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…

Presents the main ingredients for successful computer-systems administration. Discusses training and ongoing support, change management for system upgrades, developing a problem-reporting form and keeping the documentation history, managing technical support, and having a disaster-recovery plan. (AEF)

Addresses how libraries can prepare for Y2K problems. Discusses technology that might be affected and equipment that should be examined, difficulty of fixing noncompliant hardware and software, identifying problem areas and developing solutions, and dealing with vendors. Includes a checklist of necessary preparations. (AEF)

Highlights of this article include revisiting competency expectations for IT practitioners; revisiting technology-selection criteria; using ROI to support interactive technology selection decisions; technology-oriented inputs to ROI determinations; and business cases of ROI in action. (AEF)

Describes a system that automatically classifies e-mail messages in the HUMANIST electronic discussion group into one of four classes: question, response, announcement, or administrative. The system's ability to accurately classify a message was compared against manually assigned codes. Results suggested that there was a statistical agreement in…

Defines the Year 2000 Problem, and discusses when and where it occurs, its scale and its solutions. Examines awareness, attitudes and responses toward the problem in general, and then more specifically among information professionals. (Author/AEF)

A systematic approach to school redistricting that was developed over the past half-dozen years utilizes a computer. Crucial to achieving successful results are accuracy of data, enrollment forecasting, and citizen participation. Outlines the major steps of a typical redistricting study. One figure illustrates the redistricting process. (MLF)

Four years after the Halifax Regional School Board was formed through amalgamation, over 75% of its school libraries were automated. On-site automation with laptops was a quicker, more efficient way of automating than sending a shelf list to the Technical Services Department. The Eastern Shore School Library Automation Project was a successful…

Examines the effectiveness of computer assisted career guidance system (CACGS) in reducing the career decision making difficulties of young adults in Israel. Difficulties were found to be highest for individuals who were prior to the pre-screening stage of the career decision making process and lowest for those who were at the choice stage.…

A survey instrument developed to measure the perceived performance of the six components of an electronic performance support system (EPSS) and the perceived benefits of EPSS use was mailed to 182 target EPSS co-ordinators. A total of 98 (54.0%) questionnaires were returned. Of these, there were 79 (80.6%) usable surveys. Research results indicate…

Seventy-seven children between the ages of 6 and 10 years, with severe mixed receptive-expressive specific language impairment (SLI), participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Fast ForWord (FFW; Scientific Learning Corporation, 1997, 2001). FFW is a computer-based intervention for treating SLI using acoustically enhanced speech…

The Association Supporting Computer Users in Education (ASCUE) is a group of people interested in small college computing issues. It is a blend of people from all over the country who use computers in their teaching, academic support, and administrative support functions. ASCUE has a strong tradition of bringing its members together to pool their…

Operating systems theory primarily concentrates on the optimal use of computing resources. This paper presents an alternative approach to teaching and studying operating systems design and concepts by way of parametrically optimizing critical operating system functions. Detailed examples of two critical operating systems functions using the…

Incorporating industry training into university courses is not in itself a radically new concept. Many examples in a variety of professions have demonstrated the value of industry input into university curricula. The information technology (IT) profession is different from many others in that it has high volatility and a short shelf-life of…

In the past decade, theories of the social construction of knowledge have resulted in the widespread use of collaborative learning techniques. Computer technology has been in the forefront of this movement, with one result being a minor revolution in writing instruction. Specifically, communications and text sharing through both local and wide…