This essay proposes the theory of normative behavior and presents general discussions of two communities-the online world of virtual communities and the world of feminist booksellers associated with the Women in Print Movement-that can be used as test cases for that theory. (Contains 73 references.) (AEF)

The resolution power of a key is its ability, in the context of other keys for a given request, to increase query performance. This article studies the statistical properties of search keys, methods of characterizing the resolution power of keys automatically, and effects keys of varying resolution power have on retrieval effectiveness. (AEF)

Describes the efforts some states are making to regulate online colleges that lack accreditation. The problem is complicated by the fact that if a state takes a tough approach, the institutions can easily change mailing addresses to obtain degree-granting licenses in other states. Describes some of these colleges and some of the accrediting…

The discrete forms of knowledge required for successful use of interactive information systems are investigated. Achievement of three forms of knowledge among novice users of a CD-ROM encyclopedia was examined. Tasks measured users' knowledge and skills in managing/controlling the system, navigating between information nodes, and selecting…

Discusses the use of telecommunications in elementary and secondary education and gives examples of classroom activities relating to math and science that use online services such as America Online, CompuServe, and Prodigy; electronic bulletin boards; educational computer networks; electronic mail; and listservs from the Internet. (Contains two…

Summarizes and reviews features of digital telephone directories that provide business and/or residential listings via CD-ROMs and online services. A table outlines cost information and the number of listings in each of the directories reviewed, and three articles that provide information about electronic phone directories are listed in a sidebar.…

Describes the CIStudio (Chemical Information Studio), a one-credit undergraduate chemistry course at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Focuses on the integration of electronic and print sources of chemical information, especially Internet-accessible reference and database services. Discusses administrative, instructor, and student issues involved.…

Explains the process involved in publishing on the World Wide Web in four steps: (1) how to find an Internet service; (2) how to learn a programming language; (3) how to design a web page; and (4) how to advertise it. (TB)

Discusses the impact of information technology requirements on the costs of electronic libraries. Addresses key questions concerning hardware, software and network installation and upgrades and provides strategies for dealing with the needs for continuous funding and long-term financing that are essential for keeping up with the requirements of…

Presents 4 guiding concepts--organization, communication, collaboration, and enculturation--and 10 related principles for supporting instructors as they develop online courses. The principles are described using examples from the authors' experience as faculty development specialists. Principles focus on technical, pedagogical, and production…

An empirical investigation of information retrieval using the MEDLINE database was carried out to study user behavior, performance and to investigate the reasons for suboptimal searches. Subjects were two groups of final year medical students (novice and expert users of the search system). Findings indicate that just one factor can cause poor…

Describes cognitive and affective characteristics of children and teenagers that may affect their Web searching behavior. Reviews literature on children's searching in online public access catalogs (OPACs) and using digital libraries. Profiles two Web search engines. Discusses some of the difficulties children have searching the Web, in the…

Examines the relationship between higher education and corporate business in North America, culminating in what is coming to be called the E-Learning Corporation, a new and closer interaction that has enormous potential benefit for institutions and for society in general. Discussion highlights include higher education and society as adversary; the…

Describes Project LIS (library information systems), a student-originated and student-developed metasite of URLs that points to information about integrated online library systems (IOLS) vendors, electronic journal titles and specific e-journal articles addressing IOLS topics of interest, and general information sources that might be accessed by…

Describes an online self-organizing social system (OSOSS) which allows large numbers of individuals to self-organize in a highly decentralized manner to solve problems and accomplish other goals. Topics include scalability and bandwidth in online learning; self-organization; learning objects; instructional design underlying OSOSS, including…