Discusses the use of multimedia databases to track information from Web sites and to develop Web sites over the Internet. Four different types of databases are described: relational models; object oriented; relational-object hybrids; and specialty databases. Vendor contacts are listed. (LRW)

Discusses index construction for text collections, reviews principal approaches to inverted indexes, analyzes their theoretical cost, and presents experimental results of the use of a single-pass inversion method on Web document collections. Shows that the single-pass approach is faster and does not require the complete vocabulary of the indexed…

Proposes local similarity pattern (LSP) as a new method for computing digital image similarity. Topics include optimizing similarity computation based on genetic algorithm; relevance feedback; and an evaluation of LSP on five databases that showed an increase in retrieval precision over other methods for computing image similarity. (Author/LRW)

Describes the growth of the INSPEC database developed by the Institution of Electrical Engineers. Highlights include an historical background of its growth from "Science Abstracts"; production methods, including computerization; indexing, including controlled (thesaurus-based), uncontrolled, chemical, and numerical indexing; and the…

Examines the topic of Fuzzy Set Theory to determine the overlap of coverage in bibliographic databases. Highlights include examples of comparisons of database coverage; frequency distribution of the degree of overlap; records with maximum overlap; records unique to one database; intra-database duplicates; and overlap in the top ten databases.…

Presents a chart that explains the search syntax, features, and commands used by the 12 most widely used general Web search engines. Discusses Web standardization, expanded types of content searched, size of databases, and search engines that include both simple and advanced versions. (LRW)

Describes how electronic resources can support learning in small and medium-sized enterprises by identifying connections among management strategy, technology deployment, and knowledge creation. Examples of emerging practices in the use of electronic resources are used to develop a matrix that matches type of learning (adaptive, collaborative,…

Compares standard global information retrieval searching with more localized techniques to address the database selection problem that users often have when searching for the most relevant database, based on experiences with the Westlaw Directory. Findings indicate that a browse plus search approach in a hierarchical environment produces the most…

Examines the characteristics of Web resources in Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) Cooperative Online Resource Catalog (CORC) in terms of subject matter, source of content, publication patterns, and units of information chosen for representation in the database. Suggests that the ability to successfully use a database depends on…

Examined the use of cellular digital packet data (CDPD) systems by a state police agency to support a problem-oriented policing project (POP), focusing on 20 officers. The CDPD data system should have improved the agency's POP operations, but in practice, the benefits were not clear. Few differences were seen between officers who did and did not…

Offers a descriptive table of databases that help higher education institutions orchestrate advancement operations. Information includes vendor, contact, software, price, database engine/server platform, recommended reporting tools, record capacity, and client type. (EV)

Discusses how achieving compliance with the federal government's new Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) will require higher education institutions to establish, on a very tight schedule, systems to track international students and share data about them with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). (EV)

Briefly describes six principles from Education Commission of the States' Leadership for Literacy initiative designed to help make the teaching of reading more effective and efficient. Includes discussion of scientific evidence, standards, assessment systems, data management, professional knowledge, and alignment. (PKP)

Describes resources for researchers called the Invisible Web that are hidden from the usual search engines and other tools and contrasts them with those resources available on the surface Web. Identifies specialized search tools, databases, and strategies that can be used to locate credible in-depth information. (Author/LRW)

Describes two database systems in a law enforcement agency: one is a legacy, text-based system with cumbersome navigation; the newer system is a graphical user interface with simplified navigation. Discusses results of two user studies that showed personnel preferred the older more familiar system and considers implications for system design and…