bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collaboration in the creation of national bibliographic resources
Authors: Luísa Cabral Maria
Published: February 2008

Based on the author's experience as coordinator of Portugal's National Library Automation project, the paper examines some aspects of the collaboration required to create a national electronic bibliographic resource, from limited means.
Rebels in search of champions: envisioning the library of the future
Authors: Moulik Amal , Lai Dennis
Published: February 2008

The traditional role of librarians, securing and providing access to the archives of recorded knowledge, is being rapidly challenged on three fronts: the increasing technical sophistication of library users, the wide availability of information management software, and economic pressures on the growth of library collections. While we may argue endlessly about ‘turf’ and ‘ownership’ the real challenge is to forge a new ethic oflibrarianship which defies the stereotype of the passive provider of information services, explores new models of partnership with users and champions an interactive environment in which to create the library of the future. The Main Library at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is actively engaged in testing experimental models of the library of the future centred on dynamic user‐librarian interactions, versatile information technologies and on fostering creative partnerships with library users in different environments. These experiments are described and evaluated, and their implications for future development are explored.
Automated library system migration in the United States
Authors: Pourciau Lester J.
Published: February 2008

The application of computer technology to routine procedures in libraries has been evolving for more than twenty years. As technology has made new applications possible and as library and vendor expertise has developed, some libraries today are working with a second or even a third system vendor. This paper reports on a survey of libraries in the United States which have changed vendors and it identifies commonality and variation in factors associated with automation system change by these libraries.
InfoMapper: information resource inventory tool
Authors: Lundeen Gerald
Published: February 2008

InfoMapper provides a framework, complete with forms and reports, for gathering and organizing an inventory of an organization's information resources. InfoMapper Release 1.2 is for use with IBM/PCs, ATs, and compatible computers with at least 640 kb of memory (1 or 2 Mb preferred) and a hard disk with at least 3 Mb available. The package sells for $595. The vendor is Information Management Press, PO Box 19166, Washington DC 20036, USA. Tel: +1 (202) 293 5519.
A day in the life of an electronic cottager
Authors: Basch Reva
Published: February 2008

Until last summer, when I moved the photocopier to a separate table, I was working not just from a home office but from a desktop office. From left to right, on a six‐foot golden oak desk (a 1950s high‐school‐principal model that I got a decade ago, free for the hauling) sit a fax machine, a 386 IBM‐clone PC, a CD‐ROM drive and a laser printer. That array still leaves room for some files (and piles), a Rolodex, and a tarnished silver julep cup that I use as a pencil holder.
Memex meets Madonna: multimedia at the intersection of information and entertainment
Authors: Kinney Thomas
Published: February 2008

On‐going technological advances may soon allow the development of an affordable, personal, easy‐to‐use, all‐purpose information storage and retrieval technology similar to the Memex system described by Vannevar Bush. This paper proposes an updated design for Memex (‘Memex‐TV’) based on high‐capacity data networks, multimedia and new user interface technologies. It is argued that technology such as Memex‐TV may well develop as a spin‐off from advances in entertainment technology. Section 6, ‘An evening with Memex‐TV’, illustrates the possible future interweaving of information retrieval and entertainment. Finally, it is argued that librarians need to consider entertainment technology's potential to influence the future of libraries more seriously.
Information 2000: a Dutch view
Authors: van Trier G.M.
Published: February 2008

At the end of 1990 The Netherlands Council for Libraries and Information Services (RABIN) decided to carry out a forecasting exercise covering the information services sector as a whole. Several important issues for the study were derived from the Information UK 2000 study; however, the design of the RABIN exercise is different. Firstly, RABIN commissioned a research organisation in Tilburg (IVA) to carry out a Delphi study. A questionnaire was sent to nearly 200 information experts in the field of medicine, law and the general public. The answers of 94 experts were analysed for the next stage of the research: the outcome of the questionnaire was discussed by three groups of experts selected from the people who completed the questionnaire. The results of this exercise are published in a separate report.
Ko‐Pilot: menu operation for WordPerfect
Authors: Mastrolia Lilyan
Published: February 2008

Ko‐Pilot is an add‐on package for use with the WordPerfect wordprocessor, which allows users to access WordPerfect features through clear and simple menus. It runs on PC‐compatible computers and sells for $89.95 from Insight Resources Inc., 175 Prospect Avenue, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA. Tel: +1 (914)332 1589.
First meeting of CDS/ISIS distributors in Europe and the Mediterranean area Viareggio, Italy
Authors: Nowicki Zbigniew M.
Published: February 2008

