "Company") hereby grants the Company consent
to use his name in its Registration Statement on Form S-4 and all amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement.


Dated:  July 18, 2001

                                          /s/ Alan Lipton
                                          ------------------------------
                                          Alan Lipton