Presents an overview of issues concerning civilian competitive intelligence (CI). Topics discussed include competitive advantage in academic and research environments; public domain information and libraries; covert and overt competitive intelligence; data diversity; use of the Internet; cooperative intelligence; and implications for library and…

Explains the RAMA (Remote Access to Museum Archives) project, which was sponsored by the Commission of the European Communities to offer a tool to users to retrieve multimedia information from museum archives through public telecommunications networks regardless of the database type and local area network (LAN) currently used by the museum. (LRW)

Two articles by librarians attending the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) Conference in Moscow in August 1991 report on the attempted coup in the Soviet Union. The lack of locally available information is discussed, and the use of personal computers to access outside information sources is described. (LRW)

Reports on conferences held by federal agencies in 1991 and 1992 that addressed issues of public access to electronic government information. Topics discussed include agency information dissemination programs; public access to federal computers; security controls; and user charges. A working draft policy framework on public access to government…

Discussion of the NREN (National Research and Education Network) and issues of access focuses on the role of the public library. Highlights include current uses of the Internet; resource sharing; guidelines for public library service; availability of the Internet and NREN through public libraries; and a sidebar that lists sources of further…

Described is a pilot program designed to develop communication links between local science classrooms. The effects of the use of Sci-Link will be investigated. The proposed Sci-Link projects are described including stream acidity, raindrop size, rocket payloads, gypsy moth populations, and home energy use. (KR)

This issue includes six articles that discuss access to information provided by computerized databases and communications networks for legislators. Highlights include state legislative systems; information systems in the Senate; online services in the House of Representatives; information technology in the Congressional Research Service; the…

Outlines a first-day lesson plan for a first-year writing class in which the instructor engages students at the outset in building an electronic online community. Provides step-by-step methods and discusses specific advice for what to do and not to do within the context of achieving an online emphasis. (HB)

Describes how the Commerce Department's Economic Bulletin Board has been linked to the Internet to further the dissemination of government information. Topics discussed include network services; operational constraints; technical issues; costs; identifying potential customers and their information needs; and future plans. (Contains six…

Discusses the academic computing movement during the 1980s, focusing on the Faculty Workstations Project at Brown University. Six departments are compared: chemistry, cognitive and linguistic sciences, geology, music, neural science, and sociology. Discusses the theoretical implications of the study for conceptualizing the relationship of…

Common Knowledge: Pittsburgh (CK-P) is a school networking project which develops network connectivity and curricular applications in the Pittsburgh Public Schools (Pennsylvania). This article describes CK-P's network architecture; products developed, including a virtual classroom for German language instruction, online physics instruction, online…

Considers ways in which library services can be more proactive in today's networked-computer environment. Discusses how to find and use patterns of behavior, such as borrowing behavior and profiles of patrons' interests; making a CD-ROM with information describing the library's services and products; and reviving telephone reference. (LRW)

Describes a strategy for selecting a delivery method for electronic resources based on experiences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Considers local conditions, pricing, feature options, hardware costs, and network availability and presents a model for evaluating the decision based on dollar requirements and local issues. (Author/LRW)

Describes the development of a strategic plan for information technology at Indiana University that involved, faculty, staff, and students. Discusses advanced networking and convergence; telecommunications infrastructure; advanced networking architecture for high-performance applications; and wireless networks. (LRW)

Discusses the proper planning and upgrading of telecommunications infrastructure in schools that can support state-of-the-art data, voice, and video applications. An example of one school's efforts at installing an integrated telecommunications system for its 17,500 students is highlighted. (GR)