In distributing its CDS/ISIS package, UNESCO cooperates with various organisations all over the world which act as CDS/ISIS distributors. These organisations fall into three categories:
Software for information storage and retrieval tested, evaluated and compared Part IV — Indexing and full‐text retrieval programs
Authors: Sieverts E.G. , Hofstede M. , Oude Groeniger B.
Published: February 2008

In this article, the fourth in a series on microcomputer software for information storage and retrieval, test results of six indexing and full‐text retrieval programs are presented and various properties and qualities of these programs are discussed. The common feature of programs in these categories is that they are primarily meant to retrieve words (or combinations of them) in large text files. To do this they either simply index existing text files in one or more formats (indexing programs), or they store and index them in their own database format (full‐text retrieval programs). The programs reviewed in this issue are the indexing programs Ask‐It, Texplore and ZYindex and the full‐text retrieval programs KAware, TextMaster and WordCruncher. All programs run under MS‐DOS. In addition ZYindex has a Windows and a Unix version and TextMaster is also available for Unix. For each of the six programs almost 100 facts and test results are tabulated. The programs are also discussed individually.
Working with display screen equipment — do you know your rights?
Authors: Morris Anne
Published: February 2008

The European Community Directive 90/270/EEC, issued in 1990, concerns the minimum health and safety standards of display screen users. The Directive becomes law in the UK and the rest of Europe on 1 January 1993 and instructs national administrations to bring the laws and regulations necessary to make it effective into force. In the UK this responsibility falls to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This paper describes possible risks to workers using display screen equipment, standards relating to visual display terminals, the provisions of the Directive, how these have been interpreted by the HSE in its draft legislation and the implications of this legislation for libraries.
CD‐ROM and the academic reference librarian: a review of the literature
Authors: Thornburg Barbara J.
Published: February 2008

CD‐ROM has changed the life and the work day of the reference librarian in many ways, and with tremendous consequences.
CD‐ROM as a library equivalent
Authors: Reid Harold T.
Published: February 2008

CD‐ROM technology has reached the point where just a few discs can equal the holdings of a small print library. Reference works used by libraries in hard copy are available on CD‐ROM; encyclopedias, news and periodicals are also in full text on disc. If the appropriate reference is found on disc, searchers need go no further than the CD‐ROM being examined. This article gives a brief overview of a number of CD‐ROMs which the author has bought to create his own personal library.
The CD‐ROM market in Catalonia
Authors: d'Alòs‐Moner Adela
Published: February 2008

The CD‐ROM market has enjoyed strong growth in recent years in Spain, similar to the experience in other countries. This article, which gathers together existing data from other studies, gives an overview of the current situation of the CD‐ROM market in Catalonia specifically and in Spain as a whole. Where possible, parallels are drawn with trends of CD‐ROM usage in other European countries. Points covered include the general characteristics of the market, trends in usage, titles published in Spain and comparisons with online information retrieval.
The Electronic Library Manager's guide to information technology diffusion
Authors: Raitt David
Published: February 2008

In the previous issue of The Electronic Library (vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 191–193) an editorial introduction to the diffusion and transfer of technology was given. Continuing this theme, in this editorial some points and examples relating more to the diffusion of information technology (telecommunication, television and personal computers) are provided.
Remote access: its impact on a college library
Authors: Heller Paul
Published: February 2008

With the phantasm of the Virtual Library looming large on the bibliographic horizon, librarians have looked to their future with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. The prospect of a new generation of patrons availing themselves of an electronic archive, never browsing the stacks or borrowing a book, gives pause to this public‐service oriented profession. What will happen to support for collections and reference when patron behavior changes and there is a perception that scholars no longer need to enter the library physically to satisfy their information needs? Will that, in fact, happen? The recent experience of libraries with regard to remote access to databases is an indicator of the future behavior of their clientèle. At Norwich University, delivering services beyond the physical confines of the library has had the result of increased performance in every category by which the library measures its success. Marked growth in these statistical yardsticks comes at a time when the student population has significantly decreased, further underscoring the importance of greater access to the delivery of service.
Q&A 3.0: full featured flat file database
Authors: Namotka Jordan Rosemarie
Published: February 2008

