Describes the National Institute of Health's GenBank DNA sequence database and how it can be accessed through the Internet. A real reference question, which was answered successfully using the database, is reproduced to illustrate and elaborate on the potential of the Internet for information retrieval. (10 references) (KRN)

Examines why so many people have trouble understanding and accessing online systems, using the ERIC Silver Platter CD-ROM as an example. All online systems require users to know the proper procedures (protocols) to access information; these differ from product to product and change constantly. Users should know a particular database's scope and…

Outlines the Commission of the European Community's policy and actions for the dissemination and exploitation of the results of its research and technological development programs. Technology transfer as a basic ingredient for innovation is discussed, and the importance of understanding intellectual property protection is stressed. (Contains seven…

Five articles discuss information technology in libraries: (1) "Software for Libraries" (Katharine Phenix); (2) "Online Update: European Online Services" (Martin Kesselman); (3) "Connect Time: Online Pricing Breakthroughs" (Barbara Quint); (4) "Microcomputing: Micro Biology Computer Viruses" (James LaRue);…

Describes the development and installation of a hypermedia system for student use at the University of Texas Pan-American library that provides information about the library's resources as an alternative to existing printed materials. Highlights include selecting an authoring tool and computer hardware and the development of an icon-based system.…

Examines issues regarding the privacy of information contained in patron databases that have resulted from online circulation systems. Topics discussed include library policies to protect information in patron records; ensuring compliance with policies; limiting the data collected; security authorizations; and creating and modifying patron…

Describes a project at Carnegie Mellon University libraries to convert the congressional papers of the late Senator John Heinz to digital format and to create an online system to search and retrieve these papers. Highlights include scanning, optical character recognition, and a search engine utilizing natural language processing. (Author/LRW)

Describes the electronic network for interaction (ENFI) used by the author's writing classes and offers a brief example of "the conversation that it has helped student negotiate." Concludes that student discussions mediated by ENFI can enrich writing and literature classes. Presents evidence of how a specific sample of computer-mediated…

Describes the development of an online self-assessment of students' technology skills based on a summer program for middle school students. Explains how the course design was based on feedback from a student survey that indicated a need to learn PowerPoint and Web-page-design skills rather than word-processing skills. (LRW)

Discusses the state of library automation and the benefits and dilemmas of available operating systems. Presents an overview of six vendors selling online library systems (Ameritech, Endeavor, Data Research Associates, Sirsi, Innovative Interfaces, and Ex Libris). Provides sales figures based on the "Library Journal" articles published during the…

Describes a minicourse used at Duquesne University that teaches faculty effective online instruction skills and helps them adapt to the cultural change of the new online environment. Discusses the cultural change for faculty, development and application of the online model, training objectives, strategies for developing faculty interest, and…

Market-based and press-freedom variables were tested as predictors of "interactive" online journalism at the Web companions of 17 English-language Asian newspapers. A multidimensional conception of interactivity was used in the analysis. Findings suggest that market-based variables predict only certain facets of an online newspaper's…

Describes how the author implemented an online discussion group in his university English as a foreign language classroom. Notes that students benefit in many ways: they share experiences and learn from others, practice writing skills, and create a more interactive environment in and out of the classroom. (SR)

The Bowling Green State University Web tutorial, FALCON, models a standard library instructional session on use of the library's Web-based catalog. The tutorial's self-containment, achieved with a complex system of files and without a live catalog connection, enables users to learn how to search the catalog at a pace, time and place of their…

This report, informed by discussion of content activities at the 1999 IMesh Workshop, considers implications for subject based gateways of co-operation regarding coverage policy, creation of metadata, and provision of searching and browsing across services. Other possibilities for co-operation include working more closely with information…