Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) promises to integrate voice, data, text, and video services within the context of existing telephone networks. It is a set of standards, or engineering design specifications, that will permit anyone to attach any innovative device to it as long as it abides by the network's protocols. (MLW)

The Computer Center at California State University, San Bernardino, provides centrally managed computing hardware and software to support both administrative users and academic programs. The center provides access to four computer systems which allow students a wide range of computing experiences. Instructional computing, administrative computing,…

The need for a coherent information systems development strategy that integrates both voice and data communications with computing into the campus computing environment is described. The need for a strategy, as opposed to a set of goals, in light of rapidly changing technological parameters, is discussed. (MLW)

Designing a student database to meet your school's specific recordkeeping and reporting needs is described. Setting up a data file, listing categories, and generating reports are each illustrated. (MNS)

Discussion of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) that supports operational and managerial planning of automation projects covers challenges of library automation, evolution and scope of SDLC, lack of dissemination of SDLC literature within library and information science community, and corrective measures to meet library automation demands.…

Addresses problems encountered by self-taught "talented amateurs" doing microcomputer systems work for libraries: not maintaining design control, not maintaining operational control, attempting to use someone else's database, having variety of diverse systems activity converging on common database, attempting to run whole show, and…

Surveyed attitudes toward the importance of privacy, seriousness of various privacy invasions, organizations that are trusted or mistrusted, etc. Concluded, among other findings, that most respondents were wary of possible invasions of privacy by the government but preferred government regulation of data collection by private businesses to…

Reviews the conception and services of ALANET, American Library Association's (ALA) electronic information service designed to create an electronic mail system and develop a wide-ranging information service to improve access to information resources of ALA. External databases, professional information services, communications networks, assisting…

Describes microcomputer based search system that provides access to selected portions of the ERIC database using a simplified and guided format and serves as inexpensive tool to teach concepts of online searching and information retrieval. Getting started, decision and command lines, help instructions, and availability of database disks are…

Addresses concept of automated library systems as integration of traditional bibliographic transaction processing applications and advanced office systems. Functional application distribution for this system is discussed using Computer Consoles, Inc., Office Power and Prime Computer, Inc., and Prime Office Automation System to show office…

Discusses two applications of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) in the undergraduate laboratory. They are the coulometric titration of thiosulfate with electrogenerated triiodide ion and the atomic absorption determination of calcium using both analytical calibration curve and standard addition methods. (JN)

Defines forms and the processing characteristics of working forms, and introduces the proposed prototype form definition language to specify the information requirements and to describe the nonprocedural execution in activity processing. The article also outlines the integrated forms-based information system, focusing on the interactions among the…

Artificial intelligence programing for computers is advancing rapidly. The translation of databases into an institutional research knowledge base is explored, including the heuristic knowledge of institutional research experience. (Author/MLW)

Provides an overview of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and their implementation in undergraduate analytical laboratories. Basic components of a well-constructed LIMS system, hardware considerations, and software considerations are addressed. (JN)

Three articles address the relationship between a library and the vendor of its automated system from several points of view: library-initiated vendor abandonment, vendor-initiated abandonment, nonperforming vendor and nonfunctioning system, and changing systems. Acceptance testing and financial, personnel, and legal aspects of vendor abandonment…