Q&A 3.0 is an easy‐to‐use flat file database that has many niceties built into it. It comes with a wordprocessor, report facility, and English language intelligent assistant tool, which enhance the usefulness, flexibility and uniqueness of the package. Q&A 3.0 runs on IBM PC/XT/AT, PS/2 or compatibles and sells for $349.00. The required operating system is PC/MS‐DOS 2.0 or higher (DOS 3.3 required for PS/2 models). 512K RAM is needed (640K for DOS 4.0 or network use). Over 100 printers are supported, including lasers. Protected mode and multitasking capabilities are available with the OS/2 version. OS/2 requirements includ 286 or 386 microprocessor, OS/2 version 1.0 or higher, 2 Mb of extended memory. The vendor is Symantec Corp., 10201 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA. Tel: +1 (408)252 5700.
A management perspective on information service value
Authors: Broadbent Marianne
Published: February 2008

These are quotes from information service managers taken from my recent research and consulting work, including extensive reviews of information and library service agencies. They typify the frustrations that information specialists have in demonstrating their value in the way often required by senior management. Traditional evaluation approaches developed by librarians and information scientists emphasise techniques which provide necessary indicators of output and operational efficiency. These need to be complemented by techniques which seek to identify the benefits of those information services to the organisation in terms which have meaning to both senior management and users.
An online library catalogue
Authors: Alloro Giovanna , Ugolini Donatella
Published: February 2008

This paper starts with a description of a project to introduce automation in the libraries of the National Institute for Cancer Research and the Clinical and Experimental Oncology Institute of the University of Genoa. It then describes the information retrieval software chosen to manage various library functions, in particular the book catalogue. Use of this system led to new working methods for library staff and for the users. The users' interest in the new system has been evaluated by attendance of specific training courses and by the number of accesses to the online catalogue. Preliminary results show that this interest exists, and that adequate information can improve the library user's approach to the automated catalogue and make it a part of the user's routine work.
Software for information storage and retrieval tested, evaluated and compared Part V — Personal information managers, Hypertext and Relevance ranking programs
Authors: Sieverts E.G. , Hofstede M. , Lobbestael G. , Oude Groeniger B. , Provost F. , Šikovà P.
Published: February 2008

In this article, the fifth in a series on microcomputer software for information storage and retrieval, test results of seven programs are presented and various properties and qualities of these programs are discussed. In this instalment of the series we discuss programs for information storage and retrieval which are primarily characterised by the properties of personal information managers (PIMs), hypertext programs, or best match and ranking retrieval systems. The programs reviewed in this issue are the personal information managers 3by5/RediReference, askSam, Dayflo Tracker, and Ize; Personal Librarian uses best match and ranking; the hypertext programs are Folio Views and the HyperKRS/HyperCard combination (askSam, Ize and Personal Librarian boast hypertext features as well). HyperKRS/HyperCard is only available for the Apple Macintosh. All other programs run under MS‐DOS; versions of Personal Librarian also run under Windows and some other systems. For each of the seven programs about 100 facts and test results are tabulated. The programs are also discussed individually.
Establishing an in‐house documentation system and the role of the library as exemplified by the GSF Research Centre
Authors: Reich Martina
Published: February 2008

The possibilities for creating an in‐house documentation system within a special library are described. The responsibilities assumed by a library at a large institution such as at the GSF Research Centre are also discussed. These days a library must make use of the wide range of modern information technology tools if it is to provide an optimal service for its users. Not only is it necessary to use automated systems for the library administration, but ideally information technology tools should be provided to the user to enable optimal handling of personal bibliographic data. This is even more essential for a special library. For this purpose, the GSF is acquiring database software which is available to scientific personnel for creating individual literature databases, as well as for serving librarians. The library supports its users with initial consultations, software training sessions and regular meetings. Additionally, the library offers assistance with the transfer of external electronic data (for example the results of online searches), with the selection of output formats, and a hot‐line. Thus, the library plays a central role regarding all issues of literature work using electronic data processing. The databases in the library, as well as databases from scientists at the GSF, which contain literature pertinent to the environment, are combined in one documentation system representing the comprehensive knowledge and resources within the GSF.
Teaching foreign literature through multimedia
Authors: Bhushan Sharma Chandra
Published: February 2008

This paper argues that simpler techniques explaining visual symbols (the referents) such as illustrations, annotation of texts with commentaries, explanations, word meanings, maps and pictures are not sufficient for conveying the message in culturally displaced (i.e. foreign language) texts. The definition of technology in relation to the teaching of literature would go beyond the machine‐tool definition and into the hermeneutic sciences, which say that the message of the literary text lies above the lexical and syntactic levels in the creative unconscious of the gifted individuals. The transfer of the message has not been successfully achieved even with the combination of different media. Literary texts create an overall impression with the help of pieces of information, and hypertext seems to promise a medium for providing explanations which would help convey the ‘essence’ of the texts.
Internet cruising with the Internet Hunt
Authors: Gates Rick
Published: February 2008

