This paper examines two fields that contribute to research on digital libraries--information systems and orality-literary studies--and applies them to a particular digital library domain, botanical taxonomic work. Topics discussed include: (1) an introduction to HOSS (i.e., a computationally-oriented hypermedia system) architecture, including the…

This digest describes and defines the various components of an expert system, e.g., a computerized tool designed to enhance the quality and availability of knowledge required by decision makers. It is noted that expert systems differ from conventional applications software in the following areas: (1) the existence of the expert systems shell, or…

This document contains abstracts of papers on database design and management which were presented at the 1986 mid-year meeting of the American Society for Information Science (ASIS). Topics considered include: knowledge representation in a bilingual art history database; proprietary database design; relational database design; in-house databases;…

A study examined cable access centers--studios established by cable television systems for the use of community groups, institutions, and individuals--in order to identify the characteristics of those used frequently. Data were gathered from 119 respondents concerning 34 access centers in major metropolitan areas in the United States. The findings…

Developed by the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology and the Defense Intelligence Agency with input from other federal agencies, this detailed document contains the 1983 technical forecast for the information processing industry through 1997. Part I forecasts the underlying technologies of hardware and software, discusses changes in the…

Describes INFOTHEK, an information system which uses computerised semantic networks, problem analysers, and guidance programs to enable the student to move quickly into a new field. The proposed systems installed on a computer are complementary to highly structured information modules presented on paper, film, videotape, etc. The author discusses…

Outlines expected changes in information-handling technology and related activities. (PF)

Reveals that news from underdeveloped Third World nations is often structured to reflect the values of the strong political and financial nations. (CP)

One agency introduced a computerized information-gathering system to answer such questions as: How many families, over what period of time, receive services? What are the costs for each part of the program? How is staff time distributed? The author describes benefits and difficulties that the changes brought about. (Author)

A review of the concept of educational technology and the implications of educational technology for school library programs. (Author)

The vocational educational module of the Rhode Island Educational Management Information System is a data base that is an ongoing system that has been designed both to grow and to be modified to meet the needs of local and State administrators in the management of vocational education within Rhode Island. (Author)

Introduction: Activity theory, developed in the USSR as a Marxist alternative to Western psychology, has been applied widely in educational studies and increasingly in human-computer interaction research. Argument: The key elements of activity theory, Motivation, Goal, Activity, Tools, Object, Outcome, Rules, Community and Division of labour are…

The report documents activities concerned with the planning and design of a National Information Center on Deafness at Gallaudet College. Development activites included: (1) establishment of an Information Center Advisory Committee; (2) a survey of agencies, institutions, organizations, and programs serving deaf people to assess their information…

This paper discusses problems with information systems and services, particularly those relating to information on science and technology, in third world countries: (1) problems in collection development; (2) financial problems, including legal and political constraints; (3) a low degree of scientific literacy; (4) communication barriers; (5) lack…