Five major considerations to be addressed by college development programs before upgrading a computer system include: (1) evaluating functions of the current system; (2) assessing system capabilities needed; (3) discovering what users need; (4) deciding whether to patch an older system, build a new one in house, or buy it complete; and (5)…

Describes the integrated Intelligent Tutor, Environment and Manual for Introductory Programing (ITEM/IP), which supports a course on computer programing based on the minilanguage Turingal. Discussion covers system design, including design philosophy, system overview, concepts included and information structure, programing laboratory mode,…

Discusses the concept and design of an enriched learning and information environment that was originally developed at Indiana University in partnership with AT&T (American Telephone and Telegraph). Topics addressed include constructivism, cognitive tools, representing expert behavior, apprenticeship, technological tools, information tools,…

Discusses issues connected with developing information systems for competitive intelligence support; defines the elements of an effective competitive information system; and summarizes issues affecting system design and implementation. Highlights include intelligence information; information needs; information sources; decision making; and…

Discusses changes that have made desktop publishing appealing and reasonably priced. Hardware, software, and printer options for getting started and moving on, typeface developments, and the key characteristics of desktop publishing are described. The author's notes on 33 articles from the personal computing literature from January-March 1994 are…

Built using a distributed architecture, this prototype distributed information retrieval system uses statistical ranking techniques to provide better service to the end user. Distributed architecture was shown to be a feasible alternative to centralized or CD-ROM information retrieval, and user testing of the ranking methodology showed both…

Discusses the use of an optical jukebox in a retrieval-intensive application--i.e., for a law firm's litigation support--and examines factors affecting the performance of the jukebox. The imaging system's configuration is explained, document access from workstations is described, and expectations of retrieval times are discussed. (LRW)

Describes microcomputer-based networks which have been implemented at Vanderbilt University's library to support technical services workstations that use NOTIS, catalog with OCLC, and transfer OCLC records to the NOTIS database using GTO (Generic Transfer and Overlay). It is noted that the network configurations can serve as models for other…

Describes page structure models for the design of electronic books. Approaches to electronic book design are discussed, including CD-ROM, multimedia, and hypermedia; information delivery techniques in electronic books are discussed; and three case studies are reviewed: screen design for computer-based training, interactive guidebooks, and…

Described are some of the ways in which computers can enter invisibly into people's lives. The social issues that embodied virtuality will engender are discussed. The hardware and software, connected by wires, radio waves, and infrared that will allow this to occur are described. (KR)

Creative applications of computer networks are discussed. Products and services of the future that come from imaginative applications of both channel and computing capacity are described. The topics of entertainment, transactions, and electronic personal surrogates are included. (KR)

Describes tracking tools used by designers and users to evaluate the efficacy of hypermedia systems. Highlights include human-computer interaction research; tracking tools and user-centered design; and three examples from the Interactive Multimedia Group at Cornell University that illustrate uses of various tracking tools. (27 references) (LRW)

Describes the components of electronic performance support systems that are used for the provision of information, decision support, and training for on-the-job employees. Rationale for the use of performance support systems is discussed, design of the systems is considered, development and distribution are addressed, and future possibilities are…

Presents a network design and development plan for a flexible, distributed client-server network of resource sharing libraries in Illinois. The plan's development in phases, design constraints and alternatives, migration strategy, and components are explained. Application of the model to other statewide or regional networks is suggested. (Contains…

Proposes a method of evaluating information retrieval systems by concentrating on individual tools (commands, their menus or graphic interface equivalents, or a move/stratagem). A user would assess the relative success of a small part of a search, and every tool used in that part would be credited with a contribution to the result. Cumulative…