Heard of some interesting new resource on the Internet? Wondering how to get access? Feeling like the Internet is a confusing collection of tools and data? Archie, telnet, gopher, WAIS, Usenet, FTP, world‐wide‐web, Freenet, finger …
Value‐added information services for small and medium sized enterprises
Authors: Pieskä Kari
Published: February 2008

The need for external information is steadily increasing in all kinds of organisations. Large companies have established special information service departments to handle the information searches. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have to turn to commercial information services. However, they are only using information services occasionally because it is often difficult for them to realise the value of the information offered. The raw data available from online databases, for example, needs further processing to become valuable for small industrial companies. Keeping this in mind, the Information Service of the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) has been developing value‐added services tailored especially for industrial SMEs. The main principle in the new service is solving industrial problems by further processing the comprehensive information gathered from various sources. The services are presented as information packages, e.g. Competitor Survey or Product Evaluation. The new services have been directly marketed to segmented clientele and the experiences so far have been promising.
Is there a chance for a standardised user interface?
Authors: Fletcher Liz
Published: February 2008

The object of this paper is to discuss an issue that has been gradually gaining momentum in the world of CD‐ROM over the last couple of years — that of the chances of implementing a standard user interface for CD‐ROM applications. Firstly, we will look at whether or not there really is a need for a standard user interface, from the points of view of the users, the disc publishers and the software vendors. Subsequently, we will investigate the pros and cons of two possible solutions to the user interface dilemma. One of these involves the implementation of currently‐available de facto standards, and the other is a software concept. For this second possible solution, we will also look at how far developments have come and at the groups in the CD‐ROM industry which are currently working on the issue.
Setting out
Authors: Gates Rick
Published: February 2008

When I was an undergraduate studying computer science in the early '80s I would often find myself at the public terminals in the campus computing center. At about 3am the green phosphor in those terminals would get awfully blurry, as would my programming.
Thinx: text and graphics working together
Authors: Mac Cooper T.
Published: February 2008

Thinx is an innovative graphics‐oriented database package, running on IBM PCs and compatible computers. The package sells for $495. The vendor is Bell Atlantic Corporation, 9 South High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
Geac: growing by leaps and bounds
Authors: Cheung Harrison
Published: February 2008

On 4 December 1992, history was made as two pioneers in the library automation industry became one. Geac Computer Corporation Limited (based in Markham, Ontario, Canada) acquired CLSI, Inc. (located in Newtonville, Massachusetts, USA). Combined, the two companies serve a user base of over 55 million library patrons worldwide with revenues of over Cdn $100 million.
HIFI: hypertext interface for information: multimedia and relational databases
Authors: Cavallaro Umberto , Paolini Paolo , Christodoulakis Stavros , Dallas Costis , Enotiadis Andreas , Proia Saverio , Schiff Jack , Schuler Wolfgang
Published: February 2008

HIFI (ESPRIT Project 6532) creates a set of tools to allow a reader to access a large body of heterogeneous information, managed by external databases created beforehand, through a hypertext interface. Information currently found in information systems is based on different media and is usually managed by different tools, like relational databases and a variety of multimedia database systems. Sometimes the need arises to ‘browse’ through the information using an interactive and intuitive interface. Hypertext is probably the best current means for interactive (and possibly intuitive) navigation through a heterogeneous body of information. Available hypertext tools, however, are usually seen as being for managing their own information rather than being an interface for accessing external databases. The HIFI approach is based on a model‐based description of the hypertext application, as it appears to the reader. A declarative and/or operational mapping translates hypertext operations (search, queries and navigation) into operations on the underlying information base and also ‘materialises’ hypertext objects, using objects of the underlying databases. The system also implements methodologies to support the hypertext interface development process. Real‐life applications will be developed to show the validity of the approach, with the cooperation of important end‐users who will cooperate with the project directly, either as partners or sponsors.
Remote telephone use in reference services
Authors: Natale Joseph A. , Galloway James W.
Published: February 2008

Because of an increasing number of demands on reference librarians' time, knowledge and skills, the use of relatively new types of cordless and cellular telephone systems may allow reference services to become more accessible, effective and productive.
Large screen monitors for better viewing
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

Although the computer world currently seems to favor color displays with screen images only about nine inches wide, such displays are not suitable for many library applications. Computer users who need to view periodicals, photographs or video materials require more detail on the screen than ordinary small color monitors can provide.
Hard disk drive multimedia
Authors: Reid Harold T.
Published: February 2008

