A new audiovisual technology, the videodisc, is beginning to make its presence felt in education. The capabilities of one format--the reflective optical videodisc system--are described. (Author/MLF)

Describes the features and performance of the Radio Shack TRS-80 Pocket Computer. Programming capacity, various system commands, and the speed of the computer's operations are discussed. (JL)

The Supreme Court tentatively extended First Amendment protection to commercial speech, but left the issue of defining and regulating deceptive advertising to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has employed tools such as the cease-and-desist order, affirmative disclosure, and corrective advertising. The FTC Act did not define deception, but…

This publication provides background and practical information for those interested in doing business with China. The United States officially recognized the People's Republic of China (PRC) on January 1, 1979. Chinese leaders view international trade as an important factor in transforming China into a modern industrial state as well as an…

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)

It is important for teachers to understand both their eye care needs and the services offered in the eye care market in order to make intelligent decisions regarding their own needs. (LH)

Offers a personal view of international technical communication. Discusses computer-assisted translation, machine translation, machine interpreting, and the future of international technical communication. (SR)

States that it is theoretically, educationally, and pragmatically imperative that business and technical communicators become familiar with and informed about the legal issues surrounding products liability. Discusses the theories of negligence, breach of warranty, and strict liability. Offers guidelines for writing and organizing to avoid…

Describes three popular "shareware" computer programs: PC-Write (word processing program for IBM PC and compatibles); PC-File III (electronic file system); PC-Talk III (communications program). Shareware programs are marketed at minimum profit with maximum distribution and unlimited acceptance test; are protected by copyright; and…

Description of portable microcomputers discusses design features of Tandy TRS-80, Nippon Electric Company PC-8200, Epson HX-20, Texas Instruments TI CC 40, and Convergent Technologies' Workslate and provides several caveats and recommendations to those making purchasing decisions. Potential uses for portable microcomputers in education are also…

Discusses the issue of microcomputer use with young children, describes several computer programs designed primarily for children's enjoyment, presents caveats regarding present state of the art of preschool software, and lists several recommended programs. (MBR)

Argues that big-screen television systems are now feasible for use by educational and other organizations. The history of such systems is briefly reviewed, current models are compared, and general guidelines for choosing a system are presented. (BK)

Discusses four levels of awareness (from simple letter substitution to cross-cultural transfer of technology) in how product developers view producing national language versions of their products. (SR)

This detailed look into proper diskette maintenance presents general precautions on temperature, humidity, lifespan, labeling, storage, and disk drive maintenance. The Apple UniDisk 3.5 disk drive is described, tips on purchasing diskettes are presented, and information on specific data retrieval and backup software and diskettes is included. (MBR)

Discusses the various factors involved in the selection of a satisfactory and flexible microcomputer system, with emphasis on the limited technological sophistication of current models produced by Apple, Radio Shack, and others. Disk operating systems, questions of intersystem compatibility, and the future of microprocessor chip technology are…