bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essen Symposium 1986 — a Review
Authors: Noerr K.T.
Published: February 2008

We met again, within the hospitable walls of the Essen University Library. Our host: Dr. Ahmed Helal. The occasion: the 9th Essen Symposium, 8–11 September in Essen, West Germany. This year's topic was the “Impact of New Information Technology on International Library Cooperation.” The Essen Symposium is one of the very few meetings which are reliable. That is, you can count on a small selected group of good papers, excellent discussions, and many opportunities for continuing discussions, for conducting business, and for socialising. For speakers, you can guarantee an interested, informed and often argumentative audience. For exhibitors, the attendees are decision‐makers from their organisations. For delegates, there's the chance to learn, to question, to dispute, to spend several days in a relaxed, yet stimulating, environment. And of course, the reason for all this is the marvellous ability of Dr. Helal, with Pedro Hadstedt and Joachim Weiss providing superb backup, to assemble this group of people. The Symposium is by invitation only, and every year the numbers of the hopeful grow, but the numbers of the ‘guests’ remain constant, as should be the case.
Hardware corner
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

Very large computer‐based files, such as those for catalogues, take up a lot of storage space, and are called upon for rapid access. Disk drives are the kind of computer equipment that is able to meet these storage needs — not ordinary disk drives that are limited to twenty or thirty million bytes (characters), but substantially larger drives that can hold 100 million bytes (100 MB) or more.
Index‐Aid: Computer‐assisted back‐of‐the‐book indexing
Authors: Grosch Audry N.
Published: February 2008

IndexAid is designed to assist in the production of professionally formatted indexes for publications where the indexer has page proofs or knows the page number references. The package is recommended to both novice and professional indexers for use with books, reports, technical documents and any other kinds of publications worthy of having an index.
Making better KWOC indexes even better
Authors: Elvin P.J.
Published: February 2008

In an earlier article (The Electronic Library, April, 1985) a description is given of a method of making a KWOC index from article or document titles with a computer program which enables an indexer to combine words from the title in any way required to form indexing terms. Two versions of the program are described, an interactive one and one which compiles a KWOC index from a file of prepared data. The method has the drawback common to all KWOC indexes that the words in the title have to be used in the form in which they occur and this leads to certain shortcomings in the index such as a multiplicity of forms for what is the same term and the use of comprehensible but unconventional forms of a term. This article discusses these shortcomings and then describes the modifications made to the interactive version of the program which allow an indexer to edit the terms chosen as the index is being compiled so that consistency in the form of the terms is achieved and accepted conventions are observed. Modifications which effect the same improvements have been made to the other version of the program and these are also described. Examples of the use of both these new versions of the program are included.
Alanet: the American Library Association's electronic information system
Authors: Melton Emily
Published: February 2008

Librarians in every type of library — public, academic, school, special — are aware of how important computers have become in the day‐to‐day management of the library. So many types of Hardwareand software are available that many librarians and information professionals feel perpetual “information overload” as they try to decide which system or program is best for various uses in their libraries. Along with automated cataloguing, circulation, and acquisition systems, libraries are presented with bibliographic databases, “front‐end” systems, and electronic mail services, and staff and management are faced with the problem of choosing different types of services from various vendors without really knowing which system is best.
Ready!: A scratchpad for outlines and notes
Authors: Chapman Virginia
Published: February 2008

Ready! is a quick‐reference notepad that can be called to the screen while other programs are in use. It manipulates outlines, handles communications via modems, and allows users to readily transfer the material they create to their other programs. It is flexible and fast in operation, but the user's manual is difficult to wade through.
Ct1Laser: LaserJet setup through pop‐up menus
Authors: Baldwin Jerry
Published: February 2008

Ct1Laser is a simple package, designed to set a number of LaserJet printer operating parameters from pop‐up menus. It can be used without any preliminary study or programming. You can change the parameters without leaving whatever program you are currently using. On the negative side, the package is limited in scope, makes it difficult to store often‐used setups and is poorly documented. The package runs on IBM/PC/XT/ATs and sells for $65 from Rabar Systems International, PO Box 306, Westport CT 06881, USA. Tel: (203) 227–4415.
The microcomputer in the library: VI. Implementation and future development
Authors: Leggate Peter , Dyer Hilary
Published: February 2008

