Discusses the history of mechanical devices to store sound information from Thomas Edison's tin foil phonograph to the compact discs (CD) and beyond. (JOW)

This digest begins with a brief description and review of the development of optical disks. Optical disk formats are then described by capability: Read Only Memory (ROM), Write Once, Read Many (WORM), Interactive (I), and Erasable (E); forms of information (audio, text or data, video or graphics, or a combination); and disk size (most often 12 or…

Discusses developments in document management systems based on a survey of over 400 corporations and government agencies. Text retrieval and imaging markets, architecture and integration, purchasing plans, and vendor market leaders are covered. Five graphs present data on user preferences for improvements. A sidebar article reviews the development…

Digital Video Disc (DVD), now known as digital versatile disc, is a high-capacity storage medium. This article examines and evaluates DVD-Video, for storing digitized movies, and DVD-ROM for storing computer-readable text, graphics, audio, and video files. Describes and reviews selected DVD-Video and DVD-ROM titles and discusses potential hardware…

Considers the future of microforms by surveying the history of their use in libraries; reviewing the literature about them; and comparing them with electronic databases, full text delivery, and laser disks. It is concluded that microforms will continue to be the primary providers of significant but rarely used retrospective materials. (EM)

Optical disk technologies now offer a way to move large, complex, remote computer databases from the large urban areas to rural users. Recently, the Optical Information Systems (OIS) Conference provided an opportunity to discuss the use of this new technology for a variety of innovative applications; for example, "The State Education…

Intended to investigate ways in which electronic publishing might be further developed to serve important consumer needs and social interests that have yet to become a focus for the industry, this two-day planning meeting consisted of roundtable discussions with 16 electronic publishing experts and practitioners. Following a presentation of the…

Discusses factors that should be considered by buyers and producers of databases on CD-ROM (compact disc-read only memory). The advantages and disadvantages of CD-ROM are also discussed and compared with those of magnetic and print media, and market projections are provided. (CLB)

Examines developments in multimedia technologies and in the World Wide Web. Discusses CD-recordable, CD-rewritable, cable modems, personal digital assistants, digital video discs, interactivity and virtual worlds, advertising on the Web, and Intranets and CD-ROM networks. Eight tables and figures show costs, download time, estimated sales, storage…

This guide to materials on optical disks is designed to aid an individual in pursuing the study of optical disk technology through a review of the literature in the collections of the Library of Congress. A brief explanation of the scope of the topic introduces the references, which are listed in the following categories: (1) introductions to…

Description of new applications of digital optical disc storage technologies focuses on CD-ROM (Compact Disc--Read Only Memory); CD-I (Compact Disc--Interactive); and DV-I (Digital Video--Interactive). Features of each technology are described in the context of instructional design and educational technology, and the role of educational research…

Discusses library applications of several specific CD-ROM products, including library catalogs, book reviews, databases, encyclopedias, and interactive video programs. Such factors as cost effectiveness, ease of use, and user satisfaction are discussed, and a bibliography of books about CD-ROM is provided. (CLB)

Over the years, efforts have been made to work more efficiently with the ever increasing number of records and paper documents that cross workers' desks. Filing records on optical disk through electronic imaging is an alternative that many feel is the answer to successful document management. The pioneering efforts in electronic imaging in…

A review of the literature was undertaken to determine whether purchasing DIALOG in the CD-ROM format or subscribing to the DIALOG online format would be the better solution for middle school students interested in information retrieval. This report begins by stating the problem and defining common computer terms. A review of the related…

Centers on the current interest of using CD-ROM for text retrieval. Describes the digital video interactive (DVI) system which integrates graphics, audio, and video images with text. Explores why CD-ROM use by scientists is limited. (MVL)