Past problems encountered in the use of computers are discussed. They include: (1) computing and data storage costs; (2) machine speed and capacity limitations; and (3) the limited number of languages and Input/Output devices available to facilitate man/machine communication. The improvements in all of these areas are explained. The problems which…

Review of text processing software for microcomputers covers data entry, text editing, document formatting, and spelling and proofreading programs including "Wordstar,""PeachText,""PerfectWriter,""Select," and "The Word Plus.""The Whole Earth Software Catalog" and a new terminal to be…

The successful Merit Computer Network is examined in terms of both technology and operational management. The network is fully operational and has a significant and rapidly increasing usage, with three major institutions currently sharing computer resources. (Author/CMV)

Computers can serve as a valuable management tool for park and recreation agencies by providing storage, manipulation, and retrieval of data; increasing efficiency; and extending services. Various microcomputer applications are examined, and several sources of introductory computer information are offered. (DF)

Demonstrates methods of enhancing communication between computers and computer users in educational programs. Applies educational learning concepts to the design of software to improve user/machine interaction, especially for microcomputers. (Author/RW)

This paper argues that the advent of the optical videodisc has removed one of movie making's basic tenets: that is, the unfolding of the imagery and the order of succession of the frames. It maintains that the optical videodisc provides the opportunity for topical and temporal reconfiguration of the images wherein the viewer becomes an active…

The principal human factors engineering issue in robotics is the division of labor between automation (robots) and human beings. This issue reflects a prime human factors engineering consideration in systems design--what equipment should do and what operators and maintainers should do. Understanding of capabilities and limitations of robots and…

The development of the Drexel Disk is described. The goal of this disk is to train novice users of a personal computer and to provide them with all the information they need to be able to use the machine and the facilities at Drexel. (MLW)

Describes a minicomputer software system for the administration of instructional programs combining interactive cable television and computer aided instruction for potentially large populations at relatively low cost. Both basic two-way cable television technology and the system developed by Michigan State University are discussed. (Author)

Described is a computer-based simulation model for maximizing both the feedback of an administrative "in-basket" simulation exercise and the analysis of the results. (Author)

A variety of direct and indirect instructional activities during the last ten years have employed computers. Within Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) programs, the following broad classes of instructional strategies have been generally accepted: tutorial, drill and practice, review, testing, remediation and diagnosis, problem solving, and…

The computer is perhaps the most sophisticated tool mankind has yet developed but it has often been misused with man made to serve the tool rather than vice versa. This paper attempts to examine the genesis of this chaos, contrast the present situation with the ideal, and present a reasonable alternative. A humanized data service in education is…

Describes file management package offering relatively sophisticated features: conversion of previously downloaded records from commercial database into local file; keyword searching on inverted keyword file; full-text searching on author, title, bibliographic source, abstract; sorting by author, title, bibliographic source, publication year;…

Overview of expert systems (intelligent computer applications that use data, a knowledge base, and a control mechanism to solve problems) highlights history of expert systems; construction (human element, knowledge acquisition and learning, system architecture); limitations; issues and trends; and implications for information science. Thirty-three…