Discusses the general characteristics of database management systems and file systems. Also gives a basic framework for evaluating such software and suggests characteristics that should be considered when buying software for specific scientific applications. A list of vendor addresses for popular database management systems is included. (JN)

A complex freestanding optical mark recognition (OMR) scanner is one which is not on-line to an external processor; it has intelligence stemming from an internal processor located within the unit or system. The advantages and disadvantages of a complex OMR can best be assessed after identifying the scanning needs and constraints of the potential…

Discusses the growing importance of machine readable data files (MRDFs) as library reference tools, and describes the policies and services for MRDFs developed at the University of Florida libraries. Guidelines to selecting, acquiring, and planning for MRDFs are appended, along with examples of ERIC records for MRDFs. (four references) (CLB)

Focuses on the three components of legacy in the information industry: data, systems, and human factors. Discusses psychological legacy data; data conversions; characteristics of legacy systems for the information industry; database producers; standards; evaluating legacy from a financial perspective; financial considerations for database…

Provides a checklist of concerns for libraries planning to implement shared research databases in a consortium environment, based on experiences at OhioLINK. Highlights include database selection criteria, licensing, pricing, funding, vendor considerations, database profiling, custom data processing, hardware selection, database access,…

Selected papers and reports on discussions from a Conference of University Administrators are presented. Contents are as follows: "Performance Assessment and the Management of Universities for the 1990s"--extract from a paper by J. Sizer; "Opportunities to Assist the Career Development of Administrators in British…

Describes traditional evaluation methods educators use for proposed administrative computer systems. Points out the need for an emphasis on portability as an important evaluation criteria. Discusses future trends in hardware and software costs and their effect on providing computer services to educational institutions. (TW)

The development of a complex, highly computerized system of performance indicators by the State University of New York provides the means to monitor internal progress, report to a skeptical public, and compare the system's performance with a national sample of institutions. The system is described here, and the performance indicators and data…