Describes study that compared the costs of online searching on six databases in four systems. Costs of the search phase and the output phase are analyzed separately; transmission rate and telecommunication costs are examined; and the effects of pricing structures on online searches are discussed. (five references) (LRW)

Tough new environmental laws, coupled with fluctuating oil prices, are likely to prompt hundreds of school systems to examine alternative fuels. Literature reviews and interviews with 45 government, education, and industry officials provided data for a comparative analysis of gasoline, diesel, natural gas, methanol, and propane. (MLF)

To manage a company's overseas operations effectively, a human resources manager needs a basic understanding of the three types of employees that will work in the facilities: (1) local nationals; (2) third-country nationals; and (3) U.S. foreign service employees. (JOW)

A model of the relationship between cost and quality aspects of the demand for after-school child care was field tested with a sample of 41 midwestern parents. Results showed that 63 percent ranked quality factors before cost in choice of child care. The time involved in information seeking was relatively short. (JOW)

Electronic communication networks can provide facility planners with a rapid forum for the exchange of ideas and a quick survey process. Provides information about the Facilities and Services Listserv (FACSER), designed for the exchange of ideas related to higher education, and other services and networks such as BITNET, ARPANET, and INTERNET.…

Describes the differences between English and Chinese information retrieval and the problems with Chinese character entry and encoding. It is argued that regular expression searching facilitates Chinese character entry and retrieval. Mathematical models are developed for controlling noisy characters retrieved by regular expressions containing…

Describes desired software enhancements identified by the Southern California Online Users Group in the areas of search language, database selection, document retrieval and display, user interface, customer support, and cost and economic issues. The need to prioritize these wishes and to determine whether features should reside in the mainframe or…

Donald C. Burr, founder and CEO of PEOPLExpress, discusses the keys to the success of PEOPLExpress from the "peanuts fares" to the humanistic style of management, and the eventual demise of the airline. One area discussed is the role of information systems in business and the result of the airline's lack of an effective computerized…

Planning for microcomputer design and implementation should follow a six-step, classical corporate planning paradigm. The two most helpful tools to accomplish hardware implementation and staff development are setting goals and letting personnel know how these goals will be achieved. (MLH)

Summarizes the results of research that has examined the cost- effectiveness of media use in the instructional process. The use of instructional technology in the classroom is discussed, emphasizing the role of the teacher; and the increased use of media in business, government, and medicine is explored. (18 references) (LRW)

Discusses the need for system upgrades of automated library systems in order to support ongoing software releases; obtain new functional modules; satisfy new library requirements; conform to new industry standards; and utilize new technology. Guidelines are presented for deciding when to upgrade and implement changes in these areas. (11…

Summarizes the arguments of the debate on whether government publications should be segregated from or integrated into the general library collection. It is concluded that the main thrust of the separatist argument is economic, and that the availability of Government Printing Office tapes for full cataloging of government publications has…

Discusses the information needs of Congress and the use of online databases by librarians, analysts, and staffers to meet those needs. The features of online services that are particularly appropriate for responding to the needs of Congress are identified and possible future trends are explored. (one reference) (CLB)

Twelve school districts in Alberta are networked in a distance learning system that provides a wider range of programs to small schools in a cost effective manner. (MLF)

The study to determine rehabilitation feasibility of blind and visually impaired disability beneficiaries found that successfully rehabilitated clients were likely to be older and better educated, to require more money to be spent on case services, to receive a higher number of services, and to spend less time on agency rolls. (Author/DB)