This fact sheet about the INTERNET Gopher, an information distribution system combining features of electronic bulletin board services and databases, describes information availability, gateways with other servers, how the system works, and how to access Gopher. Addresses and telephone numbers for additional information or news about Gopher are…

Virus programs have become a significant problem in the computer industry. The effects of these programs have been publicized widely. Anyone working with microcomputers cannot have escaped exposure to the term. Yet, there are a large number of people (teachers in particular) who have only vague notions of what viruses are. This paper provides a…

Describes issues an organization must consider when preparing for the creation and installation of an international wide area network (WAN) to help link developing countries. Hardware and software needs are considered; the use of commercial vendors is discussed; a needs assessment is described; and technical and cultural difficulties are…

Speech recognition technology helps people with disabilities interact with computers more easily. People with motor limitations, who cannot use a standard keyboard and mouse, can use their voices to navigate the computer and create documents. The technology is also useful to people with learning disabilities who experience difficulty with spelling…

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.…

This paper discusses the factors involved in making decisions about a multimedia display system. Theoretical factors, including gaining and holding learner attention, specific attention-getting devices, encoding and retrieval of information by learners, and presentation of information are considered. Ways that video is associated with computer…

This guide, designed to help institutions plan integrated information systems which will enable them to meet their needs for data on foreign students was developed during a 3-day seminar in February, 1984. The first of five chapters provides a brief introduction on how to use the planning guide. Chapter 2 contains information designed to guide the…

The three articles in this special section on document image files discuss intelligent character recognition, including comparison with optical character recognition; selection of displays for document image processing, focusing on paperlike displays; and imaging hardware, software, and vendors, including guidelines for system selection. (MES)