Describes basic strategy for cocitation searching, i.e., searching for any document citing at least two other specified documents, usually on same topic. Search terms, using combinations for retrieving cocited papers, boundary spanning, retrieving review articles, adding new cited sources to modify strategy, and cited sources/free-text terms are…

Presents survey of two groups of databases covering patent literature: patent literature only and general literature that includes patents relevant to subject area of database. Description of databases and comparison tables for patent and general databases (cost, country coverage, years covered, update frequency, file size, and searchable data…

Describes Linked Systems Project (LSP), which is designed to connect three large bibliographic networks in an "open" manner without changing the systems. "Open systems," standards, advantages of linking systems, interchange of authority data, Library of Congress Name Authority Cooperative Project, record transfer and…

Describes origin, development, and current state of Research Libraries Information Network's (RLIN) Command Analysis System, which digests large quantities of raw data on RLIN use and performance and produces useful graphs and reports. Recent results of system and pragmatic issues in analysis of online systems are noted. (7 references) (EJS)

Explores use of interactive videodisc, which combines videotape in disc format, with its various video and audio information, and the computer, either as part of disc player or external interface. Examples of a variety of industrial/educational applications are cited: Library of Congress, inventory, physician instruction, University of Iowa. (8…

Outlines traditional and nontraditional information services developed at a large, highly diversified firm to exploit power and value of online databases and support goals of the Independent Searching Program. Highlights include awareness, set-up and vendor selection; training and continuing support; local database building; electronic search…

Describes microcomputer-based automation for library applications, noting use of inexpensive (sometimes free) existing programs and software such as dBase II to write or modify programs to meet specific needs. Programs written for the IBM PC-XT to produce serials lists and analyze serials collections are included. Five references are listed. (EJS)

Presents a nine point "User Friendly Index" scale used to describe increasing or declining degree of computer system friendliness. Terms to denote the user system such as intimate, friendly, cordial, polite, crabby, ornery, hostile, and vicious are discussed. Seven references are cited. (EJS)

Presents a modification function for weights of descriptors for documents in fuzzy retrieval systems which includes some desirable properties that are lacking in the model proposed by Choros and Danilowicz in their study on relative indexing. (MBR)

Describes the uses of Lotus 1-2-3 (a spreadsheet-graphics-database program created by Lotus Development Corporation) and Symphony 1.1 (a refinement and expansion of Symphony 1.01 providing memory efficiency, speed, ease of use, greater file compatibility). Spreadsheet and graphics capabilities, the use of windows, database environment, and…

Microcomputers enable school public relations professionals to serve the educational community more effectively than ever. Successful computerization requires reliable state-of-the-art hardware and software, competent service, and knowledgeable/available consultation. Information is provided about word processing functions, the modem, and various…

Discusses the use of computerized information retrieval systems in community college settings, focusing on the Bibliographic Retrieval Services (BRS) system. Provides an overview of BRS's 70 databases, searching procedures, costs uses, and limiting factors in information retrieval system use at two-year colleges. (DMM)

Emphasizes class maintenance of National Library of Medicine's bibliographic retrieval file in which maintenance actions (replacement, deletion, addition) reflect yearly changes in Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). File maintenance of other authoritative information attached to headings, class maintenance failures, checking class maintenance,…

Reports of two experimental studies of uses of citing statements to augment full-text information retrieval of biomedical papers indicate that 78 percent of the words in computer-recognized citing statements were correctly attributable to corresponding cited papers, and computer procedures missed four percent of the words in the actual statements.…

Presents a preliminary analysis of differences between Disclosure II and Predicasts Annual Reports Abstracts (databases which provide online company information) as available from DIALOG Information Retrieval Services. Sources of online information, duplication of information, company coverage, currency of coverage, accuracy of coverage, and…