Review of research on computer technology in education in the United States focuses on four aspects of microcomputer use: (1) quantitative (number of microcomputers available to students and teachers); (2) qualitative (location and use of these computers); (3) the impact of computer use; and (4) hypotheses about nonuse, limited use, and…

Reexamines the concept of usability and methods for measuring it with regard to hypermedia. Argues that the standard usability tests for text may not apply equally well to hypermedia because of its many differences from paper documents. (SR)

Discussion of the depreciation of assets for nonprofit organizations focuses on a study conducted at the Louisiana State University Law Library to determine the cost basis for depreciation of library materials. Determining the useful life of the library materials is described and various methods of depreciation are explained. (five references)…

Found that older adults enrolled in Health Maintenance Organization who were higher users of health care services were willing to participate in health promotion programs. People aged 85+ and those with chronic diseases were slightly more reluctant to participate. Close proximity to clinic and family physician support were important correlates of…

Discusses seven factors to consider in deciding whether or not to build on AppleWorks and Apple II technology now that Apple Computer is developing little new software for the system. Factors include the impact of change on users and the existence of mail-order support services, which are listed in a sidebar. (KRN)

Examined differences in patterns of service use between persons with probable or possible Alzheimer's disease who lived alone (n=439) versus those living with others (n=2,026). Found that those living alone were more likely female, poor, older, and had milder cognitive impairments; less likely to use medical services; and more likely to use…

Examined effects of social supports on use of health services by older adults, and whether those effects differ by race or gender. Data from 5,151 older adults revealed that effects of social support variables on use of health services differed by race and gender. Differences were not consistent across various measures of health services…

Participants in an international agriculture extension workshop rated the following as critical subjects to study regarding farmers' use of the Internet: technical problems, user benefits, drawbacks, and accessibility. Ways to improve effective use in agriculture were identified. (SK)

Discussion of self-report estimates of frequency and duration of computer use versus computer log data focuses on a study that compared self-report estimates and six months of electronic log data for health care workers using a new Community Services Information System. Correlations between the two types of data are reported. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of using document-management software to locate, acquire, and process articles for storage in an academic scholar's personal collection focuses on a study that examined the feasibility of using either DB/TextWorks or PageKeeper. Results favor PageKeeper due to a lower cost, ease of use, and other features. (Author/LRW)

The first of two parts, this article discusses concepts of value and establishes a theory of use-oriented value for information and information services. Examines the notion of value in philosophy, economics, and library and information services; explores the connection between value and relevance; and develops models of information use and…

Discusses a study of use of the Web-based virtual library at CISTI (Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information) by NRC (National Research Council of Canada). Results indicate that NRC staff is favorably inclined toward electronic resources and that a positive correlation exists between use of digital resources and perception and…

Addresses the current status and future presence of the Internet in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and provides a look at the reactions of two young, middle-class Saudi businessmen who were exposed to the Internet for the first time. (Author/AEF)

Presents an abstract for a planned session on the need to coordinate user studies and information retrieval system design research. Topics include human-based research and system-based research; children's information use; usability and cartographic information systems; and ethnomethodology and system design. Panelists included: Nick Belkin, Dania…

Suggests Web-based logs contain useful empirical data with which World Wide Web designers and design theorists can assess usability and effectiveness of design choices. Enumerates identification of types of Web server logs, client logs, types and uses of log data, and issues associated with the validity of these data. Presents an approach to…