The development and initial testing of two computer programs designed to assist in the process of vocational choice are described. The programs are interactive and are complementary to one another. (Author/JKS)

The trend toward use of online bibliographic systems in libraries sets the stage for the discussion of standardized entry format and authority control in information input if maximum usefulness now and in the future is to be achieved. (MBR)

Describes the local, in-house designed, automated, on-line circulation system which has been in operation at the public library in Farmers Branch, Texas, since October 1, 1975. The relatively inexpensive system is linked to the IBM System 3 Model 10 in the city data processing department. (JVP)

Although it is becoming easier to share materials via the Internet, the process is still not transparent, especially when cross-platform transfers are involved. This article reviews common protocols and discusses several utilities and strategies for exchanging information online. Includes a table listing transfer and compression protocols, common…

U.S. federal and state legislative and regulatory information is increasingly available electronically. This article provides descriptions of source providers and lists all major commercial dial-in services and Internet sources, providing alphabetical tables of 55 information categories and noting the names of each file covering a category and…

Research Development Corporation is developing a virtual schoolhouse, a repository that will provide access to resources without traditional boundary limitations, materials customized to individual student needs, and professional development forums for teachers. The program will have a virtual library of educational research findings and…

Focuses on online newsgroup gender composition and the seeming relatedness between gender roles and group process functions described as task and maintenance. Finds that men far outnumber women as participants in online discussion groups. Notes that results were mixed with respect to the relation of language patterns and group gender composition.…

Although some patent questions should be left to professionals, others can be answered using Internet-based patent databases. Provides an overview of Internet sites, including addresses, descriptions, costs, and evaluations of free and fee-based sites and guidelines for when do-it-yourself online patent searching is and is not appropriate. (PEN)

Studied the use of online case narratives of the work of principals as a component of a mentoring program for school administrators in Ontario, Canada. The analysis shows features of online narratives that contribute to the effective use of the case studies in the online seminar and show how the complexities of school leadership can be taught.…

Describes a study that investigated users' perceptions of ease of use versus user control in Web-based online information retrieval (IR) systems. Discusses desired features and functionalities as well as desired interface structures that support both ease of use and user control. (Author/LRW)

The development of safety-critical systems (aircraft cockpits and reactor control rooms) is qualitatively different from that of other interactive systems. These differences impose burdens on design teams that must ensure the development of human-machine interfaces. Analyzes strengths and weaknesses of formal methods for the design of user…

Describes the design of an online competitive learning environment that involved three basic competitive forms and 16 competitive activities to stimulate student motivation. Explains "Joyce", a system in which users can compete with either a computer agent or via the Internet. (Author/LRW)

Discusses factors that scholars, teachers, and students need to understand in order to take advantage of electronic and online availability of government information and data, including technical issues and right to access. (EV)

Random samples of 1,872 Web pages registered with Yahoo! And 1,638 pages reachable from Yahoo!-registered pages were analyzed for use of meta tags and specifically those containing descriptions. Results: 727 (38.8%) of the Yahoo!-registered pages and 442 (27%) of the other pages included descriptions in meta tages. Some descriptions greatly…

Discussion of information retrieval from online databases focuses on sorting techniques to help the user analyze the increasing number of references that may result from a search. Link analysis and Datalink software are described, and examples using keyword factorial analysis and research pole analysis are presented. (16 references) (LRW)