The effects of CD-ROM networking on system response time was studied at McGill University using WilsonDisc, Dialog OnDisc, and Silver Platter. Using a 10-station local area network, response times were measured for searches using index terms, truncation, and the Boolean "and." Results show that increased numbers of users increased…

This article examines the role of advanced networks such as the National Science Foundation Network, with emphasis on their potential in improving information distribution and access in college and university libraries. Questions are posed concerning technical, political, institutional, and human aspects of networked information. (DB)

The government of the United Kingdom has set a target to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 34 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) will require all large public and private sector organizations across the U.K. to cut carbon emissions and report total CO2 emissions annually so that the data can be published in a…

Students learn about physical laws and the scientific method when they analyze experimental data in a laboratory setting. Three common sources exist for the experimental data that they analyze: (1) "hands-on" measurements by the students themselves, (2) electronic transfer (by downloading a spreadsheet, video, or computer-aided data-acquisition…

Examined are large curriculum software packages that currently dominate school networks. Indicates ways that networks could serve schools. Discusses different Integrated Learning Systems (ILS), evaluates their use and proposes future uses of these networks. (CW)

DCE (Distributed Computing Environment) is a collection of services, tools, and libraries for building the infrastructure necessary for distributed computing within an enterprise. This articles discusses the Open Software Foundation (OSF); the components of DCE, including the Directory and Security Services, the Distributed Time Service, and the…

This overview of the Research Libraries Group (RLG) discusses historical background, collaboration, new needs and expectations, the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN), the CitaDel service, the ARIEL service, the Eureka service, the Zephyr server, and JACKPHY-Plus Script Development, and preservation. (JLB)

Discusses the need for library cooperation with other libraries and with outside organizations, to cope with technological change. Highlights include national bibliographic utilities and regional library networks; relationships among librarians, scholars, and computing professionals; alliances with the commercial sector; the Coalition for…

More educators could effectively communicate with network designers and installers if they understood the technical vocabulary related to computer networks. Terms associated with local area and wide area networks--building materials, connection strategies, network traffic control, and protocols--are defined. Advice is given for planning school…

Suggests that society is more likely in the midst of an information evolution, rather than a revolution. Uses new media technology and forecasting literatures as a framework to evaluate current technology developments and public discussion about the information highway. Compares the hopeful rhetoric that surrounds the information highway to…

Describes external sources of funding for public libraries to establish and maintain their technology infrastructure, telecommunications services, and network-based resources and services. Highlights include LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act); the E-rate program; and the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation U.S. Library Program. (LRW)

Stand-alone, single-user software programs for classroom use can be prohibitively expensive, compared to information-sharing network systems. Based on a Kansas district's experience, this article explains three types of networks (device-sharing, operating-system-based, and client-server-based) and discusses network protocols, software choices,…

Focusing on economic issues related to the NREN (National Research and Education Network), this paper examines the implications for the academic community of a shift to fee-based network services. Costs currently borne by institutions and the feasibility of charging end users are considered. Commercial use of the NREN is also addressed. (two…

Examines commercial communications products that offer electronic mail and special interest forums to determine which would best meet the needs of members of Puppeteers of America and UNIMA (Union International de la Marionette). Services and costs of CompuServe, the WELL (Whole Earth Electronic Link), GEnnie, and Prodigy are described. (MES)

Discusses the electronic publishing activities of Meckler Publishing on the Internet, including a publications catalog, an electronic journal, and tables of contents databases. Broader issues of commercial network publishing are also addressed, including changes in the research process, changes in publishing, bibliographic control,…