This bibliography provides citations to 74 articles which compare either single databases across different systems or different databases to each other. All articles included were published after 1976 in Database, Online, Online Review, or the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association. A subject index is provided. (EJS)

Several pilot projects that use videodiscs for educational purposes are described, and other sources that are currently planning or producing instructional videodiscs are discussed. (CHC)

Examines the development of reciprocal cooperation in dyads by allowing one subject at a time to be dependent upon a partner and then reversing this condition periodically. Subjects were 10 special education unit students who ranged in age from 10 to 16 years. (MP)

Describes the structure and modes of operation of the Bundessprachenamt's (BSprA: Federal Office of Languages of the Federal Republic of Germany) terminology data bank as an aid to translation. Analyzes advantages and disadvantages of each user mode, and discusses probable developments in the immediate future of machine-aided translation. (MES)

Reviews the background of the "TARGET Project for Aids to Translation," its current facilities, and its goals. Describes the system's central feature as an interactive, multilingual terminology database intended to eliminate time wasted in researching unknown terms and to facilitate final document production, study of person-machine…

Introduces a generic, application-independent model of human-computer information-seeking dialog, the Conversational Roles (COR) Model, and reviews the theoretical background. COR is represented as a recursive state-transition-network that determines legitimate types and possible sequences of dialog acts, and categorizes dialog acts on the basis…

The development of safety-critical systems (aircraft cockpits and reactor control rooms) is qualitatively different from that of other interactive systems. These differences impose burdens on design teams that must ensure the development of human-machine interfaces. Analyzes strengths and weaknesses of formal methods for the design of user…

Review of encyclopedias and other databases available on CD-ROM focuses on the International Encyclopedia of Education (IEE). Problems with software and hardware are described, perspectives from the computer industry are presented, the commercial potential of CD-ROMs is discussed, and a list of sources is provided. (six references) (LRW)

Describes two systems--Wide Area Information Servers (WAIS) and Rosebud--that provide protocol-based mechanisms for accessing remote full-text information servers. Design constraints, human interface design, and implementation are examined for five interfaces to these systems developed to run on the Macintosh or Unix terminals. Sample screen…

Discusses expert systems, intelligent computer-assisted instruction, and human-machine interface as they relate to business and education. (JOW)

Graphical User Interface (GUI)--and its variant, pen computing--is rapidly replacing older types of operating environments. Despite its heavier demand for processing power, GUI has many advantages. (SK)

Discussion of computer-mediated communication (CMC) focuses on a study that examined the similarity between computer bulletin board users' perceptions of individuals from whom they received messages and the users' perceptions of the computer itself. Hypotheses tested are explained, mechanomorphism is discussed, and implications of the findings for…

Discusses artificial intelligence (AI) and considers four potential roles for AI in information retrieval (IR): (1) information characterization, i.e., building a knowledge base; (2) information seeking, i.e., search formulation; (3) support functions, including abstracting; and (4) systems integration. Three examples are given that show how AI…

Clifford Nass, one of the authors of "The Media Equation: How to Treat Computers, Television and New Media Like Real People and Places," observes that, when people interact with computers, television, and other new media, they tend to display the same social behaviors as when they react to other humans. (JOW)

Describes expert systems and discusses their use in libraries. Highlights include parts of an expert system; expert system shells; an example of how to build an expert system; a bibliography of 34 sources of information on expert systems in libraries; and a list of 10 expert system shells used in libraries. (Contains five references.) (LRW)