Discussion of human/system interactions that are fundamental to online searching focuses on studies that examined online searchers' performance on DIALOG when they searched specific users' questions. Cognitive tests that were given to searchers are described; and calculating the odds for relevance, precision, and recall is explained. (four…

The University of Tennessee's coordinated Faculty Interests/Funding Opportunities database system comprises statewide computer networking facilities, information from many sources, results of annual surveys, over 50 relational database files and software, and software applications. The system allows matching of information on funding opportunities…

The Magazine and Journal Instructional Kit (MAJIK/1) is a HyperCard program delivering basic individualized library instruction. Using a technique derived from naturalistic inquiry, the program's formative evaluation was conducted at the University of Maryland, College Park, with 28 upperclassmen as subjects. They reported little difficulty with…

Discussion of issues involved in planning a multimedia CD-ROM product explains the selection of authoring tools, the design of a user interface, expert systems, text conversion and capture (including scanning and optical character recognition), and problems associated with image files. The use of audio is also discussed, and a 14-item glossary is…

The infrastructure created by fusing computing and communications technologies is described. The effect of this infrastructure on the economy and society of the United States is discussed. The importance of knowing the value and role of information is emphasized. (KR)

Human-computer interface design concepts are used as the criteria for evaluating the benefits and shortcomings of San Diego State University Library's online catalog, INNOPAC (the PAC). Features discussed include integrated files, search capabilities, system availability, user interface, record-to-record links, boolean operations, subject access,…

Describes the development of a prototype Intelligent Reference Information System (IRIS) at the University of Houston library which integrated a CD-ROM local area network (LAN) and expert system technologies. Evaluations of the CD-ROM LAN performance and user reactions are reported, and possible future developments are discussed. (13 references)…

Examples of school systems that are using technology effectively show that school districts should take the following steps: (1) link measurable educational purposes with technology; (2) manage organizational and instructional changes to support technology; (3) create a long-term infrastructure plan for the entire school district; and (4)…

Provides historical background on hypertext and hypermedia; discusses their use in the humanities; gives examples of hypersystem applications in the humanities; and examines libraries' roles in the use of hypersystems in the humanities, including financing, implementation, evaluation, and humanist attitudes toward technology and hypersystems. (178…

Describes an analysis of transaction logs of the online catalog at the University of Missouri-Kansas City that examined patron use of both controlled and uncontrolled vocabulary subject access during the same search session. Hypotheses tested are discussed, and recommendations are made for library instruction and online catalog design. (six…

Presents a conceptual framework and a coherent method for information-technology design in an organizational context within the participatory-design tradition. The MUST method, developed through projects in Danish and American organizations, is based on thorough participation with users and managers and combines the use of ethnographic techniques…

Introduces a vision for how a multimedia learning system might work, and describes the design parameters involved in developing the EyeCue System, a large-scale interdisciplinary research-and-development project under development at North Carolina State University. (AEF)

Reports on the design of an automated query system to help pharmacologists access the Derwent Drug File (DDF). Topics include knowledge types; knowledge representation; role of the search intermediary; vocabulary selection, thesaurus, and user input in natural language; browsing; evaluation methods; and search statement generation for the World…

U.K.'s Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP) developed a General-Purpose Integrated Learning Support (G-PILS) tool-kit and shell. G-PILS creates course/module specific learning support systems to manage the integration of courseware in a range of knowledge media (e.g., games, tutorial packages, simulations, electronic documents,…

Reports on an experiment in which detailed logging of the use of experimental information systems was used to determine the optimal configuration of the systems for users. Results suggest that systems can be created for users by analysis of the interaction of design features with personal characteristics such as cognitive abilities. (Author/LRW)