A multimedia effect can be provided by programs which use the hard disk drives of PCs. Knowledge Adventure and Science Adventure are two programs providing a multimedia experience without the use of CDROM. Knowledge Adventure provides information on general subjects while Science Adventure concentrates on science material with text taken from a book by Isaac Asimov. Information is accessed by placing the cursor on sections of the screen and clicking. Hyper jumps then occur, providing the user with different screens. The software offers graphics, text and sound, thus making them multimedia in nature. Asimov's Chronology of Science and Discovery is used as text but not in its entirety. Although not containing nearly as much information as a CDROM, the software provides an agreeable multimedia experience and could be used successfully as a reference source.
How do you manage in the 21st century?
Authors: Ojala Marydee
Published: February 2008

I saw a job ad the other day for a university librarian. The university was seeking ‘an innovative, service‐oriented librarian to assist with planning and developing service, information, and staffing infrastructures for the library in preparation for the 21st century.’ Now, here's a library that thinks ahead…except for the fact that the 21st century is only eight years away. So maybe they're not thinking all that far ahead. Maybe, just maybe, all information jobs should be filled ‘in preparation for the 21st century.’
ftp revisited
Authors: Gates Rick
Published: February 2008

In my first column I gave some anonymous ftp tips on how to read and use index and ‘readme’ files without having to leave your ftp session. This helps you to find the file when you're browsing an ftp site.
The future of online information: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Summit Roger K.
Published: February 2008

Information retrieval as a concept or a technique is not generally recognized beyond the profession as a societal need or even necessarily as a useful tool. It has often been said of online that it is an expensive way of doing much faster what you could otherwise do manually in a library. I have long been perplexed by this misunderstanding of the power of online. Let me offer one possible explanation.
Ensuring online information usability
Authors: Chance Toby
Published: February 2008

The debate around developing online information systems has tended to focus on the technology options. These include hypertext, image processing, document management, storage, communications and expert systems. Little attention has been paid, however, to the content of the information to be put online. Without content that is user‐oriented, in terms of its organisation and presentation, an online information system is worthless. People will only be lured away from paper if the online system is more usable. Various methods have been devised for improving usability of online information. This paper will concentrate on one in particular, known as Information Mapping. Information Mapping is a research‐based method for analysing, organising and visually presenting information. Developed over 30 years by Dr Robert Horn while at Columbia and Harvard Universities and later in commercial applications, the method helps ensure that all the expenditure normally associated with online systems is maximised for user productivity. The paper will illustrate the method by comparing mapped with unmapped information, supported by empirical research findings in a variety of case studies.
Remote users of an online public access catalogue (OPAC): problems and support
Authors: de Kock Marthie
Published: February 2008

Networks allow different users from outside the library remote access to library catalogues. These remote users may face problems that differ from the OPAC users' in the library. They may not be comfortable with the computer technology and may not be familiar with the OPAC of the library. Libraries should offer different support services than they would provide to on‐site users. Libraries should be responsive to the needs of remote users. These users need technical advice as well as special instruction aids and guides to lead them to the information they want to retrieve.
InfoAccess — platform for the distribution of Southern African information
Authors: McGillivray R.
Published: February 2008

Local information distribution in electronic form in South Africa is a new and growing industry. Research shows that in any country the needs of users of information are largely for local information and to a lesser extent for overseas or external information. CSIR InfoAccess offers not only a local electronic information service to information seekers, but is also available to database owners wishing to distribute their own information into the market‐place. The link to the Worldnet Gateway is critical in this respect since it not only promotes the distribution process but also makes the service available to the non‐expert searcher.
Local area network expansion at WITS
Authors: Wilcocks Julie
Published: February 2008

With the rapid development of computer technology, new and sophisticated facilities become available every few months. The skill of planning expansion or development lies in choosing the innovations that can be far reaching and support future new technology. Akeroyd (1991), Van Brakel (1991, 1993) and many others have reviewed CDROM networking technology. The expansion presented in this paper describes conversion to a 10baseT network incorporating both mainframe terminals and PCs on the LAN (local area network). It will be seen that the chosen route is cost‐effective and advantageous to academic staff and students. It is also a lot more convenient as far as library staff are concerned.
EMBASE in the nineties: new methods of database production and exploitation
Authors: Herholdt Annette
Published: February 2008

