Discusses the generalized inverse Gaussian-Poisson (GIGP) process for informetric modeling. Negative binomial distribution is discussed, construction of the GIGP process is explained, zero-truncated GIGP is considered, and applications of the process with journals, library circulation statistics, and database index terms are described. (50…

Examines materials about laserdisks in literature published between 1970 and 1989 that addresses library applications. Searches on ERIC, Information Science Abstracts, Library and Information Science Abstracts, and Library Literature are reviewed; core laserdisk journals are discussed; indexing overlap is examined; and other online databases are…

The University of Florida has implemented an online payroll certification system that exemplifies how computer applications can result in higher quality information and provide real cost savings. In this case, the combined personnel savings exceeded 6.5 full-time-equivalent positions, more than twice the computing costs incurred. (MSE)

Discussion of indexing consistency focuses on a study that examined duplicate records in "Information Science Abstracts" to determine how consistent the indexing was. Literature on indexing consistency is reviewed; index terms are discussed, including descriptors and identifiers; and the relationship between indexing depth and…

The X.500 Directory Service provides a mechanism for finding information about people, organizations, services, network hardware, and more in the global network environment. Issues involved in X.500 participation by an organization include management support, data gathering, rights and concerns of individuals, access control, privacy, accuracy,…

This fact sheet about the INTERNET Gopher, an information distribution system combining features of electronic bulletin board services and databases, describes information availability, gateways with other servers, how the system works, and how to access Gopher. Addresses and telephone numbers for additional information or news about Gopher are…

The Electronic Data Transfer (EDT) network for Connecticut local school districts encompasses nine major databases and provides dozens of online data reports to network users. At a low cost and high degree of success, EDT has improved the data collection and reconciliation process at the state and local levels and generated a capacity for…

Describes a new text analysis approach to automate the indexing process, i.e., an automated keywording system designed to behave as a human expert indexer, and explains the rule base of the approach, which consists of lists of insertion and deletion rules generated by subject matter experts. (32 references) (Author/SD)

This article points out the critical importance of up-to-date information for small business entrepreneurs and describes two innovative initiatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): the national electronic bulletin board system called "SBA On-Line" and Business Information Centers in field locations. (JDD)

Describes an exploratory study of gender and power relationships on Megabyte University, one particular on-line conference. Finds that, although results of the study are not definite, they do suggest that gender and power are present to some extent even in on-line conferences. (MG)

A study to determine the effect of an interactive checker on student grammar and writing skills and on student attitudes about those skills found that those using the interactive checker have more positive feelings. Findings also indicated that those students writing with a computer gain equal proficiency in grammar. (JOW)

Between the infancy and the adulthood of online communications stand years of generational haggling between educators raised on the book and those hooked on the byte. The telecommunications infrastructure (phone lines, electronic bulletin boards, and international networks) can already help teachers bring within reach a world of people and…

Discusses the use of computer administered testing by The American College. Student performance on computer administered versus paper-and-pencil tests is examined, student attitudes about exams are described, the effects of time limits on computerized testing are considered, and offline versus online testing is discussed. (31 references) (LRW)

This issue includes six articles that discuss access to information provided by computerized databases and communications networks for legislators. Highlights include state legislative systems; information systems in the Senate; online services in the House of Representatives; information technology in the Congressional Research Service; the…

This article continues the description of DFT (Document, Find, Theseus), an online documentation system that provides computer-managed on-demand printing of software manuals as well as the interactive retrieval of reference passages. Document boundaries in the hypertext database are discussed, search vocabulary complexities are described, and text…