After selecting Hardwareand software, consideration needs to be given to their installation. This includes any necessary cabling and the design of the vdu workstation(s) for staff well‐being. Important decisions also need to be made about data security. The software may need to be tailored to meet library requirements and staff and readers trained in its use. Automation changes the nature of a job and consequently will have an impact on job design and on library procedures. These effects, as well as the software itself, need to be evaluated after the system has been operating for some time, both with a view to improving the existing system and considering possible future developments.
Indexit: low‐cost indexing
Authors: Harter Stephen P.
Published: February 2008

Indexit is a personal computer‐based indexing package designed to handle books and other documents that are not in computer‐readable form. Taking its low price and capabilities into consideration, this package is a reasonable choice, provided the user is willing to put up with some decidedly unfriendly features.
Bakup: Making storage protection easy
Authors: Lundeen Gerald
Published: February 2008

Bakup provides users with convenient, flexible and relatively fast procedures for backing up disk files. It also has automatic record‐keeping. This package performs well and makes hard disk back‐up easy to manage. Its price is at the high end for this type of software, but it compares well with other packages in this price range.
Systems development at the Grom Hayes Library
Authors: Yother Larry W.
Published: February 2008

The Grom Hayes Library Automation Systems, running on a DEC Vax‐11/780 with a VMS operating system and VT100 terminals set to ANSI standard, at Hartford State Technical College in Connecticut, were developed in‐house by a librarian with no previous computer experience. First came a program to print catalog cards (never used), then inventory, circulation, and online cataloging. This process took several years due to the inexperience of the programmer: there were many false starts, and some time was lost due to equipment upgrading. Also, practices mandated by catalog cards did not always work with the computer, and these had to be discovered one at a time. The paper details the painful history, development and progress of the library automation project; describes several of the most common activities which may be generated from a menu; looks at future prospects; and concludes that this kind of home‐grown system is not recommended due to the time and effort involved.
Japanese bibliographic information—its control and standardisation
Authors: Maruyama ShÔJirÔ
Published: February 2008

The importance of bibliographic information as a societal tool in the future is stressed. A definition of and the necessity for bibliographic utilities are presented. After illustrating some operating bibliographic utilities in North America, the history and present situation of bibliographic control in Japan are introduced. Bibliographic activities and library automation at the National Diet Library (NDL) and other libraries in Japan are described. Finally, a developing plan for the establishment of Japanese bibliographic utilities is proposed.
Soft Palette Fonts
Authors: James Stephen E.
Published: February 2008

Soft Palette Fonts contains several unique and distinctive character‐sets worthy of being included in font user's collections. However, there is also a number of undistinguished fonts and one or two that are crude or confusing.
Electronic publishing and its impact on print publishing and other selected library materials: A review, proposal, and design for further research
Authors: Wang Chih
Published: February 2008

The work covers three major sections: introduction, literature review, and methodology. In the first section, the problem, objectives, and rationale of the proposed study are stated. In the literature review, the history, categorization, and issues related to electronic publishing are summarized. The likely impact of electronic publishing on print publishing is also discussed. Finally, research questions, null hypotheses, research design, and data collection are covered in the section of methodology. In addition, the schedule and budget for the study are also roughly planned.
Local area networks for libraries — cast and recast
Authors: Tao Dorothy S.
Published: February 2008

In 1984 the Health Sciences Library at the State University of New York at Buffalo created a local area network (Lan) for the Library Consortium of Health Institutions in Buffalo using a multi‐user microcomputer. The rationale, methodology, capabilities and problems of the Lan are discussed. The changed demands of the Consortium and new University specifications on compatibility which have prompted plans for a new Lan are stated. The rationale and design for the new network are presented, and suggestions for Lan planners are made.
Hardware corner
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

