Describes the advantages of videodisc technology for storing vast amounts of information and discusses two applications--manual and catalog storage by the manufacturing industry and quick information access by medical and legal professionals. Future videodisc projects and a cost/performance comparison of videodiscs and other information storage…

Reports on the state of currently available digital storage and retrieval systems and describes in detail one-sided optical videodisc LaserData and the Mnemos system, which stores graphic images on microfiche discs. Video Patsearch, Matrox, Philips Megadoc, DEMAND, and Digital Recording Corporation's optical digital records and future videodisc…

This report presents the results of the initial phase of the File Organization Project, a study which focuses upon the on-line maintenance and search of the library's catalog holdings record. The focus of the project is to develop a facility for research and experimentation with the many issues of on-line file organizations and search. The first…

Describes the utility and applications of information retrieval thesauri and the development of the thesaurus for the DISCLOSURE data base. (PF)

This paper proposes solutions to technical, copyright, and financial problems of downloading (storage in machine-readable form at user's site as result of searches in machine-readable file held on vendor's computer). Challenges of downloading--establishing ground rules, new pricing structure, new sales possibilities--are discussed. Six references…

A project constructed a Computer-based Test Development Center (COMBAT). It involved the development of instructional objectives and test items and their storage in a computer system from which they could be available to teachers. Project record data, questionnaires, and interviews were used to determine if the objectives were achieved, what the…

A general model for information storage and retrieval (IS&R) systems is proposed. The system is selected from the set of all available IS&R components. These components define the system's users and data sources; the hardware, software, and personnel performing the actual storage and retrieval activities; and the funder who acts as a filter in the…

Described is International Nickel's Technical Information System which involves cooperation between the London and New York offices. The problems of coordination, selection, vocabulary control, computer compatibility, communication and security are discussed. (4 references) (SJ)

It is the purpose of this study to provide fresh insight into the nature of library problems by systematically studying the question of size in various information contexts. In the introduction, the role that size plays from the user's point of view is illustrated. In the following sections, a study of the card catalogue, the classification system…

Compares two online information services on basis of target audience, communication services, news and publications, business and financial features, education-related features, online publication and information, personal service features, travel offerings, remote computing services, other facilities, navigating through utility, online storage…

"The purpose of this paper is to bring to computer professionals a realistic view of what a large library is and what the jobs and costs are which a librarian must worry about. Written by the director of libraries at MIT. (Author/LS)

This report describes approaches to database translation (i.e., transferring data and data definitions from a source, either a database management system (DBMS) or a batch file, to a target DBMS), and recommends a method for representing the data structures of newly-proposed network and relational data models in a form suitable for database…

The market availability of optical storage technology will radically change the nature of information distribution, especially by reducing the high cost of mass data storage. The three general classes of optical storage are: (1) mass-produced read-only storage, (2) write-once storage, and (3) erasable optical storage. (CDD)