As more of commerce, entertainment, communication, and learning are occurring over the Web, the amount of data online activities generate is skyrocketing. Commercial entities have led the way in developing techniques for harvesting insights from this mass of data for use in identifying likely consumers of their products, in refining their products…

This report discusses the development and characteristics of the Prospective Student Inquiry Data File and Information System, which is used by the California State University at Chico (CSUC) as part of an effort to increase its student applicant population. Following a brief review of organizational background information, the report is divided…

Outlines evaluative criteria and compares optical data disk products used in library technical processes, including bibliographic records for cataloging, acquisition databases, and local public access catalogs. An extensive table provides information on specific products, including updates, interfaces, edit screens, installation help, manuals,…

Discusses issues which will have an impact on database searching for the next five years: (1) quality control; (2) more inhouse databases; (3) changes in database visuals; (4) pricing policies; and (5) market changes. A number of favorable and unfavorable changes unlikely to occur within five years are also noted. (MES)

The distributed data processing system at an Indiana school district can be expanded without causing degradation in response time. Microcomputers are used for daily data entries, and to initiate data inquiries to the mainframe and to communicate with each other. (MLF)

Designed to characterize journals as part of the selection process for journals to be included in an information retrieval database, two studies used bibliometric techniques to examine patterns of publishing and topic patterns and coverage, and a third developed a rule-based system to evaluate the qualities of a journal. (CLB)

This annual review of the library automation marketplace presents profiles of 15 major library automation firms and looks at emerging trends. Seventeen charts and tables provide data on market shares, number and size of installations, hardware availability, operating systems, and interfaces. A directory of 49 automation sources is included. (MES)

The proper combination of computer hardware and software with database subscription services make online information retrieval available to enhance decision making in virtually all aspects of school administration. (MLF)

Good computer files can help colleges find, manage, and solicit alumni volunteers. In 1978 Rhodes College began creating detailed records on alumni and friends, entering gift and biographical data, mostly in coded form, into computerized personal files. (MLW)

A survey of 133 academic libraries reveals that most make online bibliographic retrieval services available to off-campus clients at prices higher than those charged to primary patrons. Extra charges are not inconsequential, being approximately $15/search or 38 percent of search costs. Eight references, questionnaire, and list of online vendors…

An overview is provided of the methods used by the Forest Park campus of St. Louis Community College (SLCC) to plan and develop a local area network (LAN) for administrative microcomputers. The first three sections provide brief descriptions of the SLCC District, SLCC, and the Forest Park campus. Section IV looks at the organization of…

Reports the results of a national survey of online systems in academic libraries which gathered information on acquisitions, serials, circulation, cataloging, interlibrary loan, and integrated systems. The results include relationships between library characteristics, such as size, and library reports of present systems and future plans, methods…

The computerized database of Project MERLIN (Migrant Education Resource List Information Network) contains information about people, programs, and written materials, and a survey was designed to determine whether MERLIN's listing of scopes and topics was appropriate for classifying the database's content. The survey was distributed to MERLIN's…

Discusses the George Washington University Library's experiences as a test site for Silver Platter/Psychlit. Advantages of the CD-ROM concept, including visibility, accessibility, costs, and sophistication, are noted; crucial issues in deciding whether to acquire a CD-ROM product are considered; and CD-ROM is described as a means for integrating…

The University of Rochester's experience with online analytical processing (OLAP), part of its executive information system, is reported. The server, a multiuser, local area network (LAN)-based database loaded from legacy systems or a data warehouse, can rapidly manipulate and display data, and allows quick creation and changing of analytical…