Provides guidelines for schools choosing a media retrieval system. Topics include broadband, baseband, coaxial cable, or fiber optic decisions; the control network; selecting scheduling software; presentation software; device control; control from the classroom; and a comparison of systems offered by five companies. (LRW)

Review of upgrades to IBM and Macintosh software includes personal experiences with DOS 5.0, PC Tools Version 7, and Microsoft Word 5.5. Reasons for and problems with upgrades are then discussed, including alternatives to upgrading and problems with skipping upgrades. Guidelines for deciding whether to upgrade and notes from the literature for…

Provides a guide to online search strategies for information about software packages and software reviews, including descriptions of appropriate databases and search access points for databases. (CLB)

Discusses computer viruses that attack the Macintosh and describes Symantec AntiVirus for Macintosh (SAM), a commercial program designed to detect and eliminate viruses; sample screen displays are included. SAM is recommended for use in library settings as well as two public domain virus protection programs. (four references) (MES)

Describes utility programs available for posttransfer processing files that have been downloaded from the Internet. Highlights include file compression; viewing graphics files; converting binary files to ASCII files; and how to find utility programs. (LRW)

This issue presents 11 articles that address issues relating to the production of CD-ROMs. Highlights include current uses of CD-ROM; standards; steps involved in producing CD-ROMs, including data capture, conversion, and tagging, product design, and indexing; authoring; selecting indexing and retrieval software; costs; multimedia CD-ROMs; and…

Provides the rationale and purpose underlying an evaluation of criteria form appropriate for inquiry-based science software or interactive multimedia programs. A copy of the form is included. (JJK)

A system to aid in the post-mortem debugging of assembler language programs written for the IBM System/360-370 series of computers is described in this master's thesis. A user's manual for the system, with descriptions of user requirements, Job Control Language (JCL) statements, and system output, comprises the first chapter. The program logic…

Provides criteria for selection of microcomputer communications software for asynchronous (serial) communication and for communication with host computers. The following features are discussed: (1) communication options; (2) transmitting data; (3) receiving data; (4) filtering; (5) translating; (6) special features; and (7) general features such…

Presents a history of computer viruses, explains various types of viruses and how they affect software or computer operating systems, and describes examples of specific viruses. Available vaccines are explained, and precautions for protecting programs and disks are given. (nine references) (LRW)

This fact sheet offers basic instructions on connecting to the ERIC database for individuals who own or have access to a microcomputer and are familiar with ERIC and how to search it through a database terminal. Software, hardware, and telephone line components necesary to make a microcomputer act as a database terminal are outlined. The…

Examines and explains Anglo American Cataloging Rules, 2d edition, chapter 9, and ALA Committee on Cataloging: Description and Access for catalogers not familiar with microcomputers. Seven full descriptive cataloging examples of microcomputer software using these guidelines are included. (Author/CDD)

Describes how to identify microcomputer problems and determine whether the services of a technician are required by troubleshooting, or using a process of elimination, without needing a technical background or special tools. Prevention methods and the use of diagnostic programs are also explained. (EM)

Discussion of lack of room when downloading long searches onto a word processor focuses on three remedies: (1) choosing the right word processor; (2) using a utility program, such as CHOP2 or SPLIT.EXE; and (3) using the EDLIN program, which is part of a DOS disk. (five references) (LRW)

Discusses issues to be considered when networking multimedia CD-ROMs. Topics addressed include CD-ROM networking software; license concerns; configurations for CD-ROM servers; data caching; SCSI devices; CD-ROM drives; workstation configurations, including minimum requirements for five popular CD-ROM titles; and system setup troubleshooting tips.…