Developing and maintaining a competitive edge in the information business today will periodically require the timely and smooth transition from older to state‐of‐the‐art technology. Central to the production of a commercially‐available database in the biomedical field is the speed with which it can be created and updated, particularly for access on the major hosts. It is therefore imperative that new production processes contribute positively to timely updating, and that the cost of implementing them is offset by new opportunities for enhancements and additional commercial exploitation of the database. The paper describes new production methods for the EMBASE database and the related issues associated with the implementation of these changes, in particular the way in which they affect data entry, indexing methods, quality and nature of indexing, and the currency of the database. New production methods have brought about the possibility of new products, such as a document delivery service, and these will also be discussed.
Hypermedia, multimedia and hypertext: definitions and overview
Authors: Bornman Hester , von Solms S.H.
Published: February 2008

In this paper I will discuss definitions of hypermedia, multimedia and hypertext. Hypertext is the grouping of relevant information in the form of nodes. These nodes are then connected together through links. In the case of hypertext the nodes contain text or graphics. Multimedia is the combining of different media types for example sound, animation, text, graphics and video for the presentation of information by making use of computers. Hypermedia can be viewed as an extension of hypertext and multimedia. It is based on the concept of hypertext that uses nodes and links in the structuring of information in the system. In this case the nodes consist of all the different data types that are mentioned in the multimedia definition above. The ‘node‐and‐link’ concept is used in organisation of the information in hypermedia systems. The ‘book’ metaphor is an example of the way these systems are implemented. This concept is explained and a few advantages and disadvantages of making use of hypermedia systems are discussed. A new approach for the development of hypermedia systems, namely the knowledge‐based approach is now looked into. Joel Peing‐Ling Loo proposed this approach because he thought that it is the most effective way for handling this kind of technology. A semantic‐based hypermedia model is developed in this approach to formulate solutions for the restrictions in presenting information authoring, maintenance and retrieval. The knowledge‐based presentation of information includes the use of conventional data structures. These data structures make use of frames (objects), slots and the inheritance theory that is also used in expert systems. Relations develop between the different objects as these objects are included in the database. Relations can also exist between frames by means of attributes that belong to the frames.
Electronic publishing: electric book or battery brochure?
Authors: van Wyk Johan
Published: February 2008

Electronic publishing as a phrase is as meaningless as ‘automatic’ or ‘user‐friendly’, only it is still serving an apprenticeship compared to the latter two. Yet, it is true that the electronic medium has arrived and we need a clear understanding of what it is. Looking at the products you find that it is not merely ‘another medium’, as papyrus replaced the clay tablet, but that the medium has introduced a vast array of functionality, forcing us to re‐think and re‐categorise.
The integration of document image processing and text retrieval principles
Authors: van der Merwe Niël
Published: February 2008

This paper will discuss the integration of document image processing and text retrieval principles in order to process and load existing paper documents automatically in an electronic document database that broadens the user's capability to retrieve relevant information more accurately, without going through costly processes to get paper documents into electronic text. The principles of document image processing systems, as well as the problems and shortcomings of most of today's document image processing systems, will be discussed. Then concept retrieval as the latest development in text retrieval will be discussed, with specific reference to the ability of the TOPIC intelligent text retrieval system to allow users to build up a knowledge base of search objects or concepts that can be used at any point in time by all users for the system. This paper will further specifically look at the automatic processing of paper documents by converting the scanned document image pages through to electronic text. The use of optical character recognition technology, the indexing and loading of the documents in a text database, the automatic linking of the documents to the related document images and the retrieval technology available in TOPIC, specifically the TYPO operator that was developed to handle so‐called dirty data such as the common misspellings, character transpositions and ‘dirty’ text received as output from the OCR process, will be discussed. A possible solution to load paper documents quickly and cost‐effectively into an electronic document database will be discussed and demonstrated in detail. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach will be discussed with specific reference to an electronic news clipping service application.
Electronic health information services: a review
Authors: Myers Glenda
Published: February 2008

Medical libraries have been involved with automated services for over a century, beginning with the association of John Shaw Billings, the Director of the Library of the Surgeon‐General's Office of the US Army and Herman Hollerith, founder of the Computing‐Tabulating‐Recording Company, which eventually changed its name to IBM. In the early 1960s, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) began development of MEDLARS, the first successful large‐scale online bibliographic information retrieval system. More recent developments include use of CDROM discs for searching databases, full‐text online and CDROM medical journals and experiments in document delivery such as ADONIS. Currently, the proliferation of medical end‐users, combined with the need for rapid publication of medical data, has led to the first attempt at electronic publishing in the form of the Online Journal of Current Clinical Trials. The Internet, a global computer network of networks, is now being used to transmit up‐to‐date medical information to practitioners worldwide, while satellite systems such as SatelLife provide the means to transmit health care information to rural areas in developing countries. This paper provides an overview of electronic health information systems currently available, and discusses their implications for the dissemination of information for medical practitioners within the context of the health care infrastructure in South Africa.
CDROM publishing and retrieval using a Local Area Network
Authors: Lategan D.S.
Published: February 2008

