The growing popularity of video cassette recorders (VCR) and video cameras is opening up new frontiers in communications and entertainment. A glossary of the most commonly used video terms was compiled to aid in the informed selection of a VCR system. (Author/MLF)

Provides an overview of how optical storage technologies--videodisk, Write-Once disks, and CD-ROM CD-I disks are built into and controlled via DEC, Apple, Atari, Amiga, and IBM PC compatible microcomputers. Several available products are noted and a list of producers is included. (EM)

Independent laboratories have tested insulating aluminum glass framing systems, and several manufacturers have recently published test results for their systems. (Author)

The annual Exhibit in Print is intended to give school business officials the opportunity to tour an exhibit hall much like the ones at major conventions and annual meetings. The special section contains information about the companies that serve the educational community--their products, services, techniques, and case histories. (Author/MLF)

Describes a low cost alarm system that schools can use to detect intruders. (MLF)

This section indexes a list of the products reviewed by "Creative Computing" over the last several years. Listed are: (1) product and manufacturer; (2) type of review; (3) volume, issue number, and page; and (4) information as to whether the back issue containing the information is available. (MP)

Computer-aided design (CAD) has been around for a number of years. An overview is provided of a number of major computer-aided design programs. A short analysis of each program includes the addresses of the software producers. (MLF)

A principal offers school administrators advice on computerizing their offices. Necessary characteristics of computer hardware and software are described. (MLF)

New "supermicros," extremely powerful microcomputers, may take the place of minicomputers in college administration. The differences between the two types of computers are explained and suggestions are offered for what and when to buy. (MLF)

Local Area Networks (LAN) provide a way to share computer resources. Technical terms and concepts of LAN are explained. Identifies some LAN systems, their characteristics, and costs. (MLF)

Determined whether shoppers would use nutrition information when making in-store choices among brands of five packaged products. Also determined whether information used would be affected by the number of nutrients appearing on signs displayed in the store, and/or by the perceived importance of the set of nutrients presented. (JN)

Describes ways of using spreadsheets to maintain gradebooks, including use of weighted scores to calculate a student's running average and potential for use in preparing report cards. Several spreadsheet programs currently available are reviewed, and their advantages and disadvantages for educators are indicated. (MBR)

Discusses the hardware and software necessary to generate charts and graphs to illustrate numeric data using a microcomputer. The manufacturer, price, operating system, memory requirements, and types of graphs they can produce are given for nine graphics software packages and seven inexpensive plotters. (MBR)

Presents computer and computer-related activities for young students. These include an activity demonstrating a sorting procedure for punched cards similar to those used by computers, a short Atari music program, an activity involving "bar codes" found on commercial products, and others. (JN)

Offers guidelines for successfully selecting computer software, integrating it into the school operation, and training personnel. (MLF)