This guide is designed for federal executives and managers who have a responsibility for the planning and management of software projects and for federal staff members who are affected by, or involved in, making software changes, and who need to be aware of steps that can reduce both the difficulty and cost of software maintenance. Organized in a…

This checklist provides guidance on how to measure adequacy of control and security of computer systems, identifies areas of risk, raises management and user awareness of their stewardship responsibilities, and reviews issues relative to system documentation, maintenance, integrity, and reliability. (MBR)

Lists 27 suggestions for making cost-effective decisions when buying personal computers. Topics covered include physical comfort; modem speed; color graphics; institutional discounts; direct-order firms; brand names; replacing versus upgrading; expanding hard disk capacity; printers; software; wants versus needs; and RLIN (Research Libraries…

The "average" costs of integrated library system components--including hardware, software, and related expenses--are outlined to assist in projecting the costs of a small system. Potential benefits of such systems, i.e., areas in which operational costs can be reduced through their use, are also reviewed. (EJS)

Describes desktop publishing (DTP) that may be suitable for community, activist, and nonprofit groups and discusses how it is changing written communication. Topics discussed include costs; laser printers; time savings; hardware and software selection; and guidelines to consider when establishing DTP capability. (LRW)

Discussion of factors to consider in purchasing a personal computer covers present and future needs, computing environments, memory, processing performance, disk size, and display quality. Issues such as bundled systems, where and when to purchase, and vendor support are addressed; and an annotated bibliography of 28 recent articles is included.…