The increasing proliferation of globally interconnected complex information systems has elevated the magnitude of attacks and the level of damage that they inflict on such systems. This open environment of intertwined financial, medical, defense, and other systems has attracted hackers to increase their malicious activities to cause harm or to…

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Library, where the author serves as the digital services librarian, is increasingly challenged to make it easier for users to find information from many heterogeneous information sources. Information is scattered throughout different software applications (i.e., library catalog, federated search engine, link…

Social networking and other Web 2.0 technologies led the social whirl of the information industry. Publishers and librarians tried to keep their products and services relevant by mixing authoritative content with user involvement, but that was not enough. Enhancing interfaces, adding new forms of content, and making strategic acquisitions--all are…

As news outlets create headlines such as "A Cloud & A Prayer," "The Cloud Is the Computer," and "Leveraging Clouds to Make You More Efficient," many readers have been left with cloud confusion. Many definitions exist for cloud computing, and a uniform definition is hard to find. In its most basic form, cloud…

Reports results of a United Kingdom-based mail survey of database users, CD-ROM producers, and hosts to assess trends and views concerning documentation in machine-readable form. Cost, convenience, and ease of use of print manuals are cited as reasons for the reluctance to switch to machine-readable documentation. Sample surveys are included.…

Discusses problems for information professionals arising from traditional copyright legislation, as well as from the proposed Uniform Commercial Code 2B on information licensing. Highlights include responsibility of information consumers; World Wide Web terms and conditions, including those of newspapers and publishers; privacy issues; database…

This digest describes how to use a microcomputer as a terminal to access ERIC online. Hardware and software requirements are explained, configuring the software is described, and basic requirements for specific microcomputers are listed. One diagram is included. (EW)

Offers a descriptive table of databases that help higher education institutions orchestrate advancement operations. Information includes vendor, contact, software, price, database engine/server platform, recommended reporting tools, record capacity, and client type. (EV)

Examines decisions schools are faced with in terms of electronic reference materials selection. Discusses CD-ROM versus online technology; choosing the "suite" of software; blending equipment creatively; and costs. A chart highlighting prices, scope/coverage, and strengths for various vendors' databases is included. (AEF)

Focusing on how to use a microcomputer as a terminal for searching online databases, this digest addresses the following topics: (1) hardware and software requirements; (2) configuring the software; and (3) basic requirements for specific microcomputers. Special features in communications software which allow microcomputer users to do database…

Examines the relationships between purchases of optical data disk products, publishers, and software suppliers. The discussion covers current pricing strategies for optical data disk software and information products, and possible future developments in marketing and pricing. (CLB)

Discusses search and retrieval software for use with CD-ROM. Background trends, how data are made usable, supply and demand, data preparation services, and capabilities of search software are described. Vendors of significant information retrieval products are identified, and the characteristics of 12 packages are compared. (Author/EM)

Explains portals as tools that gather a variety of electronic information resources, including local library resources, into a single Web page. Highlights include cross-database searching; integration with university portals and course management software; the ARL (Association of Research Libraries) Scholars Portal Initiative; and selected vendors…

Corporations employ data mining to analyze operations, find trends in recorded information, and look for new opportunities. Libraries are no different. Librarians manage large stores of data--about collections and usage, for example--and they also want to analyze this data to serve their users better. Analysts use data mining to query a data…

Examined the accessibility of two Web-based abstracting and indexing services by blind users using screen-reading programs based on guidelines from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines by the WWW Consortium. Suggests Web developers need to conduct usability testing and librarians need to be aware of accessibility…