Introduces this issue, which contains papers from the 1991 Data Compression Conference, and defines data compression. The two primary functions of data compression are described, i.e., storage and communications; types of data using compression technology are discussed; compression methods are explained; and current areas of research are…

The application of the "back-propagation" learning algorithm to the task of determining the right set of features corresponding to the words in an input sentence is described. Features that are specific to particular nouns and verbs, that indicate whether a nominal constituent is singular or plural, definite or indefinite, and that…

Large central databases which support multicampus users require thorough planning and coordination, special communication with both users and input sources, and organized retrieval systems. In the developmental process of identifying variables that should be in the system and designating the source of that data, old habits of multiple official…

To help the librarian in negotiating with vendors of automated library services, nine authors have presented methods of dealing with a specific service or situation. Paper topics include computer services, network contracts, innovative service, data processing, automated circulation, a turn-key system, data base sharing, online data base services,…

Even though the increasing amount of multimedia material available for technology-assisted classrooms can make presentations more attractive and aesthetically pleasing, instructors and administrators should be aware of the increased demand on technology resources that the new graphics and animation programs create. Use of these materials…

The use of the computer to assist in the administration of a teacher education program is described. Given the supply and demand problems in the teachers' job market, there is increasing pressure on teacher education programs to admit and retain only the better students, a task which involves many administrative duties. Performing them manually…

Describes the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) and the inclusion of abstracting and indexing industry databases in OPACs. Topics addressed include the implications of including abstracting and indexing tape and CD-ROM products in OPACs; the need for standards allowing library systems to communicate with dissimilar CD-ROM products; and computer,…