A type of descriptor is suggested for application to the description and classification of information systems, and for the development of an information system typology. A list of 83 Function Descriptors developed in the exploratory description of 25 systems is provided. (Author/KP)

Ten microcomputer applications produced by one quarter-time employee of a state social services department impacted on the organization's structure and operations. Concerning information handling, the microcomputer improved efficiency, but not quality of the system. Although user developed microcomputer applications may not be ideal for…

Computer security and computer privacy issues are discussed. Among the areas addressed are technical and human security threats, security and privacy issues for information in electronic mail systems, the need for a national commission to examine these issues, and security/privacy issues relevant to colleges and universities. (JN)

Vector representations of information items and requests used as a basis for a discussion of knowledge and information spaces. (Author)

The cataloging data bases, Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) and Blackwell North America (B/NA) are compared. While OCLC provides cataloging for a larger percentage of titles, the B/NA data base is very valuable. B/NA is less expensive to use and has comparable peripheral services. (Author/AP)

An improved scientific information system is proposed involving dissemination of abstracts to indivduals by core abstract services followed by publication and distribution of individual articles. (Author/JB)

Described is a storage and retrieval system developed for a pharmaceutical firm for internal document control. There is a thesaurus and four data files. Two important features include coordinate indexing using roles and links as well as the use of Wiswesser Line Notation for storing compounds. (3 references) (Author/SJ)

The concept of information is examined within the framework of the Mathematical Theory of Communication and semiotics, the study of signs and sign systems. The implications of these theories for the better understanding of information as we deal with this concept in the context of information systems are discussed. (8 references) (Author)

Scientific elitism must be viewed as a multidimensional phenomenon. Ten variables of elitism are considered and a principal components factor analysis is used to scale this multivariate domain. Two significant dimensions of elitism were found; one in basic and one in applied science. (20 references) (Author)

Using abstract models of thesaurus-based and multi-attribute retrieval systems a correspondence between the two systems is established so that equivalent transformation of problem statements expressed by notions developed for one system into problem statements expressed by notions pretaining to the other one may be effectively constructed. (5…

Progress in the development of advanced chemical information systems in the United Kingdom is briefly described. (8 references) (Author)

The theoretical model of a document retrieval system is described by giving logical meaning to the vagueness and the similarity characteristic to such systems, with the frequency of occurrences of keywords and the relations among them taken into consideration. (6 references) (Author/SJ)

An understanding of marketing'' can provide valuable insignts into the capability of success or failure of ERIC-Like information systems. Three marketing perspectives are examined that contribute to a better understanding of the role such systems can play in satisfying user needs (Author/KE)

Some problems arising in the combination of discipline-oriented retrieval systems for the purpose of constructing a specialized retrieval system for a multidisciplinary topic are considered. A compromise solution involving an augmented combined index is suggested. (4 references) (Author/NH)

A brief history of bibliographic activities of the U.S. Geological Survey, including development of a computerized publishing system is given. Also described is the design of the bibliographic search system, application of the Generalized Information Processing System (GIPSY) to storage and retrieval of earth sciences literature, and preliminary…