The key issue for management of campuswide information systems in higher education is content management: selecting what to include, organizing it, labeling items meaningfully, keeping content up-to-date, and presenting information in a useful way. Information technologists, librarians, and information providers on campus can all contribute to…

Business faculty who do not teach management information systems (MIS) responding to a survey (n=85) thought that one MIS course was insufficient to provide master's of business administration graduates with information technology knowledge and skills. Improved content for beginning and intermediate courses was suggested. (SK)

Looks at developments in information delivery (including new interactive media formats, vastly increased channel capacity for standard cable television, and the development of wireless cable and other distribution technologies) that are revolutionizing the communications industry. Raises questions about the role technical communicators are being…

This lecture by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada addresses issues related to information technology and privacy, including privacy law, government role, surveillance techniques, and security measures to protect the privacy of electronic communications. The text of the question and answer period following the lecture is included. (MES)

The main barriers for Latin America's participation in the digital culture are: the few people with access to technology; the technological infrastructure; lack of relevant contents in primary languages; and English as the predominant language of the global information infrastructure. Nations should focus on infrastructure, contents, and access.…

In response to concerns about the cost of keeping up with individual desktop computing technology, several new solutions have emerged. Referred to as "thin clients," or network-centric computers, they include two types of desktop device: the network computer and the Windows terminal. Purchase cost, life span, support costs, and overall total cost…

Discussion of a recent Australian report on technology in higher education, entitled "Learning for Life" and known as the West Report, finds unconvincing its claims about the imminent threat of "virtual universities" and the educational possibilities opening up through new communication and information technologies. An…

Investigates the manipulation of large sets of two-dimensional data representing multiple overlapping features, and presents a new access method, the MOF-tree. Analyzes storage requirements and time with respect to window query operations involving multiple features. Examines both the pointer-based and pointerless MOF-tree representations.…

Discusses the APPA's research efforts to help its members assume a more effective leadership role in higher education. Presents a sampling of topics developed by the APPA research group for evaluation, and discusses solutions in this effort. (GR)

Reviews the "Access America" report which was published in 1997 as a follow up to the National Performance Review, an assessment of federal government operations and procedures. Discusses future goals of the use of electronic services and information technology to improve government operations, systems integration, cost reduction,…

Focuses on the Big6 perspective of synthesis--organizing information from multiple sources and presenting the result. Highlights several ways to organize information and gives examples of exercises that use these two aspects of synthesis. Discusses the role of technology in synthesis and the integration of teaching software for synthesis. (AEF)

Describes a project of the Coalition for Networked Information, founded in 1990 to advance scholarship interest in the networked-computer environment. The project coordinated work of seven higher education institutions in conducting assessments of their campus networks. Topics discussed include the networking climate on campuses, why assessment is…

Describes the first approved Internet postage product, which would allow users to print postage from their PCs. Discusses beta testing of the "E-Stamp" software; software companies investing in the technology; competitive programs; the small-business market; strategic alliances with envelopes, labels, and scales manufacturers; and future…

Discusses geographic naming with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. Highlights include the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) online database; United States Geological Survey (USGS) national mapping information; the USGS-Microsoft connection; and panoramic maps and the small LizardTech company. (AEF)

Information-technology planning at higher-education institutions should be derived from academic planning at the institutional, school, and department levels, and must respond to associated issues of leadership, sustainable funding, productivity, and faculty motivation. The academic information-technology-planning process at the University of…