Describes planning of workshops for training online user groups including establishment of a committee, choice of theme and format, funding, and publicity arrangements. A list of do's and don't's is included. (RAA)

Operating procedures are explained for COSMOS (County of San Mateo Online System), a computerized information retrieval system designed for the San Mateo Educational Resources Center (SMERC), which provides interactive access to both ERIC and a local file of fugitive documents. COSMOS hardware and modem compatibility requirements are reviewed,…

Argues that online searching in terms of both recall and precision improves when search results are checked, and identifies many problems that a searcher should look out for. Numerous examples of printouts illustrate these problems. (JD)

Describes the characteristics of System Development Corporation's (SDC) online index to its database, "Database Index," and presents the results of various test searches to demonstrate the limitations and benefits of the new online file. (JD)

Intended for parents of disabled children, the article explains the basics of telecommunications including uses, terminology (i.e. modem, baud rate, upload and download, protocol), shopping for a modem, telecommunications software, and what to expect when you log on. Sample online services are listed. (DB)

Intended for the experienced TUTOR author who needs a quick reference for the form of a tag and for some of the restrictions on commands, this summary does not discuss the fine details of the TUTOR language. Brief descriptions of the purpose and the tag are provided for each command. The commands are grouped in nine categories: calculating (C),…

This article offers a working definition and general comments on the purchasing of library turnkey systems (package including hardware and software required to accomplish a clearly defined task). Turnkey versus customized, selecting a turnkey system, request for proposal, contracting with vendors, and post installation evaluation are discussed.…

Intended for the experienced TUTOR author who needs a quick reference for the form of a tag and for some of the restrictions on commands, this summary does not discuss the fine details of the TUTOR language. Brief descriptions of the purpose and the tag are provided for each command. The commands are grouped in nine categories: calculating (C),…

Three aspects of training and education for online searching of bibliographic and databases are addressed: (1) the present status--what is being taught, (2) a proposed model--what needs to be taught, and (3) the implementation of the model--who should teach what. The first section shows which organizations (library and information schools,…

Beginning with two different scenarios depicting a face-to-face conference on the one hand and, on the other, a computer or electronic conference, the author argues the advantages of electronic conferencing and describes some of its uses. (JBM)

Provides descriptions of 14 databases that contain citations to audiovisual instructional materials: AGRICOLA, AVLINE, AVMARC, BIOETHICSLINE, CATLINE, CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, DRUG INFO, ERIC, EXCEPTIONAL CHILD EDUCATION RESOURCES (ECER), LIBCON, NICEM, NICSEM/NIMIS, NIMH, and OCLC. Information for each includes subject content, update frequency,…

Explains the benefits of storing online search strategies on cassette tape for use with communications terminals that have tape units attached. An appendix describes the process of recording and running a search on a Texas Instruments Silent 700 Series, Model 733 ASA Data Terminal. (FM)

Introduces the reader to the Food Science and Technology Abstracts, a data file that covers worldwide literature on human food commodities and aspects of food processing. Topics include scope, subject index, thesaurus, searching online, and abstracts; tables provide a comparison of ORBIT and DIALOG versions of the file. (JD)

Profiles the new bibliographic database devoted solely to scholarly articles of political science. Two "searchguides" compare the Lockheed/DIALOG and SDC/ORBIT versions of the file. (JD)

Provides tips for effective use of interactive distance-learning technology, including graphics, planning, working with cameras and monitors, and cooperating with support technicians. (JOW)