Discusses issues relating to microcomputer software user interfaces: (1) accessibility; (2) ease of learning versus speed and flexibility; (3) arrogant versus accommodating software; (4) file management capabilities; and (5) widespread software inconveniences including copy protection, poor use of subdirectories, and bad text. (MES)

Presents a comprehensive profile of data elements for describing computer software and identifies their probable application in library catalogs, bibliographic references, program documentation, program front matter, program packaging, software catalogs, and eye-legible labels. The data elements are correlated with existing MARC tags, to provide…

Reports on major change in computer software development process--the prototype model, i.e., implementation of skeletal system that is enhanced during interaction with users. Expensive and unreliable software, software design errors, traditional development approach, resources required for prototyping, success stories, and systems designer's role…

Introduces a new column on personal computing and discusses changing uses for personal computers. Recent developments in computing periodicals--including the introduction of "PC/Computing," a major new magazine--are considered. An annotated bibliography lists 35 articles from the 1988 literature. (MES)

Discusses changes that have made desktop publishing appealing and reasonably priced. Hardware, software, and printer options for getting started and moving on, typeface developments, and the key characteristics of desktop publishing are described. The author's notes on 33 articles from the personal computing literature from January-March 1994 are…

Three methods employed to price and sell computer equipment are discussed: computer pricing, hardware pricing, system pricing (system includes complete computer and support hardware system and relatively complete software package). Advantages of system pricing are detailed, the author's system is described, and 10 systems currently available are…

Documents the history of library automation from a business perspective, examining several topics relating to characteristics of vendors, the library automation marketplace, and the measurement of vendor performance and success. Tables list library automation system vendors and outline quantitative measures of vendor performance. (138 references)…

This symposium on printed documentation covers (1) Tacoma Public Library's documentation (Lare Mischo); (2) characteristics of bad documentation (Linda Bills); (3) GEAC manuals (Joe Matthews); (4) Personal Bibliographic Software manuals (Victor Rosenberg); (5) DIALOG documentation (Barbara E. Anderson); (6) documentation problems and improvements…

Discusses microcomputer-based graphics and describes software for Windows and other operating systems. Highlights include file formats for painting and drawing; sources of artwork, including clip art, scanning, and public domain images; examples; and graphics toolkits. A review of 26 recent articles on personal computers, other hardware, and…

Discusses Web design accessibility from the perspective of a librarian who is legally blind. Explains problems encountered with the growing use of graphics as opposed to text-based sites and suggests steps that librarians can take to help make the Web more accessible. (LRW)

Describes the grant proposal process followed by the Florida State University System to develop search and retrieval software adhering to the ANSI Z39.50 standard that would operate over the Open Systems Interconnection communications protocol on the local NOTIS system. Formation of the Z39.50 Implementation Group (ZIG) is also discussed.…

Discussion of issues in management of library automation includes: (1) hardware, including systems growth and contracts; (2) software changes, vendor relations, local systems, and microcomputer software; (3) item and authority databases; (4) automation and library staff, organizational structure, and managing change; and (5) environmental issues,…

Defines and discusses the equipment and software needed to start telecommunicating: modems (speed, autodial or manual dial, stand-alone or built-in), telephones, telecommunications software, and commercial information services, including electronic mail and bulletin boards. Definitions, communications protocols, equipment features, and costs are…

Addresses concerns associated with the evolving National Information Infrastructure, including navigation; electronic bulletin board arrangements, including kiosks or sandboxes; electronic journals and electronic publishing; copyright issues, including liability issues associated with software or downloaded data; privacy rights; and collaboration…

Discusses topics related to use of search trees to enhance subject searching in online catalogs: subject searching in existing systems; search trees defined; highlights of a study of subject queries; normalized subject headings; the exact approach to subject searching; one-word queries; multiword queries; queries failing to produce retrievals; and…