Describes the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) system, how it is organized, how to gain access to ERIC, how one uses RIE (Resources in Education) and CIJE (Current Index to Journals in Education), computer searches of ERIC, who publishes in ERIC, and how to learn more about ERIC. A sample ERIC resume is included. (CT)

Several online vendors address the issue of RFPs (requests for proposals) for library systems, discussing the documents' style, technical standards, library expectations, liabilities associated with using this procedure, factors in the decision to bid, and the need for a standardized document and national clearinghouse. (CLB)

Discusses the need for knowledge gateway systems to provide access to scattered information and the use of technologies in gateway building, including artificial intelligence and expert systems, networking, online retrieval systems, optical storage, and natural language processing. The status of four existing gateways is described. (20 references)…

A survey of business librarians at schools offering graduate degrees in business showed that: (1) most librarians search databases other then those related to business subjects; (2) most searches are for citations to articles; (3) most searches are paid for on a cost recovery basis; and (4) most librarians do searches for off-campus patrons.…

A comparative evaluation of two computerized reference retrieval systems, INSTRUCT (a statistically-based system) and PLEXUS (a knowledge-based system) examined their retrieval effectiveness for a set of 19 queries and 512 documents on gardening. Best results were obtained by using terms suggested by PLEXUS as the basis for an INSTRUCT search. (36…

EDUCOM, a consortium of more than 500 colleges and universities involved in computing, favors the establishment of a review process that would help professors identify useful computer programs and promote the recognition of software development as a scholarly activity worthy of credit toward tenure and promotion. (MLW)

Infrastructures and competitiveness are considered in the context of library networking, library service, and economic development in the state of North Carolina. The North Carolina Information Network, a network developed and maintained by the state library and responsive to the needs of the nonlibrary community, is described. (MES)

Describes Datamondo, an instructional package that introduces the use of a newspaper database in humanities teaching at the secondary level in Italy. The effectiveness of the package in developing basic linguistic skills and as a research tool is evaluated. (8 references) (Author/CLB)

Presents short text in French and discusses possible methods of extending word processing to allow text entry, text editing, and hard copy output of foreign characters. Highlights include discussions of using ASCII for English and problems with French, one-character and two-character approaches, and examples in terms of specific microcomputer…

An analysis of pricing policies and costs of LEXIS and WESTLAW indicates that it is less expensive to subscribe to both using a PC microcomputer rather than a dedicated terminal. Rules for when to use each database are essential to lowering the costs of online legal research. (EM)

Discussion of a new method of index term dictionary compression in an inverted-file-oriented database highlights a technique of word coding, which generates short fixed-length codes obtained from the index terms themselves by analysis of monogram and bigram statistical distributions. Substantial savings in communication channel utilization are…

Lists and describes databases that provide software reviews and directories, and that focus on particular applications, including engineering, education, libraries, microcomputers, and general business. A directory of these databases is provided which includes the database producer, starting date, updating frequency, and online access vendor. (CLB)

Compares the performance of ABI/INFORM on the DIALOG, NEXIS and DIALCOM systems in terms of documentation, database and system design, convenience, and cost. Examples of searches on the various systems are given. (CLB)

Faced with an increasing need for data by the West Liberty State College administration and the West Virginia Board of Regents, an in-house system was designed that provides online update/inquiry to an integrated, nonredundant collection of data files via user-friendly menus. (Author/MLW)

Provides overview of design requirements for transparent information retrieval (implies that user sees through complexity of retrieval activities sequence). Highlights include need for transparent systems; history of transparent retrieval research; information retrieval functions (automated converters, routers, selectors, evaluators/analyzers);…