The National Assessment of Educational Progress Information Retrieval System is a single purpose database program. It is well constructed, runs without problems, and serves as a model for dissemination of research and evaluation study results. The program seems more useful as an index to documents than as an independent database. (Author/DWH)

Identifies existing categories of end users of online information retrieval systems, discusses problems that have been encountered by information providers and customers, and suggests strategies for capturing new end-user markets. Issues discussed include user cordial interfaces, CD-ROM products, ethics involved in information provision, and…

Two tables compare projected costs of online versus offline retrieval of citations from 50 databases using BRS and DIALOG. Data include database; databank; cost of access per hour; cost of 15-minute search with no retrieval; and cost of 15-minute search plus cost of 10 and 30 online or offline citations. (CLB)

Discusses some widely available spatially referenced datasets, including raster and vector datasets. Strategies for improving accessibility include: acquisition of data in a software-dependent format; reorganization of data into logical geographic units; acquisition of intelligent retrieval software; improving computer hardware; and intelligent…

The Sydney Micro Library System is a microcomputer-based integrated library system with cataloging, inquiry, and system management modules that form the base system for running the optional acquisitions, circulation, serials, and MARC record modules. Designed for small special libraries, the system has parallel minicomputer and microcomputer…

Describes Windows-based multimedia authoring programs that cost less than $1000. Discusses text support, interface variety, title creation, search and retrieval capabilities, special features, platform requirements and cost, design, royalty-free use, distribution and selling. (AEF)

Five categories of microcomputer software for information storage and retrieval (ISR) are distinguished and characterized: classical retrieval systems; end-user software; indexing programs; full-text retrieval programs; and personal information managers. In addition, the special retrieval techniques of hypertext and best-matched searching are…

Categorizes software packages for microcomputer database creation by their typical features and strengths, and discusses appropriate applications of each category. A directory of vendors for each type of software--text retrieval, file managers, database management, information storage and retrieval, integrated bibliographic systems, and library…

A simulation model is developed to reflect characteristics of a typical information retrieval system on three specific microcomputer configurations using Cromemco System 3, Apple II, and Telima 1000. Systems are compared in terms of installation costs, think time, multiprogramming level, response time, and main storage utilization. Three…

Describes the creation of a prototype CD-ROM disc at the Earth Science Information Center (ESIC) that contained information on aerial photographs formerly held on computer output microfiche. Specifications are discussed, fields of information that were indexed are described, search and retrieval display capabilities are explained, and the results…

Reviews the current status of satellite remote sensing data, including problems with efficient storage and rapid retrieval of the data, and appropriate computer graphics to process images. Areas of research concerned with overcoming these problems are described. (16 references) (CLB)

Provides an overview of HYTREM (Hybrid Text-Retrieval Machine), a high-performance, cost-effective text-retrieval machine that handles information in large textual databases. Describes HYTREM's software and hardware design principles and presents an evaluation of system performance in relation to user demand and access versus system capacity. (JMV)

Describes the development of a retrieval system which used an interactive computer and an intelligent videodisc system to locate materials in the art school slide library. A survey of faculty, staff, and students indicated that user reaction was favorable, although image quality did arouse major concern. (MER)

Discusses the use of optical disk technology in online searching and compares three versions of the ERIC database currently available on optical disk in terms of hardware requirements, ease of installation, scope and cost of the system, search procedures, displaying and printing results, and documentation and user support. (CLB)

Examines competing, commercially developed electronic mail programs and how these technologies will affect the functionality and quality of electronic mail. How new standards for client-server mail systems are likely to enhance messaging capabilities and the use of electronic mail for information retrieval are considered. (Contains eight…