Describes Microsoft's Windows with Multimedia Extensions Software for the IBM PC. Topics addressed include hardware and software requirements, enhancements to the standard Windows environment, computing standards utilized, how Multimedia Extensions interacts with applications and devices, extensibility and ease of use, and CD-ROM performance…

Describes CD-ROM technology and discusses its possible uses in the classroom. Comparisons are made with videodiscs, hardware needs are discussed, influences on the role of the teacher are examined, and Grolier's "Academic American Encyclopedia," which is available on CD-ROM, is described. (LRW)

CD-Rewritable (CD-RW) is the latest advance in compact disc technology, permitting the erasure and reuse of space up to 1,000 times at a slightly higher cost than CD-Recordable (CD-R). This article reviews and rates twelve CD-RW drives and highlights packet-writing software that allows files to be recorded a few at a time by dropping them onto the…

Discusses topics related to systems for in-house CD-ROM development: functions, including data capture, data conversion, data editing, indexing, database construction, simulation/testing, and formatting; components, including hardware, the processor, peripherals, and selection considerations; software, including the operating system, system…

Provides an introduction to CD-ROM networking. Highlights include LAN (local area network) architectures for CD-ROM networks, peer-to-peer networks, shared file and dedicated file servers, commercial software/vendor solutions, problems, multiple hardware platforms, and multimedia. Six figures illustrate network architectures and a sidebar contains…

A computer expert describes two stand-alone, multimedia CD-ROM computer systems suitable for school and public libraries: a budget version for less than $2000 and a power version for about $3000. Recommends specific personal computer models, monitors, operating systems, processors, RAM (random access memory), hard drives, video subsystems, CD-ROM…

Examines common CD-ROM networking architectures: via existing operating systems (OS), thin server towers, and dedicated servers. Discusses digital video disc (DVD) and non-CD/DVD optical storage solutions and presents case studies of networks that work. (PEN)

The Center for Business Information and the Goizueta Business School at Emory University (Georgia) tested desktop videoconferencing as a means to deliver reference services, including consultation, documentation, training, and sharing of CD-ROM databases. Provides a brief overview of the technology, describes project beta testing, and discusses…

Discusses current technology for electronic publishing, including various options in desktop-based, television-based, and portable platforms, and describes the capabilities of CD-I (compact disk-interactive). Future directions for electronic publishing in the areas of networking, potential for creativity in producing multimedia versions of titles,…

Describes the hardware components of a CD-ROM workstation and offers guidelines for selection decisions. Components discussed include CD-ROM drives; keyboards; monitors, including color and monochrome; graphics; microcomputers, including memory requirements; disk storage, including hard disks and floppy disks; and printers. Turnkey systems are…

Examines the practical realities of upgrading Intel personal computers in libraries, considering budgets and technical personnel availability. Highlights include adding RAM; putting in faster processor chips, including clock multipliers; new hard disks; CD-ROM speed; motherboards and interface cards; cost limits and economic factors; and…

Describes three schools that are successfully developing digital multimedia portfolios for use by students and teachers. A sidebar provides information on the tools (software and hardware) helpful in setting up digital portfolio projects. (JKP)

Describes hardware, software, and peripherals that were installed to network a stand-alone CD-ROM workstation in the library of a small K-12 school with similar computers in the computer laboratory. Experiences with two CD-ROM products--a full-text database of social science articles and an electronic version of World Book Encyclopedia--are…

Provides guidelines for selection of a local area network for a high school library and discusses network and equipment costs and computer requirements, including recommendations regarding monitors, printers, compact disk players, mouse devices, and computer architecture. A second article reviews new technology exhibited at a recent computer…

Describes possible future uses of multimedia computers for instructional applications. Highlights include databases; publishing; telecommunications; computers and videocassette recorders (VCRs); audio and video digitizing; video overlay, or genlock; still-image video; videodiscs and CD-ROM; and hypermedia. (LRW)