Fourth installment of a directory published in four parts in "Database" (June and August) and "Online" (July and September) provides descriptions of 12 laserdisk products together with information on the producer, compatibility, type of laserdisk, search and retrieval software, interface with magnetic media, conditions of usage, price, and status.…

This discussion of information technology and its impact on library operations and services emphasizes the development of microcomputer and laser optical disc technologies. Libraries' earlier responses to bibliographic utilities, online databases, and online public access catalogs are described, and future directions for library services are…

Describes the use of microcomputers and hypermedia with videodisks and laser discs to teach art in three Central New York schools. These projects enabled students to access museum-based disks; created barcodes for accessing disk images; provided inservice teacher education in hypermedia use; and resulted in an instantly searchable database of…

Examines the current development of computer compact disk storage devices (CD-ROM). Describes the basics of how the CD-ROM operates and identifies educational uses. Lists companies currently providing CD-ROM software and producing CD-ROM players. (MVL)

This current overview of optical disk technology describes the evolving marketplace for optical products, the use of libraries as test sites for prototype CD-ROM (compact disk read-only-memory) products, CD-ROM developments, new optical technologies, and advances in magnetics. A list of some compact disk manufacturers and a glossary of terms are…

The objectives of this project were to assist the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in developing a policy for the representation, transfer, access, and preservation of electronic records of permanent value. A lack of attention to the management, retention, and selective preservation of these machine-readable records will result…

Describes the architecture of the prototype of an image management system that has been used to develop an application concerning images of frescoes in the Sistina Chapel in the Vatican. Hardware and software design are described, the use of local area networks (LANs) is discussed, and data organization is explained. (15 references) (LRW)

Survey of currently available CD-ROM products discusses: (1) subject orientation; (2) database type; (3) update frequency; (4) price structure; (5) hardware configuration; (6) retrieval software; and (7) publisher/marketer. Several graphs depict data in these areas. (five references) (MES)

The 24 papers in these proceedings describe computer technology and its many applications to the educational process. Topics discussed include computer systems in the classroom of the future; how to evaluate a school's computer program; computer use in special education; computer science and the liberal arts; keyboarding issues; making the…

Describes a menu-driven software system for searching CD-ROM databases that also unobtrusively gathers data on CD-ROM usage. The discussion covers the steps involved in creating a log file using DOS, tips for capturing user status, strategies for salvaging incomplete data, and types of CD-ROM usage analysis supported by these data. (three…

Discusses issues relating to recent introductions of CD-ROM technologies in libraries and considerations that have motivated libraries to choose networking CD-ROMs over the standalone approach. Factors discussed include cost effectiveness, the flexibility of the networking approach, and performance considerations. A glossary of terms is provided.…

This document contains abstracts of papers on database design and management which were presented at the 1986 mid-year meeting of the American Society for Information Science (ASIS). Topics considered include: knowledge representation in a bilingual art history database; proprietary database design; relational database design; in-house databases;…

This digest answers the following questions that beginning or novice users may have about CD-ROM (a compact disk with read-only memory) database services: (1) What is CD-ROM? (2) What databases are available? (3) Is CD-ROM difficult to use? (4) How much does CD-ROM cost? and (5) What is the future of CD-ROM? (15 references) (MES)

Describes the Reference by GammaFax Project, which joined nine area libraries to provide cooperative reference access to optical disk databases. The configuration of disk players, microcomputers, and facsimile equipment used by the libraries is explained, and the improvements in cost effectiveness, provision of service, and librarian expertise are…

Discusses conversion projects that move information from one format to another. Planning considerations are discussed; types of conversion processes are described, including conversion between computers using software, cables, or networks; special conversions are examined, including CD-ROMs and online databases; and companies that specialize in…