Consciousness of the need to backup hard disks has been rapidly rising, during the past year or two, among users of personal computers. That is probably the reason why there are now so many tape‐drive vendors competing for their attention.
An experiment in computer conferencing using a local area network
Authors: Baird Patricia M. , Borer Beatrice
Published: February 2008

The proliferation of networks is a significant factor in the development and growth of computer conferencing. The authors examine this form of communication and the behavioural and psychological factors which determine its success or otherwise as an effective means of information transfer. In particular, an examination of a computer conferencing experiment using a local area network in the Department of Information Science. University of Strathclyde demonstrated that, despite problems—ergonomic and technical—computer conferencing and electronic journal production have considerable potential and appeal.
The price of 2400 bps
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

If you think a modem that can handle 2400 bits per second (bps) is an unnecessary luxury, it is time to take another look at what these units offer.
BackComm: Communications on tap
Authors: Preston Larry
Published: February 2008

BackComm is designed to reside in the RAM memory of your computer and' is thus immediately available when needed. The package offers a variety of functions, and can be programmed with its own command language. BackComm runs on IBM/PC/AT computers and sells for $495 from LaSalle Micro, 1350 Remington Road, Schaumberg, IL 60195, USA. Tel: (800) 882–5171.
Fancy Fonts: Symbol library for Mac printing
Authors: Catalano Frank
Published: February 2008

If you have a need to create borders, calendars, flow charts or graph grids, the Fancy Fonts package will he of interest to you. Fancy Fonts runs on Macintosh computers and sells for $49.95 from Genny Software Research and Development, PO Box 5909, Beaumont, TX 77706, USA. Tel: (409) 892–5752.
Microcomputers as innovation: policies for implementation in libraries and information services
Authors: Burton Paul
Published: February 2008

The successful implementation of microcomputer‐based systems, despite their relatively low cost, still requires a careful quantitative and qualitative analysis of needs and tasks, followed by attention to managerial details during implementation and operation. A consideration of these factors is preceded by a general overview of the organisational and other implications of introducing an innovative system. The results of some findings are summarised, but there is a need for further research in this area, in order to establish more precisely the impact of IT‐based systems such as microcomputers on library and information services.
Library networking in North America in the 1980s. Part 1: The dreams; the realities
Authors: Hildreth Charles R.
Published: February 2008

This article describes the emergence of the bibliographic utilities and the services they were able to offer to libraries in the face of the high costs and risks of computerization. In 1980 the utilities had dreams of one vast national bibliographic network and a network‐based total library system providing not only cataloging and location facilities but also acquisition, circulation, serials control and interlibrary loan facilities, too. The reasons why these dreams never materialised are noted together with factors why, although they are still major participants in the library automation and networking environment today, the four main bibliographic utilities in North America are declining in so far as use of their traditional services is concerned. The factors discussed include the trends towards decentralized operation with turnkey integrated library systems, the trend towards local resource sharing and the rapidly growing sophistication of librarians with computers. In Part 2, (to appear in the next issue of The Electronic Library) the ways in which the bibliographic utilities are fighting back to try and overcome these adverse trends will be discussed.
The electronic school library
Authors: Harring James E.
Published: February 2008

In the vast literature now available on automation in libraries and information services of different kinds, relatively little has been written on the effects of automation, in particular the use of microcomputers, in school libraries. Yet it is in this area that some of the most interesting developments have taken place. It should also be remembered that the creation of the electronic school library brings information technology to all pupils in a school whereas in other libraries, e.g. public libraries, only the minority of the public who use the public library have access to the technology. The growing use of information technology linked to the development of information skills teaching in schools has, in Britain and elsewhere, created new roles for the school librarian and has enabled pupils to use information technology to think about and effectively use information as well as technology.
IBM Personal System/2
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

Virtually every computer user is aware of the impact that the IBM/PC had in opening the possibilities for use of computers in virtually every organisation and by millions of individual users.
ZyIndex
Authors: Burton Paul F.
Published: February 2008