The other day I went shopping with my family. My daughter pointed out that there is a special classical music collection on CD. It was a good price and I bought it. At home we sat down and enjoyed a good afternoon of classical music. As I was listening, I realised that it had never occurred to me that these CDs will be compatible with my player at home. I bought them knowing that they are governed by standards and that these standards safeguard users against the tragedy of incompatibility.
The EUROCAT project — the integration of European Community multidisciplinary and document‐oriented databases on CDROM
Authors: Hainebach Richard
Published: February 2008

The Institutions of the European Communities produce a number of document‐oriented databases based on publications and documents distributed either by the Office for Official Publications of the European Communities or by the individual EC institutions themselves. These databases are known under the names of ABEL, CATEL, CELEX, CORDIS RTD‐Publications (formerly known as EABS), ECLAS, EPOQUE, EURISTOTE, RAPID and SCAD and are available via hosts such as EUROBASES, ECHO and the Office for Official Publications. Until the establishment of the EUROCAT project, no single database held a comprehensive and complete collection of all European Community documents and publications. This paper describes the approaches and development procedures taken in integrating and harmonising the data from the various databases in order to produce the truly multilingual EUROCAT database using MS‐DOS‐based software. The resulting database will be available on CDROM.
Materials science and technology: an overview of databases online and on CDROM
Authors: Feldt Jill
Published: February 2008

This paper is a practical introduction to searching for bibliographic information on engineering materials. It is not intended as a ‘how‐to’ guide; rather, its aim is to open a window on the databases that are available and illustrate the all‐encompassing nature of the study of materials science and technology. Databases in languages other than English, full‐text sources and purely numeric databanks are not included.
The culture of net navigation
Authors: Gates Rick
Published: February 2008

In this column, I'd like to deviate from the normal focus on the mechanics of network tools and instead take some time to step back and reflect on the culture of network navigation.
Laser printers
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

Personal computer users now expect their systems to produce printed output that looks very much as if it had been typeset at a professional printing shop. In other words, they are using laser printers. These printers are no longer high‐priced luxury units for publication specialists only; they have become the standard units for personal computer printed output.
That was the year, that was
Authors: Raitt David
Published: February 2008

Since this is the last TEL of the year, I thought I'd give a round‐up of a few of the technologies and news items I've come across in the course of the year and which I found to be of interest. It will be a bit of a hotch‐potch and incomplete — for example, there are virtually daily developments in the field of multimedia but as these are reported quite extensively in the professional press I do not want to take up the time to mention them here, except in passing.
Mastering the art of VR: on becoming the HIT Lab cybrarian
Authors: Emerson Toni
Published: February 2008

Virtual Reality (VR) emerged as a technology when Ivan Sutherland created the ‘Sword of Damocles’, the first visual display enabling users to be immerse themselves in a 3‐dimensional environment (Sutherland 1968). This virtual 3‐dimensional visual display profoundly changes the relationship between the user and the computer. With this virtual interface, the user is placed inside the computer‐generated environment. This concept has revolutionized information displays. For the first time, the user interacts with a spatial display. The virtual display is engineered to fit how we, as humans, perceive things intuitively. Humans are spatial beings and virtual interfaces evolved from the desire to make machines more human‐like (Furness 1986). The paradigm shift in information displays lies in the inclusiveness of the virtual interface. The multi‐sensory display of VR amplifies the perceptions and experiences of the user (Bricken 1991).
An objective look at object‐oriented technology
Authors: Copier Judith
Published: February 2008

Managers today are faced with an ever‐expanding range of options when it comes to managing information within their organizations. Although we build bigger, better and faster machines, the sheer volume of information is expanding more rapidly than our capacity to process it. The problem lies with the software. Most of it is obsolete by the time it is delivered and the design is such that it is nearly impossible to make changes without totally redesigning it. Today's corporation must be flexible and the company's information system must be capable of evolving along with the organization.
Use of hypertext for teaching and training: a bibliography
Authors: Ramaiah Chennupati K.
Published: February 2008

