As news outlets create headlines such as "A Cloud & A Prayer," "The Cloud Is the Computer," and "Leveraging Clouds to Make You More Efficient," many readers have been left with cloud confusion. Many definitions exist for cloud computing, and a uniform definition is hard to find. In its most basic form, cloud…

Mass storage refers to the variety of ways to keep large amounts of information that are used on a computer. Over the years, the removable storage devices have grown smaller, increased in capacity, and transferred the information to the computer faster. The 8" floppy disk of the 1960s stored 100 kilobytes, or about 60 typewritten, double-spaced…

Electronic examination systems, which include Internet-based system, require extremely complicated installation, configuration and maintenance of software as well as hardware. In this paper, we present the design and development of a flexible, easy-to-use and secure examination system (e-Test), in which any commonly used computer can be used as a…

What's the worst thing that can happen to a computer? Worse than a hard disk crash, virus infection, spare assault, denial-of-service attack, hacker take-over, fire, flood or some other human, mechanical or natural disaster is a faulty backup when it is really needed. If the computer blows up, as long as the data is backed up securely, it can be…

This paper describes the efforts of the Program on Teacher Effectiveness of the Stanford Center for Research and Development in Teaching to survey and catalog available teacher training products. It is stated that the project developed from the program's own need to identify potential products which could be incorporated into the program's…

What's the worst thing that can happen to your computer? Worse than a hard disk crash, virus infection, spam assault, denial-of-service attack, hacker take-over, fire, flood, or other human, mechanical or natural disaster is a faulty backup when you really need it. If the computer blows up, as long as your data is backed up securely, you can…

Describes a dialog-program which uses basic statements available on a WANG 2200T version connected to a floppy-diskette to cross-reference a given set of keywords, author names, journal names, and specified reference numbers. Special program features are described and two references are listed. (Author/RBF)

Examines the vocabulary and chemistry of magnetic- and optical-disk storage technologies as well as their applications to the analytical laboratory. This information will allow chemists to select the proper disk systems for their laboratories and to evaluate vendors' claims. (JN)

Describes new microcomputer software and hardware which simplify data communications between computer systems. "Dumb" terminal software, programs which enhance a computer's data communications flexibility by means of character translation and data buffering, stand-alone versus integrated systems, and "smart" modems are…

Large central databases which support multicampus users require thorough planning and coordination, special communication with both users and input sources, and organized retrieval systems. In the developmental process of identifying variables that should be in the system and designating the source of that data, old habits of multiple official…

Reveals how chemical information in the form of descriptions of the chemical literature and chemical substances can be encoded as digital representations, then manipulated by computers to assist with collection, formatting, and distribution. Explains how computer-based search techniques are used to search databases that supplement traditional…

The Tarrytown Technical Information Center at General Foods produces report style searches by using upgraded equipment which allows search strategies to be stored and edited offline, thus reducing costs for both online searching and for the searcher's time. A computer program for eliminating duplicate bibliographic citations is included. (RBF)

Defines in general terms the nature of computers, describes the various types of computers, discusses the characteristics and applications of the types of computers mentioned, reviews some basic facts about computer technology and computer hardware, and outlines a set of options for libraries considering acquiring a computer system. (JL)

Today, at the end of 2007, there are evident consolidations in wireless, storage, and virtualization and the path forward seems clearer now than previously. Trends from last year continue strongly, particularly Web 2.0 and the shift to user-driven environments and Internet sites where significant data and video processing is available to those…

This book for library administrators and Federal library staff covers the application of minicomputers in Federal libraries and offers a review of minicomputer technology. A brief overview of automation explains computer technology, hardware, and software. The role of computers in libraries is examined in terms of the history of computers and…