The attempts of the International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD) and the International Serials Data System (ISDS) to achieve internationally a greater compatibility of cataloging standards are criticized on two points: (a) the difficulty of automatic recognition of some of the fields; and (b) the difficulty of interfiling descriptions…

Discusses issues relating to library software including: (1) the library market; (2) library participation in software development; (3) customer support; (4) software standards; (5) copy protection and software theft; and (6) software reviews. (MES)

Background information, the present status, and future needs for standards in library technology are discussed. (9 references) (SJ)

Discusses cabling that is needed in local area networks (LANs). Types of cables that may be selected are described, including twisted pair, coaxial cables (or ethernet), and fiber optics; network topologies, the manner in which the cables are laid out, are considered; and cable installation issues are discussed. (LRW)

Discusses computer viruses that attack the Macintosh and describes Symantec AntiVirus for Macintosh (SAM), a commercial program designed to detect and eliminate viruses; sample screen displays are included. SAM is recommended for use in library settings as well as two public domain virus protection programs. (four references) (MES)

How to best decide when it's time to replace your PC, whether at home or at work, is always tricky. Spending on computers can make you more productive, but it's money you otherwise cannot spend, invest or save, and faster systems always await you in the future. What is clear is that the computer industry really wants you to buy, and the computer…

In this column, the author outlines the details of this year's merger of Dynix and Sirsi, which resulted in the creation of the combined company, SirsiDynix. SirsiDynix is now the largest player in the library automation industry. Its earning power exceeds $125 million in annual revenue, and it will employ well over 700 and have a customer base…

The recent Library & Information Technology Association (LITA) National Forum was held in October in St. Louis, a city that was very focused on the present. The Cardinals were on their way to winning the National League Pennant, and across town, at Washington University, the presidential candidates were on stage with the second of their three…

Over the past several decades, millions of digital objects of significant scientific, economic, cultural, and historic value have been published and distributed to libraries and archives on removable media. Providing long-term access to these documents, media files, and software executables is an increasingly complex task because of dependencies…

The library and the computer are only tools to be used to render service. (PF)

Speculations about ways in which media centers will utilize computers in the future include applications for circulation, cataloging, reference, information retrieval, and computer controlled videodisc machines. (STS)

Four papers discuss: (1) advantages and disadvantages of uniform serial titles; (2) corporate names as qualifiers in uniform titles; (3) earliest entry cataloging of serials; and (4) latest entry cataloging in an automated environment. (MES)

Discusses the design principles behind the Unicorn Collection Management System, an integrated library system which includes modules for bibliographic and inventory control, circulation, academic reserves, serials control, authority control, acquisition, electronic mail, bulletin board, and enhanced public access. The flexibility of the system is…

Efforts of the Technical Standards for Library Automation Committee (TESLA), a division-wide committee of the Library Information and Technology Association (LITA) of the American Library Association, are described. The current status of suggested technical standards and recommended action are detailed. Five sources are given. (Author/EJS)