Academic support systems are characterized as those activities that center around a dean's office--office automation/information systems, institutional research and electronic communication. The basic and design and implementation issues that are encountered in providing these support systems are examined. (Author/MLW)

Personal computers are inexpensive, portable, accessible, and adaptable for vocational education instruction, administration, and communications. Successful infusion of microcomputers into vocational education requires staff orientation, improvement in software quality, and careful planning. (SK)

Business Computer Network (BCN) employs automatic calling and logon, multiple database access, disk search capture, and search assistance interfaces to provide single access to 15 online services. Telecommunications software (SuperScout) used to reach BCN and participating online services offers storage and message options and is accompanied by…

Data from national survey of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in rural mental health services were used to conduct sociometric analysis of person-to-person communication. Structure of person-to-person communication network in terms of its connectedness, centrality, homogeneity, and differentiation is described, and strategies for…

A New York University "magnet" program supported by the Ford Foundation provides opportunities for 11 member institutions' faculty members to pursue research, curricular, and professional projects. (MSE)

Considers electronic interlinkage between two library networks in regard to functions of online shared cataloging and online interlibrary lending based on computerized union catalog. Problem areas are discussed: political climate, professional attitude, incompatibility of organizations, management and staff differences, financial stability,…

This tutorial on packet radio (communication system using radio and digital packet-switching technology) highlights radio transmission of data, brief history, special considerations in applying packet radio to library online catalogs, technology, defining protocol at physical and network levels, security, geographic coverage, and components. (A…

This comparison of online searching cost figures from several of North Suburban Library System's public libraries notes search costs for 1984, average costs for public library computer searches, cost discrepancies, barriers to integration of online searching as a reference tool, searching data, and philosophical decisions. (EJS)

Discusses information gained from a test of cable data circuits on a Geac bibliographic control system at the Wayne Oakland Library Federation (WOLF) (Michigan). Highlights include an introduction to cable, hardware profile, the WOLF experience, and key questions that will affect the future use of cable for data transmission. (EJS)

To examine the relationships between acculturation, sociodemographic characteristics, and social supports and between network characteristics and personal distress, 259 adult Mexican Americans were surveyed. More acculturated Mexican Americans reported larger support networks, more contact with network members, more reciprocal helping, and more…

Consideration of problems associated with development of national database for bibliographic control of library materials, focuses on those which "alert" individual directors, and those created by organizations and people not under immediate control. Standards, objectives, change, ownership and distribution, economic and legal issues,…

Describes a successful instructional television consortium developed by four small Illinois high schools. The system eliminated the need to transport students long distances for a quality education. (MD)

Describes development and implementation of microcomputer system for request handling, recordkeeping, and invoicing at the Centre for Scientific and Technical Information (CSTI) Document Delivery Service of the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Unforeseen advantages of the system are reviewed, including electronic…

Discusses the copyright act in general; presents a discourse on three sections of the law especially significant to computer programs (fair use, first sale, and like rights in computer programs); and discusses copying to and from hard disks and library liability with regard to the law's three specific sections. (MBR)

Discusses the new information possibilities available to educational administrators, pointing out that the most useful role of computers is to provide meaningful data to improve decision making. Outlines a three-phase approach to computerizing school districts. (MD)