Examines optical data disk online databases as an alternative to dial access online databases and concludes that optical data disk systems are overpriced, undersized, technologically dull, and often deceptively packaged. Eight responses to the article by selected readers are provided. (CLB)

Discusses the organization of information in academic libraries and suggests that librarians' organizational experience could be helpful to other academic information systems. Technological advancements in libraries are explained, standardization is considered, and the need to manage information efficiently among all campus departments is…

Advocates using an end-user approach to microcomputers in production/operations management. This approach requires the student to design and create spreadsheet models to solve problems, enhancing subject area knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving and computer skills. (SK)

Describes a Texas school district's attempt to determine highly effective and valid data for management decision-making and to increase managers' access to this data. Common sense and planning expertise helped immeasurably. (MLH)

Suggests an approach that organizations can take to provide centralized support services for quality assurance in end-user information systems, based on the experiences of a support group at Citicorp Mortgage, Inc. The functions of the support group include user education, software selection, and assistance in testing, implementation, and support…

ConnectPac, a software package developed at Iona College to allow a computer user to access all services from a single personal computer, is described. ConnectPac uses mainframe computing to support a campus computing network, integrating personal and centralized computing into a menu-driven user environment. (Author/MLW)

Suggests ways in which states that are administering a Title IV-E independent-living program may generate program and evaluation data to meet requirements of a federal program report. Presents two examples of current evaluations of independent-living programs. (RJC)

Suggests that there is danger in focusing too much on developing new features for relatively stable Internet hardware and software platforms, and not enough attention to creating new value for networked information users. Criteria for networked information systems functions and performance factors must be developed, and it is necessary to plan and…

Multimedia can grab the attention of prospective students in an engaging, appealing way, while giving admission officers the opportunity to deliver information about every facet of campus life. Describes multimedia, its potential, and the production process as well as five current distribution methods. Discusses appropriateness of multimedia for…

Offers a framework for explicitly defining the types of information that clinicians use and the various states of information need on which different studies have focused. Highlights include methodological issues in information needs research, clinical questions, and evaluating information systems and the impact on information needs. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the use of hypermedia in electronic information systems that support maintenance operations in large-scale industrial plants. Findings show that after establishing an information system, the same resource base can be used to train personnel how to use the computer system and how to perform operational and maintenance tasks. (Author/JMV)

Gives an overview of the decision-making process, presents a management support system (MSS) for supporting decision making, and assesses the influence of the MSS on the process and outcomes of health-care decision making. Findings indicate that an MSS improves both the outcomes from, and process of, hospital decision making. (Author/JMV)

Reviews past research on user-satisfaction and relevance information systems. Describes an experiment that compares user-satisfaction with retrieved items and the retrieval process with the relevance of the items in resolving user information needs. Results indicate a connection exists between relevance and user-satisfaction with the retrieved…

Text similarity measurements are used to determine relationships between natural-language texts and text excerpts. The resulting linked hypertext maps can be broken down into text segments and themes used to identify different text types and structures, leading to improved information access and utilization. Examples are provided for text…

Reviews past extension reporting systems--Extension Management Information System, Narrative Accomplishments Reporting System, and Program Planning and Reporting System--and the mandates of the new Government Performance and Results Act. Highlights potential conflicts among the information needs and quality indicators of local, state, and federal…