As more and more organisations produce documents of various types by electronic means using word‐processors, databases and spreadsheets, they need a way to retrieve those documents rapidly, often in response to vaguely defined criteria. ZyIndex provides that facility, as a full text retrieval package working with files created by a range of word‐processors and similar programs. It requires a minimum 256K of Ram and twin disk drives, hard disk or Ram disk and is available for the full range of IBM PCs, all 100% compatible systems and MS‐DOS systems. ZyIndex was developed by the Zylab Corporation, 233 East Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Telephone: (+1) 312 642 2201). Distribution in Europe is by Perspective UK, 100 Baker Street, London, England W1M 1LA. Telephone: (+44) 1 486 6838.
StarIndex: reference aids for word‐processing files
Authors: Bohannan April
Published: February 2008

StarIndex is an acceptable indexing package for most jobs. It does what it promises and the run time is not outrageous. It is included along with most versions of Wordstar that are currently sold. If it is purchased in this way users will probably not find it worthwhile to invest in an additional indexing package. An easier method for setting up formats and some online help would make StarIndex a much friendlier package. StarIndex is part of a Professional Options package available for use with WordStar word‐processing software. The package also includes a mailing capability called MailMerge and a spelling module called CorrectStar. The package runs on IBM/PC and Apple computers. It sells for $150 from MicroPro International, 33 San Pablo Ave., San Rafael, CA 94903, USA.
Library networking in North America in the 1980s Part 2: The response of bibliographic utilities to local, integrated systems
Authors: Hildreth Charles R.
Published: February 2008

Part I (in the previous issue of TEL) discussed how the changing library network environment and the trend towards decentralization and local, integrated systems was having an adverse affect on the growth of the bibliographic utilities. In this article, the reasons why the bibliographic utilities no longer dominate the North American library automation scene in quite the same way as before are summarized and their responses to the changing conditions and challenges brought about by microcomputers, integrated library systems and increased knowledge that libraries have about computers are discussed. Their responses can be viewed as a four part thrust: a move to distributed processing systems, participation in the Linked Systems Project; the introduction of new and improved services; and international ventures.
Technostress in libraries: causes, effects and solutions
Authors: Bichteler Julie
Published: February 2008

Accompanying the successful and exciting high tech revolution in libraries has been the occurence of a number of physical, psychological and social problems among staff and patrons. This paper reports on technostress in libraries, examining some of the fears, frustrations and misconceptions which hamper the effective use of computers. Technostress among library staff members may result from poorly designed workstations, inadequate training and inept planning and implementation on the part of management. Library users often have false expectations and a lack of understanding of the system, resulting, at least in part, from inappropriate training. Both staff and users may suffer from fear, insecurity and general apprehension of new technology. Managers can take a variety of approaches to alleviate technostress in staff and patrons.
Translating speech by computer
Authors: Raitt David
Published: February 2008

People who cannot speak a word of each other's language will soon be able to talk over the phone using a sytem developed by British Telecom's Research Laboratories. The world's first instantaneous translation of speech by computer was recently carried out when simple sentences in English were translated into French and vice‐versa. The prototype equipment can translate English into German, Spanish, Swedish and Italian and the reverse capability is also being developed. This will then make possible translation between any pair of these languages, such as French‐German or Swedish‐Italian.
National Conference on Automation of Information Services: 17–21 September 1987, Bourgas, Bulgaria
Authors: Raitt David
Published: February 2008

The Bulgarian national information policy is directed towards the practical realisation of two aims: the development of an efficient information infrastructure satisfying the country's information needs; and the improvement of international information exchange. Both these aims were apparent at the 3rd National Conference on Automation of Information Services which took place in Bourgas, Bulgaria from 17–21 September 1987.
Hard disks over 100 MB
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

Large computer‐based files are a natural result of the automation of libraries and information services. For example, a catalogue that contains 100 thousand records, each with 100 words, will require about 80 million bytes (Mb) to store those records, plus added space to accommodate indexes to speed access, software and other related material.
Paperbase De Luxe
Authors: Wujastykd ominik
Published: February 2008

