Reviews the economic theory of property rights and explores four applications of the transaction cost theory of property rights and free distribution in the economics of information: (1) copying technology; (2) computer software and copy protection; (3) satellite television and encryption; and (4) public libraries. (56 references) (MES)

One of 10 in a series on videotex, this promotional brochure discusses the enhancement of cable service systems that use videotex and teletext technologies. It explains the advantages of Canada's approach to videotex, which uses the standard called NAPLPS (North American Presentation Level Protocol Syntax), otherwise known in Canada as Telidon.…

Despite plans for corporate training networks, digital ad-insertion systems, hotel video-on-demand, and interactive television, only small scale video networks presently work. Four case studies examine the design and implementation decisions for different markets: corporate; advertising; hotel; and commercial video via cable, satellite or…

The Public Access Library System (PALS), a two-way cable television system for the delivery of community information, was developed by the staff of the Pasadena Public Library working with a consultant under a 1-year Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) grant. The objectives of the project were to: (1) identify six potential databases that…

Discusses technological developments and trends in interactive television (ITV) and video on demand (VOD), and examines the hardware and software needed to make ITV and VOD available for consumer use, home entertainment, and education and information services. Reviews technological advances and research conducted by regional telephone operating…

Describes levels of Internet connectivity, physical connections, and connection speeds. Compares options for connecting to the Internet, including terminal accounts, dial-up terminal accounts, direct connections through a local area network, and direct connections using SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) or PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol). (eight…

This resource guide for distance learning information, courses, and programming covers: (1) audiographics programming by the Pennsylvania Teleteaching Project; (2) cable programming, including the Cable Alliance for Education's Cable in the Classroom projects, Consumer News and Business Channel, Nostalgia Television, PENNARAMA Channel, Silent…

This report describes an interactive video system developed by Active Learning Systems which utilizes a cable television (TV) network as its delivery system to transmit computer literacy lessons to high school and college students. The system consists of an IBM PC, Pioneer LDV 4000 videodisc player, and Whitney Supercircuit set up at the head end…

With the many changes in technology since the Copyright Act was passed, following that law has become increasingly complex. Educators need to understand the law, and how to apply it in various situations. This fastback addresses some of the key issues of copyright law with particular attention to new technologies. After a brief history of the…

This paper looks at the potential of the new electronic media of broadcast television (including teletext and interactive cable), the videodisc, and the microcomputer. It examines the nature and extent of these media as textual communication systems and considers their implications in terms of both the reading skills they demand, and the ways in…

Intended for use as a networking source for microcomputer users, this directory collates the results of a survey on microcomputer usage in school and public libraries in South Dakota that was conducted in the spring of 1990. Entries are divided by type of library. Subsections within the school section are a directory of libraries that report any…