Discusses and reviews CD-ROM bundles--i.e., hardware, software and CD-ROM kits--including their features, specifications, drawbacks, and prices. Recommends buying through mail order for the best selection and price. The pros and cons of bundling as a marketing strategy are discussed and a list of vendors is provided. (EA)

Rates three methods of arranging CD-ROM school networks: (1) peer-to-peer; (2) daisy chain configurations; and (3) dedicated CD-ROM file server. Describes the following network components: the file server, network adapters and wiring, the CD-ROM file server, and CD-ROM drives. Discusses issues involved in assembling these components into a working…

Compares database characteristics, access, display, editing, new records, hard copy products, hardware, and price of CD-ROM catalog production products from seven vendors: Gaylord Information Systems; General Research Corporation; The Library Corporation; OCLC; Solinet; Utlas; and the Western Library Network. (MES)

Discusses electronic books and hypermedia as stages in the evolution of media used for the storage and transmission of information. Design features of a hyperbook being developed are described, and a future optical storage device called a BOOK (Binary Operating system for the Organization of Knowledge) is explained. (seven references) (LRW)

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…

Suggests a process for evaluating and planning integrated optical jukebox storage systems. Considerations regarding architecture and system performance are summarized, and a modeling program for tailoring system response to specific applications is presented. Five robotics algorithms are examined to illustrate different hardware configurations.…

Discusses ways in which artificial intelligence could be applied to improve the ease of use, quality of retrieval, and organization of data in online services or CD-ROM. (MES)

Describes a low-cost, upgradeable, CD-ROM network and gives a step-by-step description of the installation process, including inventorying assets, learning about network components, selecting a network, installing adapter boards, attaching cabling, installing software, testing, configuring the server, installing search software, installing a menu,…

This paper describes the evolution and development of an intelligent information system, i.e., a knowledge base for steel structures being undertaken as part of the Technical Information Center for Steel Structures at Lehigh University's Center of Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems (ATLSS). The initial development of the Technical…

Explains the basic hardware, software, and media options for changing from a CD-ROM user to a CD-ROM publisher. Highlights include system configurations; computer recommendations; transfer media, including tapes, discs, and optical media; backup software and formatting/simulation software; costs; and publishing systems. (LRW)

Reviews the background, concepts, and role of hypermedia systems and analyzes essential, expected, and desirable features of hypermedia in order to provide a basis for system design and evaluation. Four hypermedium shells and systems are described, and approaches to user interface problems are discussed. (48 references) (MES)

Proposes an infrastructure to provide organizationwide access in a large university to government statistical databases issued on CD-ROM. Topics addressed include characteristics of government numeric data on CD-ROM, networked options, desired characteristics of networked CD-ROM access, hardware and network configurations, a prototype system, and…

Presents selection and design considerations to help libraries make informed decisions about hardware configurations of CD-ROM systems. Highlights include CD-ROM configurations, including single drive workstations, daisychains, and jukeboxes; network configurations, including remote access; microcomputer features; CD-ROM drive selection; and…

Describes a prototype automated collection analysis system developed at OCLC that allows a library to compare its collection with both predefined and evaluator defined peer groups. Eight library applications for such comparisons are listed, and the system design goals and areas needing further development are discussed. (five references)…

Describes document image management systems that are used for optical storage to facilitate information retrieval. Document image management applications are described, considerations in evaluating system features and functions are presented, and criteria for evaluating vendors of document image management systems are suggested. (two references)…