Paperbase de Luxe is a simple flat‐file database program designed specifically for the storing and manipulating of bibliographical data of the sort used by scientists and others writing referenced articles and reports, or by those simply wanting to keep track of their reading matter or offprints file. It is fairly straightforward to use and, by and large, fulfils its function well. It is distributed by Wight Scientific, 44 Roan Street, London SE10 9JT, England. Telephone: 01 858 2699. It costs £90 in Europe; the first update to a new version of the program is free while subsequent updates are £5 (until end 1987).
The Utlas approach to vernacular processing
Authors: Cain Jack
Published: February 2008

The author describes the experience of adapting existing software to multi‐script two byte per character processing. The software concerned supports shared cataloguing by libraries on a service bureau basis. The adaptation is principally for Japanese, but incidentally includes Greek and Cyrillic scripts as well. The issues of a ‘separate systems approach’ and romanisation are also addressed.
Building a bibliographic network for Singapore
Authors: Royan Bruce
Published: February 2008

The Singapore Integrated Library Automation Service provides a national bibliographic source, a shared library network, a cooperative online shared cataloguing facility and a national union catalogue for the libraries of Singapore. This paper traces the history of Silas with special emphasis on the building of the database by merging together bought‐in files with the machine‐readable cataloguing of the National Library and other major Singapore libraries. The setting up of a data communications network based on communicating personal computers is also discussed.
The Knowledge Warehouse: Legal and commercial issues
Authors: Williamson R
Published: February 2008

This paper describes the legal and commercial aspects of the Knowledge Warehouse, a national archive of the electronic form of knowledge works, based on a year long study undertaken by Publishers Databases Ltd with support from the British Library and Department of Trade and Industry. Legal issues include the establishment of an Archive Trust, ownership and control of archived data, copyright, and conditions for deposit of works. Commercial issues include exploitation of archived data, types of product to emerge from the Archive, and key contractual issues.
Micro‐based relational database for a special library
Authors: Satalkar Vasudha , Kunte Pravin
Published: February 2008

A library is called a special library if it collects material on specific subjects or has special material or has special readers. The micro computer‐based dBASE II package is a viable tool to store, select, retrieve and manipulate numerical and alphabetical data. This capability can be rigourously exploited by a librarian to replace catalogues, indexes or any other records that are important from a management point of view. At the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering (CSRE) of IIT, Bombay, India, a microcomputer‐based database has been developed to carry out the following functions for the library. 1) Storage and management of bibliographic data. 2) Selection and conditional retrieval of data. 3) Preparation of reports. This paper describes the concept, structure development, usage, advantages and limitations of the system. As the library is a service‐orientated organisation, then a computer will be a very effective tool in the hands of a librarian to perform library functions satisfactorily.
ENABLE: Unique integrated package
Authors: Fuller Sherrilynne
Published: February 2008

ENABLE is a very powerful package that provides word‐processing, spread‐sheet, telecommunications, graphics and database modules. The individual modules rival the performance of many single‐function packages. In addition, Enable provides features such as windowing and menu customization that make unique use of integrated package possibilities. Enable runs on IBM/PC/AT computers and sells for $695 from The Software Group, Northway Ten Executive Park, Ballston Lake, NY 12019, USA.(800) 634‐3470.
Direct entry without keyboarding
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

Wouldn't it be nice to put the title, author, publisher and other items of bibliographic information from a new acquisition into a computer without having to keyboard every character? A capability like that would bring changes in the way acquisitions are handled, but they might be beneficial changes. How about directly entering words and paragraphs from documents into a computer with the same ease that these items are now underlined or highlighted for data entry? That capability might have a considerable impact on the way abstract listings and bibliographies are produced.
CD‐ROM creation and use tools
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

