This report focuses on the activities and findings of the fourth phase of research carried out at Carnegie-Mellon University (CMU) on the development of user documentation for computer-aided design (CAD) systems. The first of four major sections provides an overview of recent research, issues involved in the research, and implications of the…

Describes the following aspects of the State University of New York-Brockport's preventive maintenance computerization project: (1) software selection, (2) project implementation; and (3) problems and benefits of the system. (MCG)

The purpose of the Common Communication Format (CCF) is to provide a detailed and structured method for recording a number of mandatory and optional data elements in a computer-readable bibliographic record for exchange purposes between two or more computer-based systems. However, it can also be useful within non-computerized bibliographic…

This handbook offers guidance to public broadcasting managers on computer acquisition and development activities. Based on a 1981 survey of planned and current computer uses conducted by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Information Clearinghouse, computer systems in public radio and television broadcasting stations are listed by…

Discussion of potential library applications for microcomputers focuses on effective software and professional system design practices and describes OCLC projects involving microcomputers to illustrate their use as a stand-alone unit, back-up system, interface device, and an enhancement mechanism. Additional sources of information on microcomputer…

Discusses topics related to systems for in-house CD-ROM development: functions, including data capture, data conversion, data editing, indexing, database construction, simulation/testing, and formatting; components, including hardware, the processor, peripherals, and selection considerations; software, including the operating system, system…

To demonstrate to computer programmers that the programming language Ada provides superior facilities for use in artificial intelligence applications, the three papers included in this report investigate the capabilities that exist within Ada for "pattern-directed" programming. The first paper (Larry H. Reeker, Tulane University) is…

Description of the history of a statewide interlibrary loan and electronic mail telecommunications network highlights difficulties and reinforces the idea that off-the-shelf systems are preferable to in-house system development. Recommendations include: solicit expert technical advice (including review by an independent programmer); choose…

The automation of online order retrieval for Chemical Abstracts Service Document Delivery Service was accomplished by shifting to an order retrieval/dispatch process linked to a Unix network. The Unix-based environment, its terminal emulation, page-break, and user-friendly interface software, and later enhancements are reviewed. Resultant increase…

This description of the development of expert systems designed to solve management problems focuses on the issue of corporate divestment as an example. Software needs are discussed, and an example of a management expert system for divestment analysis at James Madison University is briefly described. (Author/LRW)

Reviews Oregon State University Communication Media Center's experiences in designing, developing, and using a computerized scheduling system to help with the center's operation. Description includes purposes for developing the system, creation of the system using a commercial database management software package, and the five menus used in the…

Describes development and implementation of microcomputer system for request handling, recordkeeping, and invoicing at the Centre for Scientific and Technical Information (CSTI) Document Delivery Service of the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Unforeseen advantages of the system are reviewed, including electronic…

Describes a project aimed at developing a system to support managers of business software projects by incorporating knowledge acquisition and emphasizing the integration of the manager's tasks. The discussion covers the knowledge acquisition methodology, the architecture of an integrated system, and an overview of project management tasks. (15…

An approach to the design of flexible text-based management systems for archives includes tiers for repository, software, and user management systems. Each tier has four layers--objective, program, result, and interface. Traps awaiting software development companies involve the market, competition, operations, and finance. (10 references) (MES)

Designed primarily to enable blind students to more easily use the Open University's Student Computer Services, a project was implemented to generate computer programs (in BASIC) for a limited configuration microcomputer with synthetic speech as the only output program. Three techniques can be identified with synthetic speech generation:…