A questionnaire was sent to 1,705 Texas farmers and ranchers who had either purchased farm management software provided by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service (purchasers) or had participated in Extension Service short courses and had purchased farm management software (participant/purchasers). A total of 489 farmers/ranchers responded.…

The central mission of the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee (NOICC) and its network of State Occupational Information Coordinating Committees (SOICCs) is to help states develop and implement an occupational information system (OIS). NOICC supports the use of existing sources of data for the OIS and has worked with the…

The major goal of a program was to improve the use of microcomputers in the management of New York State's adult basic education programs. Subgoals were optimizing the use of available microcomputer facilities, aiding the largest number of programs permitted by project funds, serving the particular needs of individual programs, and maximizing the…

The demand for decision-support systems (DSSs) at the University of Hartford and the use of current software systems based on an information center approach are discussed. It is noted that declining enrollment demand and financial stress in tuition and enrollment-dependent universities requires a flexible and dynamic DSS for effective planning and…

The changing nature of institutional research due to the expanded use and capabilities of information technology was explored through a regional survey of institutional researchers, who indicated their involvement in information systems development. Results were analyzed for all respondents, by type of institution (four-year versus two-year), and…

The interconnection between personal computers and other personal, mini, or mainframe computer systems is discussed. The following topics relevant to college personnel are addressed: hardware techniques for tying computers together, advantages and disadvantages of available software, the prospects for sophisticated micro/mainframe links with major…

Stanford University's use of a risk assessment methodology to improve the management of systems development projects is discussed. After examining the concepts of hazard, peril, and risk as they relate to the system development process, three ways to assess risk are covered: size, structure, and technology. The overall objective for Stanford…

Washington State University developed a comprehensive supplies inventory system and a generalized billing system with multiple users in mind. The supplies inventory control system developed for Central Stores, a self-sustaining service center that purchases and warehouses office, laboratory, and hardware supplies, was called AIMS, An Inventory…

The implementation and effects of a computerized executive network at the seven colleges in the Maricopa County community college system in the Phoenix metropolitan area are discussed. Two themes are emphasized: the "top-down" strategy, and the significance of office automation. The first system installed was the All-in-One system, which…

This book is designed to introduce educators to basic computing concepts, acquaint them with specific educational applications, and bridge the gap between technology in educational practice by interesting them in educational computing. A brief introduction and review of historical perspectives are followed by a description of computer applications…

The computerized Identification-Placement-Tracking-System (IPTS) was developed at the University of California, Los Angeles, Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) as a remedy to problems in interschool coordination. As the IPTS currently functions, the EOC students select up to three colleges of interest for future matriculation. The schools are…

The use of Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS), a type of microcomputer application software, to analyze open-ended survey questions is discussed. Using open-ended questions allows researchers to ask respondents to express themselves freely about their attitudes and beliefs. This approach also can elicit a precise answer even though the…

The influences of computer technology on college nursing education programs and health care delivery systems are discussed in eight papers. The use of computers is considered, with attention to clinical care, nursing education and continuing education, administration, and research. Attention is also directed to basic computer terminology, computer…

The history and features of Decision Support Systems (DSS) and use of the approach by academic administrators are discussed. The objective of DSS is to involve the manager/decision maker in the decision-analysis process while simultaneously relieving that person of the burden of developing and performing detailed analysis. DSS represents a…

Computer outreach refers to the application of local computer capability to the development of new or improved computer uses. This study describes three outreach areas. "Computer uses for elders," the first area, focuses on elders as a new group of computer users or clients. The second area, "computer use and abuse," aims at helping to insure the…