Integrates structured data and text using the unchanged, standard relational model. The performance of a parallel relational database system and the effect of query reduction on accuracy were tested, and it was found that queries can be reduced prior to their implementation without incurring significant loss in precision/recall. (AEF)

Discusses interface agents and online help systems, focusing on Microsoft's animated office assistants. Highlights include intermediaries such as librarians in off-line reference problems; user complaints about online help systems; navigation problems; evaluation of the online office assistants; and categories of user queries to online help…

Districts are increasingly building complex computer systems to meet changing requirements for technology-rich education. Technology committees can help build consensus, identify key issues, support funding requests, educate the community, and shape the collective imagination. Planners should also consider system standardization, software/hardware…

Lays down theoretical groundwork for information retrieval (IR) that involves the combined efforts of several users, and argues that the fundamental intellectual problems of IR are the production and consumption of knowledge. Highlights include collaboration in IR, examples of collaborative information systems and services, and future research…

Presents abstracts of papers for a planned session dealing with the historiography and history of information science. Highlights include probability distributions underlying the use of library materials, particularly scientific journals; the temporal and historical orientation of the rhetoric of information science; and concepts of information…

This planned session discusses access to digital multimedia objects; integrated intellectual access, resource discovery, finding aids, and cross-domain metadata among museum, archive, and library information systems; information sharing; electronic access to a historic costume collection; access to digital music libraries; and digital…

Outlines the theory behind the formation of language conventions, then reveals conventions evolving in the community of people writing hypertext on the Web. Demonstrates how these conventions can be used to augment and shift the meaning of already published hypertexts. Describes the system called InCommonSense, which reuses particular hypertext…

The extent of school information systems (SIS) use, factors promoting successful SIS implementation, and the effects of SIS use were studied in Dutch secondary schools. Findings indicated that SIS use is not of the same intensity for all SIS modules and is not equally distributed across all types of respondents. (AEF)

Classifications/ontologies, thesauri, and dictionaries serve many functions, which are summarized in this article. As a result of this multiplicity of functions, classifications--often called ontologies--are developed in many communities of research and practice. Unfortunately, there is little communication and mutual learning; thus, efforts are…

Defines digital library collections and outlines two classes of collection metadata. Describes the Alexandria Digital Library (ADL) Project approach to collection metadata, including the ADL system architecture and collection guidelines and the format and use of the ADL collection metadata. Appendices include ADL collection metadata and example.…

Investigated the link between social networks and the ability to find a job through a personal contact among adult inner-city residents using data for 2,490 inner-city adults. Ethnic differences were found in the rate of finding jobs by word of mouth and in the way social networks connect job seekers. (SLD)

Discusses the steps involved in designing and starting a corporate university, which is defined as a process promoting continuous learning and performance improvement. Topics include establishing a mission; creating a business plan; products and services; functions and processes; staffing needs; information systems; and resource allocation. (LRW)

Examines an emerging shared metaphor, the business pattern, in the context of the encapsulation of wisdom. Discusses the logical evolution into "business patterns" and offers a more fully-realized template to illustrate the intent and to provide a framework for future development. Provides a prototypical example of a documented business pattern…

Suggests that known sources of name variation and error in information systems must be addressed through improved retrieval techniques. Argues that a culture of data stewardship in which fewer errors are introduced in the handling of personal names can be achieved through greater awareness of problems specific to handling of names, and the design…

Reports on an Open University evaluation study of the Informedia Digital Video Library System developed at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Findings indicate that there is definite potential for using the system, provided that certain modifications can be made. Results also confirm findings of the Informedia team at CMU that the content of video…