Online bibliographic and network-based information systems are starting to blur the boundaries that separated print documents. Two concepts emerge as a consequence: the union record, an entity that combines multiple catalog records for a single bibliographic item; and an information dossier, a hypertext-like information object built by linking…

Discusses issues that deal with the interface of copyright law and online systems. Areas of change needed to maintain the balance between users and creators of electronic information are identified, limits of the Copyright Act are explored, and it is suggested that existing copyright law can be applied to electronic information. (four references)…

Suggests reasons why beginning second-language students try to translate into their primary language as they listen, even though this strategy is recognized as problematical, and proposes some teaching techniques to avoid their adopting it. (22 references) (GLR)

Describes virtual communities known as Multi-User Simulated Environment (MUSE) or Multi-User Object Oriented environment (MOO), text-based computer "communities" whose inhabitants are a combination of the real people and constructed objects that people agree to treat as real. Describes their uses in the classroom. (SR)

Discusses the need for comprehensive and accurate sources of information for librarians looking for information about online databases or CD-ROMs and compares, examines, and makes recommendations regarding three print and electronic directories--the "Gale Directory of Databases," Bowker's "World Databases," and Waterlow New…

Notes that writing centers use computers for computer-assisted instruction and word processing. Suggests that as the field moves towards the social in its scholarship and its writing technologies, writing centers might look towards e-mail for new forms of tutor-student collaboration. Describes an experiment with e-mail tutoring. Explores…

Describes ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and its possible uses, particularly in Macau (Portuguese territory down the coast from Hong Kong scheduled to return to Chinese sovereignty 12/20/99). Highlights include the speed of data and document transfer, access to online information, video conferencing, distance learning, and corporate…

Discussion of methodologies for online citation analysis focuses on a study of seven library-and-information-science journals that analyzed international characteristics on the basis of correlations between the geographical distribution patterns of authors, citations, and subscriptions. Also discusses Journal Impact Factor (JIF) as a measure of…

Contributes to scholarship on interactivity and online journalism by performing content analysis of 44 English-language Web newspapers from 14 Asian countries, offering and testing an enlarged theoretical framework for doing so. Finds that the online newspapers provided users with a relatively complex choice of news content, but most did not rate…

Examines the extent of change over a one-year period in the adult fiction titles most widely held by over 4000 OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. member public libraries. Findings indicate the most widely held titles are popular works that form a stable core from one year to the next. (Author/AEF)

Using trial searches for three best-selling books, this study examined the search facilities offered by shopping bots, which support consumers with the product search and identification stage in e-shopping. Findings indicate that effectiveness of bots not only depends upon search facilities but also upon product coverage, and other added value…

Describes an online service on the World Wide Web called the DOE (Department of Energy) "Information Bridge" that replaced distribution of physical paper reports and serves as an archive for electronic copies of DOE-sponsored technical reports. Explores the capabilities of the new site and examines implications for users and librarians.…

Discussion of quality control of data in online bibliographic databases focuses on authority files. Describes approximate string matching, introduces the concept of approximate word matching and clustering, and presents a case study using the Astrophysics Data System (ADS) that shows how to reduce human effort involved in authority work. (LRW)

Looks at online delivery of soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, interpersonal competence, and leadership. Suggests that, although online courses can be made meaningful, interesting, and valuable, it may be more difficult to ensure that appropriate interaction takes place. (JOW)

Discusses new pricing models for some online services and considers the possibilities for the traditional online database market. Topics include multimedia music databases, including copyright implications; other retail-oriented databases; and paying for free databases with advertising. (LRW)