Survey of recent developments in microcomputer technology, mass-storage technology, and telecommunications technology shows how these new technologies are driving the development of a new generation of information systems. Major changes in the information industry precipitated by arrival of new information systems and telecommunication…

The first interactive (on-line) computerized use of the ERIC files by the U.S. Office of Education is reported in the form of an evaluation of the DIALOG system conducted at the ERIC Clearinghouse for Educational Media and Technology. Descriptions of the purposes of the study, of the DIALOG system (developed by Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.),…

The purpose of this article is to describe a system for protecting the anonymity of subjects in longitudinal research and for maintaining the security of data files. The basic system comes from the American Council on Education Cooperative Institutional Research Program. Data is collected from questionnaires, and converted to magnetic tape.…

The paper deals with one method of organizing the storage unit of a descriptor IPS (information retrieval system) of the SPOD type, the information array of which constitutes the totality of uniform documents with ordered disposition of data within each of them. Three categories of data composing the retrieval form of document were defined…

The problem of finding relevant material to answer a classroom need is the focus of this report. The Automated Instructional Resources Retrieval System (AIRR) is designed to assist teachers by storing information in a number of categories, including the following: media type, maturity level, length, producer or publisher, main curriculum area,…

A pressing and recurrent problem in developing curriculum material is the unnecessary duplication of work done by others; to avoid this, the nine-campus University of California has established a computer data base containing information on all courses and programs being currently offered by the school. (JD)

Paper presents an analysis of information exchange in the world and the development of systems designed to facilitate storage and retrieval of information. It also deals with all aspects of exchanging experience in adult education. (Author/RK)

Describes applications of new technology to information handling on the basis of two trends--the miniaturization of electronic circuits and the shift from analog to digital modes of communication. Information technologies discussed are microcomputers, word processors, telecommunications, storage technologies, databases, videotex, and teletext.…

Presents background information on DOBIS (an online library system) evaluation, software acquisition, and development, and describes the status and plans for DOBIS in the Canadian government. Appendices provide an overview of the Canadian government version of the system from a librarian's and a systems analyst's perspective. (CWM)

This report describes the development and implementation of a prototype system that integrates a microfiche catalog into an online computer system for bibliographic control. Such a system permits the storage of catalog data not yet converted to digital form, data in ideographic form, data for large numbers of little-used records, and data for use…

The information system of the American Council on Education (ACE), which comprises the basis for the ACE Higher Education Data Bank, is designed to collect and maintain biographical and other data on approximately 300,000 college freshmen each year for continuing longitudinal research based on subsamples of the students. The need for confidential…

Three computer-based scientific bibliographic retrieval systems were evaluated for cleanness (consistency and internal duplication), comprehensiveness, timeliness, and costs. The appropriateness of using one or more of these data bases was found to depend upon the objectives of the end-user. (MA)

Describes three commercial, numeric databases that are available in microcomputer diskette format: Micro/Scan Disclosure; Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates World Economic Service; and Trinet's Survey of Commercial Buying Power. Advantages and disadvantages of the diskette format, search strategies, and a selected list of eight suppliers…

Describes computer operating systems applicable to microcomputers, noting hardware components, advantages and disadvantages of each system, local area networks, distributed processing, and a fully configured system. Lists of hardware components (disk drives, solid state disk emulators, input/output and memory components, and processors) and…

Activities of the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology (ICST) within the U.S. Department of Commerce during fiscal year 1986 are described in this annual report, which summarizes research and publications by ICST in the following areas: (1) standards and guidelines for computer security, including encryption and message authentication…