Discusses consumer and industrial videodisc systems for information storage including cost, technology utilized, formats, and features. Reflective and transmissive laser optical systems are described, as well as the grooved and grooveless mechanical systems. Tables containing product data are included. (JJD)

Highlights the advantages of using holography for information storage, character recognition, file security systems, and other applications. (FM)

Reviews current terminology related to personal computing, referring to a previous article written five years ago. Highlights include Macintosh processors; Pentium processors; computer memory; computer buses; video displays; storage devices; newer media; and miscellaneous terms and concepts. (LRW)

Presents tips to help PTA leaders manage the paperwork that comes across their desks, explaining the importance of making a firm commitment to two rules of paper management: (1) deal with each item as soon as it lands on one's desk, and (2) make a decision to do one of four things with the paper (act on it, pass it on, file it, or toss it). (SM)

Asserts that, although the need to keep client records is clear, there is little information available as to how to construct client record. Presents guidelines for what data should be contained in intake summaries, along with assessments, treatment plans, case notes, and other supplemental materials. (Author/NB)

Reviews the status of photostats and microfilm at the New York Public Library, including evaluations of the demand for each and the relationship between the two forms during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Reasons why the two forms continue to coexist--even though it was predicted that microfilm would replace photostats--are discussed. (24…

Presents a basic orientation to the functions and capabilities of disk operating systems (DOS), aimed at the nontechnically oriented user of IBM personal computers and compatible microcomputers. Areas discussed include booting up, the use of floppy and hard disks, file storage and manipulation, and directories. Further readings are provided. (CLB)

Discusses whether and how compact disk technology can make trainers more effective in improving human performance within organizations. Includes basic information on CD-ROM (compact disk-read only memory). (JOW)

Proposes a cost/benefit model coupled with a decision tree for determining normal forms, which are used in information systems development processes to group data into well-refined structures. The three primary variables that impact the benefits and costs of normalization (reduced anomalies, storage requirements, and transaction response times)…

Introduces this issue, which contains papers from the 1991 Data Compression Conference, and defines data compression. The two primary functions of data compression are described, i.e., storage and communications; types of data using compression technology are discussed; compression methods are explained; and current areas of research are…

This paper examines the design and evaluation of a TV on Demand (TVoD) system, consisting of a globally accessible storage architecture where all TV content broadcast over a period of time is made available for streaming. The proposed architecture consists of idle Internet Service Provider (ISP) servers that can be rented and released dynamically…

Over the past several decades, millions of digital objects of significant scientific, economic, cultural, and historic value have been published and distributed to libraries and archives on removable media. Providing long-term access to these documents, media files, and software executables is an increasingly complex task because of dependencies…

The objectives of this project were to assist the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in developing a policy for the representation, transfer, access, and preservation of electronic records of permanent value. A lack of attention to the management, retention, and selective preservation of these machine-readable records will result…

A study of computer facilities in British libraries highlighted the respective benefits and disadvantages of using the parent institution's central computer or using a dedicated minicomputer. The large computer's technical advantages include greater opportunities for sharing or buying operational software, and the availability of experienced…

The demand for computers to help manage learning comes mostly from those engaged in attempts to individualize education, who have discovered a need for computers to help them make decisions and organize their data. This paper considers the problems that can arise in implementing computer-managed learning by indicating what has happened in…