Describes teletext, a one-way broadcast transmission of text and graphics viewed on a television screen, and its use by publishers as one means of transferring textual and graphical information. Among the services described are news reports; weather forecasts; transportation, community, and consumer information; and advertising. (Author/JJD)

Videotex systems are reviewed and grouped into five general classes: information retrieval, transactions, messaging, computing, and telemonitoring. The videotex technologies providing these services at the user end are described and a series of technological enhancements for each service is discussed. (Author/JJD)

Identifies technologies available to libraries and information centers for increasing and redirecting information services to patrons. Viewdata and teletext services, videodisc technology, online catalogs, and microcomputers are highlighted, and methods and strategies for effective implementation are discussed. (EJS)

Describes the two-way Highly Interactive Optical Visual Information System (Hi-OVIS), involving the transmission and reception of educational, advertising, and public service programing, which has been in experimental use in Japan since 1978. Utilizing fiber optics, the system equips each house with a keyboard, television, television camera, and…

With fiber optic networks that can deliver library materials directly to the user from computerized data banks, is there any need for the library function? For the short term, public libraries will survive. The answer for the medium and long-term is much less certain. Libraries will survive if librarians see themselves as active providers of…

The Manitoba Telephone System has established an experimental integrated home information system called Project Ida in a trial group of 100 homes. Discussed here are the origin, current operation, and future prospects of this system, which includes videotex, fire monitoring, telemetering, and educational television. (Author/JJD)

Surveys over 700 Iowa farmers regarding their use of teletext and videotex technologies. Finds that for younger, higher-income farmers, these technologies are emerging as a "best source" for relatively perishable or highly volatile information like market prices; otherwise, these technologies complement rather than replace existing…

Because of the drastic reduction in prices and the availability of versatile, inexpensive software, the home computer today is enjoying an exponential growth and may be effecting a fundamental change in mass communication and processes. Existing media suffer from many inherent limitations and offer unspecified audiences very low or no referability…

Social, technological, and economic factors relevant to informed decision-making are presented to provide policymakers with an understanding of factors involved in national entry into videotex and/or teletext technologies. It is assumed that the policymaker has a basic knowledge of computers, but little or no knowledge of the videotex-related…

The most important developments now taking place or being planned are emphasized in this collection of eight papers on the emerging aspects of information technology. In addition to an introduction by Ric Foot and a keynote address by John Butcher, the specific papers are as follows: (1) "Telesoftware as Part of the Knowledge Network,"…

Intended as an introductory level treatment for readers with little technical background, this primer focuses on the technology of electronic text, its current utilization, and potential use. Included are explanations of the terms associated with electronic text, an exploration of the use of television in providing videotex services, a call for…

Designed to provide an overview of the nature and focus of activity in the fledgling videotex industry in the United States and Canada, this updated and extended report presents in-depth reviews of 26 projects which reflect the involvement of such industries as publishing, retailing, agriculture, banking, other financial intermediaries,…

This report presents eight papers prepared for a workshop held in June 1980, which was planned to exchange ideas and experiences about, and arrive at a better understanding of, the technological issues that have an impact on videotex systems and their use. Papers emphasize alternative architectures for present and future videotex systems; database…

Outlines the development of Plato, a unified computer system linking terminals to a central educational network; critically reviews Plato's new Homelink system which provides access to 273 games and lessons; and discusses its present capabilities and possible future improvements to make Homelink attractive to home users interested in educational…

A study examined ways in which Technical and Further Education (TAFE) services might be delivered to persons living in outlying areas of Australia. The study concentrated on the tristate area served by the Broken Hill, Riverland, and Sunraysia colleges. The following means of providing TAFE services were studied: self-study centers, residential…