Suppose you want to record material on a CD‐ROM for use in your own organisation, or for distribution to others. There are services that handle the ‘mastering’ or recording process. Generally they work from material recorded on tapes or floppy disks. However, it is important to recognise that organising and putting together very large files for placement on CD‐ROMs (the process is called premastering) can be a complex procedure. If the organisation is not done properly, the final disks may be less than useful. To get an idea of what is involved, let us take a look at the offerings of two vendors that supply software and Hardwarefor CD‐ROM creation and use.
Inmagic
Authors: Grosch Audrey N.
Published: February 2008

Now in its seventh major version, the Inmagic database, retrieval and application development software provides a continuously improved system for the library, information centre or any organisation requiring a powerful, variable length field and record database system with powerful Boolean search and complex report generation facilities. The Companion package, Biblio, features predefined database definitions and reports applicable to the library automation situation as well as an excellent tutorial and learning package for any user of the Inmagic software.
CD‐ROM as an online public access catalogue
Authors: Akeroyd John
Published: February 2008

The provision of information on optical discs has had a relatively short gestation period by comparison with other new technologies, though similar problems—a lack of standardisation, a lack of knowledge of appropriate applications and general uncertainty have all been in evidence. However by 1985 there were clear moves to establish the 12 cm Compact Disk (widely used as a format for audio recordings) as a publishing medium for large bibliographic and data files. At the same time standards for the interfaces for the CD‐ROM (Compact Disk‐Read only Memory) drive and for physical data organisation (known as the High Sierra standard) have helped remove some uncertainty. Perhaps paramount in establishing CD‐ROM have been the relatively low production costs resulting from the high volume of Compact Disks being produced for the audio market.
Online information services in schools
Authors: Clyde Laurel A.
Published: February 2008

Online information services are increasingly being used in schools and school libraries, both as a source of information and as a means of teaching information skills. Types of online services available include cataloguing information services, bibliographic services, full‐text and statistical information services, videotex services, local and special interest services and electronic bulletin boards. These are discussed in relation to current educational theory and the possible curriculum applications in schools.
CD‐ROM Review: Bookshelf
Authors: Raitt David
Published: February 2008

Microsoft BOOKSHELF CD‐ROM Reference Library is a writing tool designed for use with a word processor, Bookshelf contains ten helpful reference sources which enable writers, journalists, editors and others who have extensive writing tasks to amend and transform their output by correcting words, checking style, or adding quotes or facts. On the single CD‐ROM disk are the following tools:
Criteria for the evaluation of text storage and retrieval software
Authors: Nieuwenhuysen Paul
Published: February 2008

Criteria to evaluate and select software for online text information storage and retrieval software are presented in the form of a checklist. The list has a hierarchical structure; the headings are Input of information, Indexing, Interactive searching for information, and Output features, with, additionally, a few remarks about Current awareness, Security/Privacy/Authorisation, Read‐only version, and Integration with other programs.
Microcomputer software for online information management: an overview
Authors: Niewenhuysen Paul
Published: February 2008

This paper summarises the findings of a critical overview to be published in 1988, of more than 200 programs for online information management. The programs are classified as follows: —Software for terminal emulationl(tele)communications/uploading/ downloading, mainly to communicate with remote computers such as databanks, and to aid online searching of databases. —Software to reformat/convert the captured information automatically, so that is can be loaded/imported in databases managed by a program of the next category. —Software for the local, in‐house storage and retrieval of text information to manage the received and reformatted information, as well as other manual input. —Software for word processing to process text information in addition to programs from the categories mentioned above. Programs for microcomputers which can run the operating system PC‐DOS/MS‐DOS received most attention.
Fast new personal computers
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: February 2008

Readers familiar with computers will recall that the timing of the central processing unit of a computer is controlled by a clock, and that transfers of data can take place during a single tick of this clock. For example, the clock of an IBM/PC/AT computer, which uses an 80286 processor chip, runs at eight million ticks per second (8 MHz), and the clocks of many other personal computers run at half that speed.
QuikSave: Hard disk backup aid
Authors: Roberts Justine
Published: February 2008

