A computerized fund-raising office relies on two software capabilities: word-processing software (to create, edit, store, and print text) and database software (to store, organize, and sort large numbers of facts). These capabilities handle: mass-producing personalized letters, maintaining records of gifts and acknowledgments, and generating lists…

The results of an adaptation to a community college of Simpson's (1987) model for tracking student persistence within major and at the institution is presented. The software used is described and a discussion of the issues that arise in looking at persistence within a community college setting is provided. (Author/MLW)

The development of teacher-made "program pyramids" is recommended to organize individualized educational sequences for special needs students. The process involves analysis of the student's strengths and weaknesses, identification of general program domains, specification of program subdomains, statement of long-range goals, development of…

School districts need a strategic, comprehensive, electronic data processing resources plan that would include the following major elements: (1) systems; (2) hardware; (3) software; (4) staffing; (5) control; and (6) projected budgets. (MLF)

Alumni research does not yet have its own body of literature and resources. Readings are selected from related areas, such as fundraising, marketing, survey research, and other resource books. (MLW)

The paper reviews a decade's efforts to influence Pakistan's disability policies towards greater involvement of existing community resources, rather than heavy government investment in institutional development. Differences between progressive Western views and pragmatic Third World planners are described. An information systems approach is…

Describes the planning, development, implementation and impact of online information systems at three academic libraries. Some of the issues discussed include the campus computing environments, factors affecting the selection of databases and search systems, the impact of the system on library staff and users, and future considerations. (CLB)

The use of prototyping and simulation at St. Louis University to evaluate the implementation decisions and design of a student information system are described with regard to their impact on, and interaction with, institutional policies and procedures. (Author/MLW)

The University of Rochester's experience with online analytical processing (OLAP), part of its executive information system, is reported. The server, a multiuser, local area network (LAN)-based database loaded from legacy systems or a data warehouse, can rapidly manipulate and display data, and allows quick creation and changing of analytical…

Discusses similarities and differences between knowledge acquisition in expert systems and requirement acquisition in others kinds of information systems (particularly decision support systems). Examines role-limiting methods for automated knowledge acquisition and their integration from the problem-solving perspective. Suggests a feasibility…

Outlines the basic options that schools and libraries have for accessing the Internet, focusing on four models: direct connection; dial access using SLIP/PPP (Serial Line Internet Protocol/Point-to-Point Protocol); dial-up using terminal emulation mode; and dial access through commercial online services. Discusses access option issues such as…

Compares expert-/novice-based problem-solving behaviors with a Geographic Information Systems program. Uses naturalistic methods to analyze problem-solving strategies for occurrence of thematic elements. Reports that experts relied on logical formulations to query the database while novices used trial-and-error methods and midlevel cognitive…

Describes a study of 11 large firms that identified difficulties that organizations encounter in matching current information technologies with business needs. The main problems are discussed, including high costs of new technology, lack of computer literacy among senior management, and lack of time in the information systems department. (Contains…

A discussion of digital bibliography in the medical sciences looks at whether existing bibliographic techniques are appropriate for the new media, and the location of responsibility for emerging digital bibliography. Developments in medical informatics and medical librarianship are examined, and it is concluded that collaboration between these…

A panel of four conference presenters address issues related to paying for services provided through online systems. Discussion includes the following topics: metering devices; electronic/digital cash; working within existing banking/credit card structures; provision of payment mechanisms in countries without extensive credit card usage; and…