This bibliography was originally compiled for the purpose of a Doctoral degree submitted to Loughborough University of Technology in March 1993. The information in this bibliography, which was started in the last quarter of 1989, was continuously updated by collecting data from all the important current journals and abstracting and indexing sources. It covers all of hypertext, including HyperCard and other hypertext/hypermedia systems which are being used for teaching and training. These systems are also used for conducting research in this field. Full efforts were made to cover all the publications such as periodical articles, conference papers/Proceedings, books and reports that were published until the first quarter of 1993.
CDROMs: at the heart of multimedia
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

CDROMs are not just an important tool for archiving reference materials. Now, personal computers equipped with CDROM drives can be used to display and play back audio recordings (on conventional CDs), drawings and photographic materials as well. Multimedia has become the latest catchword for personal computer vendors and the CDROM drive is at the heart of current audio‐photo‐computer applications. Connect a CDROM drive to your computer, plug in a sound board, attach loudspeakers and you have become a vanguard personal computer user.
Television: multimedia information and entertainment facility
Authors: Raitt David
Published: February 2008

Convergence is even more the name of the game now, it seems. The promise of digital techniques is forging interesting and appealing new bonds between the computer, telecommunications and media industries such that the future is the small screen. And not in ten years, not in five years, but more‐or‐less now.
LISA's move from SilverPlatter to Bowker — looking at the interface
Authors: Stein Jonathan
Published: February 2008

LISA (Library and Information Science Abstracts on CD‐ROM) will no longer be produced by SilverPlatter; it is being replaced by Bowker‐Saur's LISA Plus. The two products are compared with regard to the user interface software, particularly from the aspects of functionality and ease of use. It is concluded that, from this viewpoint, the change may not be an entirely welcome one.
Ariadne: the next generation of electronic document delivery systems
Authors: Roes Hans , Dijkstra Joost
Published: February 2008

Electronic document delivery is a concept which promises to solve end‐user problems in retrieving the primary information referenced to in bibliographical databases. This article describes an approach to electronic document delivery which gradually evolved at Tilburg University over the past two years, leading to the development of a system called Ariadne. First of all, a pragmatic description of electronic document delivery is developed as a basis for a generation model of electronic document delivery systems. This model is illustrated with short references to existing systems and leads to the identification of global requirements for an Ariadne‐like system. Special attention will be paid to existing and developing standards in this field, notably the work of the Group on Electronic Document Interchange (GEDI). The remainder of the article addresses the general model of Ariadne, currently under development at Tilburg University. The article concludes with some strategic issues for libraries and publishers in this field, and a short look into the future.
Software for information storage and retrieval tested, evaluated and compared: Part VII — What to choose, or the purpose of it all
Authors: Sieverts Eric G. , Hofstede Marten
Published: February 2008

The more than 3700 data presented in the tables of preceding articles in this series, pertaining to 37 different software packages for information storage and retrieval (ISR), may seem overwhelming to the reader who needs to make a well‐founded choice. To make this task easier, some general questions can be asked with respect to the required ISR application. These questions can be summarised as: What sort of information? How much? For whom? For what purpose? At what cost? The discussion about user needs, typical applications and lists of demands centres around these five basic questions in relation to the categories of retrieval software which were identified in the six earlier articles. They cover the whole range from bibliographic software to advanced full‐text retrieval software.
Legal implications of EDI settlements in Europe
Authors: King Judith
Published: February 2008

As the use of electronic data interchange (EDI) in international trade becomes more widespread, organisations are having to consider the legal implications, not only of transmitting such data in an electronic format but also of storing such data on magnetic media for periods of maybe up to fifteen years.
Flat‐bed, sheet‐fed and hand‐held scanners
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

Scanners make it possible to transfer images from paper into computer equipment. Drawings (line art) and photographic images (halftones) can be picked up by scanners and then enhanced with image editing software to make the images suitable for use in computer‐generated publications.
The French videotex system, Minitel: its uses and applications in libraries
Authors: Lanoue Margaret
Published: February 2008

The Minitel videotex system has been a success in France, connecting millions of people to information services of every description via their home telephone system. It has been examined by both information specialists and business people to determine the reasons for its unique success. But, how many librarians outside of France know about the information available on Minitel and use this tool in their work? Assuming that those librarians who use the Internet and participate in library‐oriented discussion lists are the most likely at least to be aware of Minitel and its services, the author queried the participants of two discussion lists, LIBREF‐L (reference librarians) and PACS‐L (computer service librarians), to find out if anyone outside of France is using Minitel in the library environment. This article will trace the history of Minitel and will conclude with the results of the informal Internet survey, along with some suggestions for exploration of Minitel services.