Provides an overview of databases that include the best information about Latin America. Highlights include problems with using "Latin America" as a search concept; Latin American information on DIALOG; the dominance of TEXTLINE among the major newswires; comparisons between DIALOG and other online services; specialized Latin American…

Discusses ways to locate information on the Internet. Highlights include LISTSERVs; files to download, including text, graphics, software, sounds, and animations through Archie; locating files on a Gopher via Veronica; the World Wide Web; and electronic mail addresses. (LRW)

An inter-university network of computer centers, the "Because It's Time NETwork" (BITNET), is described. Specific guidelines and format requirements for using BITNET, with sample commands, are presented. More than 1,800 computers at over 600 institutions of higher education and research centers in Europe, Asia, and North America are…

Provides a novice's guide to locating and using patent resources on the Internet. The guide examines how easily a novice can find and use patent resources, and evaluates resources on their search and retrieval capability. Findings are from the author's own experiences with various online services and are presented as personal narratives. (JMV)

Characterizes information retrieval systems in a network environment from a user's perspective along two axes: query and presentation. Several examples of early, current, and developing information retrieval systems are considered within this framework, and Daltext, a prototype system to support research on text-based retrieval systems, is…

Describes VISION (Video Indexing for Searching over Networks), a digital video prototype developed at the University of Kansas to demonstrate the technology necessary for an online digital video library. Highlights include content-based search and retrieval of video over computer networks; full-text information retrieval; and future plans.…

Discussion of difficulties in finding tests and measuring instruments for academic library users focuses on electronic databases. Highlights include the Educational Testing Service collection; eight databases for finding measures; Internet access to databases; other national and local databases; print sources of measures; and obtaining copies of…

Description of the ERIC database covers suggested uses for teachers, students, parents, and researchers; information available in ERIC; how to access ERIC, including through the Internet; the AskERIC service that is available through the Internet; and steps for searching the database. A directory of ERIC clearinghouses is also included. (LRW)

Explores ways for librarians to improve search strategies in a globally networked computing environment. Discusses browsing versus more structured search strategies; thinking processes and information-seeking processes; supplementing the traditional reference interview with computer-based reference assistants; models for automating the reference…

This article describes the Internet and lists resources available to community college (CC) practitioners through the Internet. The Internet is described as an international computer network which links thousands of smaller networks. The digest suggests the following hardware for Internet access: an IBM-compatible computer capable of running…

Information from the U.S. Government is appearing with increasing frequency on the Internet. In many cases, the Internet is the only place to locate important government information. Virtually all agencies maintain their own web pages, which include linked statistical data, news releases, and other full-text publications. In the future, more data…

Examines factors relating to selecting machine-readable information sources from the perspective of the library manager concerned with serving user needs. Professional and novice searchers are considered; remote time sharing, CD-ROM workstations, and local tapes are described and compared; network choices are discussed; and impacts on the…

This guide to using the tools of online databases, telecommunications, and CD-ROM technology in the educational environment provides a practical introduction to the concepts and importance of information literacy and high technology resource-based learning. It also describes the drawbacks and advantages of these tools from an educator's viewpoint.…

Discussion of the relationship between users, librarians, and vendors as it has been influenced by electronic databases and communications networks highlights experiences at Aston University (United Kingdom). Topics addressed include mediated searching; direct user access to databases; impacts on staff; user demand; costs; CD-ROM networks;…

Discusses the role of school media specialists in teaching students to navigate information resources available through online systems. Highlights include database searching; use of the Internet; multimedia workstations; integrated learning systems; teaching library skills; authoring software; and teacher utilities. (two references) (LRW)