Reviews the economic theory of property rights and explores four applications of the transaction cost theory of property rights and free distribution in the economics of information: (1) copying technology; (2) computer software and copy protection; (3) satellite television and encryption; and (4) public libraries. (56 references) (MES)

Presents a methodology for extending string indexing from index display production to the provision of descriptor phrases for term proximity searching. Objectives of the extension are discussed, and an illustration of the use of an existing string indexing system for this purpose is given. (14 references) (CLB)

A review of the Writer Rabbit software program details its multiple classroom uses, focusing on language arts activities such as practicing identification and classification of sentence parts, practicing spelling, and inventing stories. (CB)

Demonstrates how three commercial microcomputer software packages--PC-Talk III, Wordstar, and dBase III--were combined to produce an integrated library system at the U.S. Army Concepts Analysis Agency library. The retrospective conversion process is discussed, and the four modules of the system are described: acquisitions/cataloging; online…

Reports findings of a survey of 10 general access collections of microcomputer hardware and software located in university libraries. Hardware, software, staffing, and software evaluation collections are discussed, and miscellaneous comments and tips from respondents are included. Seven appendices list data. (MES)

A FORTRAN 77 program is described that computes both the different response success-error patterns and their summary statistics for learning and forgetting in fixed trial experiments using a two-stage Markov model. (Author/GDC)

A complete package for Markov model-based fixed trial learning experiments contains four FORTRAN 77 programs. Two of the programs deliver likelihood and parameter estimates of one- and two-stage learning models, and two may be used for hypothesis testing of parameter differences between and within experimental conditions. (Author/GDC)

Computer-aided design (CAD) has been around for a number of years. An overview is provided of a number of major computer-aided design programs. A short analysis of each program includes the addresses of the software producers. (MLF)

A general latent variable model allows for maximum likelihood estimation with missing data. LISREL and LISCOMP programs may be used to carry out this estimation. Simulated data were generated. The proposed Full, Quasi-Likelihood estimator was found to be superior to listwise present quasi-likelihood and pairwise present approaches. (Author/GDC)

This description of an electronic bulletin board used by the Wisconsin Interlibrary Services network to process requests covers hardware, software, costs, advantages of the system, operation, training, maintenance, and problems encountered. (MES)

Library user guides from seven large academic libraries were examined for readability using microcomputer software for analysis. Results indicated that most guides are written at or above a reading level of grade 12. Appendices summarize readability formulas and depict in a composite graph the levels of all of the guides examined. (16 references)…

The first of two articles presents basic selection criteria for desktop publishing software packages, including discussion of expectations, required equipment, training costs, publication size, desired software features, additional equipment needed, and quality control. The second provides a brief description of desktop publishing using the Apple…

This electronic utility promises to instantly deliver to the classroom a vast array of constantly updated instructional materials--software, textbooks, news services, video, databases, reference sources, word processing, and spreadsheet tools--and to bring all of technology's capabilities together into one integrated system. (Author)

Exchange of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) material between institutions is often impeded by incompatabilities of hardware, software, and curriculum. The use of a driver program is suggested to resolve these problems and facilitate exchange of instructional material. Technical details of the program described (and lessons used) are available…

This article discusses the hardware and software components of three workstations suitable for evaluation researchers, one for those on a limited budget, one for professional researchers, and one for a research team or department. Prices range from $3,000 to $30,000. A wide variety of workstation possibilities is illustrated. (Author/BS)