Explains the development of WAP (wireless application protocol), how it works, and what the major advantages and disadvantages are, especially when applied to the use of information. Topics include standardization; mobile communications; the effect of WAP on business tools, electronic commerce, and information services; consumers; corporate users;…

The vast amount of readily available information is just one reason for transforming the way in conducting research and acquiring knowledge. The nature of information itself has changed. In text and other formats, information is not just created by experts--it is created and co-created by amateurs. More than ever before, people can choose what,…

Universities and colleges generate extraordinary quantities of knowledge and innovation, but in many ways the academy struggles to keep pace with the digital revolution. Growing pressures are reshaping how universities must do business--students expecting enhanced access and support, administrators eager to make data-driven strategic decisions,…

Intended to present information about the activities and use of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system that are available through the ERIC clearinghouses, this report briefly describes the variety of activities, methods, and services that are employed in the dissemination of the system's educational information. After a short…

Describes the background of TV for Learning, a project to produce and distribute instructional television (ITV) awareness materials, and the project's creation of a sound film to spotlight successful ITV series, local promotion and awareness campaigns, and coordination of a variety of delivery activities to assist local ITV directors. (CMV)

Provides a history of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) union and its information services and research functions. Examines the research department and the influence of technology, shifting from collecting information to using information from the Internet and online databases that has made access easier. Analyzes information services with…

Despite investment in new research tools and techniques, the product development success rate has not improved within the last 25 years. One way to increase the success rate is to have the right information at each stage of the process. Today, a relatively new method of gathering information--online access to electronic files called…

Traditionally engineers are not heaviest users of information resources. This can be traced to lack of emphasis on information sources in engineering education. Failure to use available knowledge leads to reinventing the wheel and losing the race for technological superiority. Few U.S. universities offer formal courses in information resources in…

Discussion of the search process in the online information field focuses on what information professionals do after the data have been gathered and are ready to be presented to the end user. An example is given using a framework developed at Henkel Research Corporation that puts results in a more helpful context. (LRW)

Presents an approach to using online sources of information for competitor intelligence (i.e., monitoring industry and tracking activities of competitors); identifies principal sources; and suggests some ways of making use of online databases. Types and sources of information and sources and database charts are appended. Eight references are…

Highlights a set of professional competencies that need to be developed by library and information professionals. Topics include collection development skills; collection processing skills, including knowledge analysis, knowledge synthesis, knowledge repackaging, and knowledge retrieval; collection service skills; user education skills; and…

Describes a project conducted by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to determine the possibility of establishing indicators to concretely measure the relevance of information to decision-making processes in the context of assistance to developing countries. Use of a computer conference and a workshop to develop a model are…

Provides a method of classifying and exemplifying the types of discrepancies which are commonly found after comparisons of the content of scientific papers with their bibliographies. Lists and explains some of the major discrepancies and offers strategies for dealing with the problems. (ML)

Imagine if, at the start of the school year, a teacher could have detailed information about the academic history of every student in her or his classroom. This is possible if the teacher can log on to a Web site that provides access to an educational data warehouse. The teacher would see not only several years of state assessment results, but…

This international collection of papers on the role of technical information in the engineering profession contains 18 discussions on the following: activities of the Committee on Engineering Information (CEI) of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO); engineering information in the framework of UNESCO/UNISIST; industrial and…