Examines materials about laserdisks in literature published between 1970 and 1989 that addresses library applications. Searches on ERIC, Information Science Abstracts, Library and Information Science Abstracts, and Library Literature are reviewed; core laserdisk journals are discussed; indexing overlap is examined; and other online databases are…

The Machine Readable Collections Reading Room of the Library of Congress is described with an emphasis on the reference assistance required and how it compares with assistance required in other areas of the Library of Congress. The interaction between users and librarians is shown to be like that of bibliographic instruction. (EAM)

Discussion of discourse created by computers defines discourse as a pattern of cognitive functioning and identifies two such modes of thought: narrative and expository. Discussion covers the computer as discourse; schemas as a way to understand how knowledge is organized; simulations, hypermedia, and databases as discourse; and interactive…

Describes an image database system assembled using separate computer components that was developed to overcome text-only computer hardware storage and retrieval limitations for a pavement design class. (JJK)

Discusses "REFLEX," a software package for scheduling. Explores the program's applications in preparing a departmental class schedule. Explains that "REFLEX" includes a filter function and some attributes of a spreadsheet but lacks the ability to interact with other databases. Concludes that the program can make scheduling…

Describes a project that examined textual information available on the Internet and potential means of providing access to this information. Highlights include an overview of Internet resources, a profile of a document sample, description of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) sites, and an automated method of categorizing files. (MES)

Examines usage scenarios for a database of descriptive information to access networked information resources such as online library catalogs, file archives, online journal article repositories, and information servers. Existing classification schemes and their usefulness for networked information resources are discussed. Specific data elements…

Describes the use of file transfer protocol (FTP) on the INTERNET computer network and considers its use as an electronic publishing system. The differing electronic formats of text files are discussed; the preparation and access of documents are described; and problems are addressed, including a lack of consistency. (LRW)

Fax-on-demand is a response application that allows callers to use touchtone telephones to access databases and other information. The information is then delivered to the caller's fax machine. Ten sidebars describe a variety of specific services. (11 references) (DB)

Discusses the national program for preservation microfilming in research libraries and suggests that microfilm is not the appropriate medium to be used. Recommendations for the electronic storage of materials on computerized databases are made; disadvantages of microfilm are described; interlibrary loan problems are discussed; and effects on…

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…

A study investigated the relationship between in-patient hospital costs, charges, and length of stay and use of MEDLINE searches. Results indicate that, among patients for whom searches were conducted early in the case, these variables were significantly less than those for whom searches were conducted later. (Author/MSE)

Discusses how hypermedia interfaces can use graphic design and language to help users of hypermedia programs to structure a cognitive approach to information retrieval. Argues that such interfaces should acknowledge the medium's limits, identify authorship levels, define a program model, provide overviews, and narrow the navigation functions. (SR)

Discusses repurposing content for computer-assisted instruction. Topics addressed include cost reduction; cost effectiveness; instructional quality and consistency; design issues; database design, including organizing information for repurposing and the use of courseware; and examples derived from multimedia and hypermedia applications. (LRW)

Provides a historical review of EBSCO Industries' development and services and discusses future directions. Highlights include serials subscription services; the influence of technology; library standards; a new company division, EBSCO Publishing; CD-ROM products; full-text documents; and a cooperative project with the British Library. (LRW)