Quiksave is a backup utility which copies files from a hard disk onto floppy disks, does a total or partial restoration of the floppy files to the hard disk, and provides automatic reminders to support a user‐determined backup schedule. QuickSave runs on IBM/PC/AT computers and sells for $99 from Micro Interfaces Corp., 16359 N.W. 57th Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33014, USA. (800) 637–7226; (305)623–9262.
CATS: Computerised Acquisitions and Tracking
Authors: Shepard Clayton A.
Published: February 2008

CATS provides most of the needed acquisitions operations for a typical library. It is easily mastered and straightforward, even for the most unsophisticated user. CATS is versatile, flexible and essentially free of awkward demands and hidden traps. For those who already own the dBase III database package, on which CATS depends for its operation, the price of CATS is certainly an attractive one. Libraries needing instant acquisitions automation should give it serious consideration. CATS runs on IBM/PCs and compatible computers. It requires the use of the dBase III database package. CATS sells for $100 from David Morse or Alice Karasick, USC Norris Medical Library, 2003 Zonal Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. (213) 224–7413.
Taking the ship out of the bottle
Authors: Cisler Steve
Published: February 2008

I have always marvelled at the beauty of a model ship that is built in a bottle. Because my father collected ship models I was able to watch a retired Danish sea captain painstakingly construct some parts outside the bottle and assemble it all within. I marvel, too, at the online public access catalogues that librarians and automation managers and cataloguers have constructed over the years at great effort and great expense. In a sense, these are similar to the ships in bottles; the OPACs are finely crafted but present only a small window to the information within our libraries. Access is still some‐what limited. Almost all of us still have to view the electronic library through glass teletypes (or perhaps VT‐100 emulation), and it is a rather narrow view.
HyperCard opens an electronic window on Glasgow
Authors: Baird Patricia
Published: February 2008

HyperCard is a powerful non‐linear database management facility which allows discrete elements or parcels of information (text and graphic) to be linked and manipulated on the basis of patterns of association. The generic, hypertext, on which it is based is not new, but the recent proliferation of applications suggests that the technology has come of age. The author looks at the theory and the background to hypertext, generalised applications and, in particular, at a large‐scale project based in the Strathclyde Business School to create an electronic conspectus on the life and times of the City of Glasgow—Glasgow Online.
InLine: Automated outlines
Authors: Bell Steven J.
Published: February 2008

InLine is an outlining package that automatically creates as many as ten outline levels, and offers the user some wordprocessing functions. InLine is easy to learn and use. It raises outlining to new levels of sophistication, yet remains simple to manipulate. InLine runs on IBM PC/XT/AT computers and compatibles. It sells for $49.95 from Compusense, 55 Constitution Dr., Bedford, NH 03102, USA. (603) 472‐2088.
CD‐ROM Review: TERMDOK — multilingual technical dictionary
Authors: Raitt David
Published: February 2008

TERMDOK is a multilingual technical dictionary on CD‐ROM created by the Swedish Centre for Technical Terminology (TNC), published by Walters Lexicon (a newly established family company within the electronic publishing field which concentrates on dictionaries), and produced by Archetype Systems Ltd using the Dataware 2000 CD‐ROM retrieval software. TNC is a non‐profit organisation, supported by the Swedish government, engaged in the standardisation of technical terminology and the terms found in the multilingual dictionaries TNC publishes are included after careful investigation and co‐operation with the relevant bodies in the subject fields. A TNC glossary is comparable with a national standard as regards authority, consensus and quality. Termdok contains over 25,000 single and multi‐word terms taken from some twenty‐six different glossaries published by TNC. Corresponding terms and synonyms to the Swedish main entries are given, where available, in English, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Russian and Spanish. There are over 100.000 such equivalent terms. Table 1 gives an overview of the subject of each glossary, the number of Swedish entries, and the availability of translated equivalents.
Bar Coded Library Circulation Systems in Singapore
Authors: Royan Bruce
Published: February 2008

The traditional methods of library book lending and membership control are discussed, and the advantages of bar code based automated systems are suggested. The experiences of seven major Singapore libraries in implementing such systems are compared, with special reference to the use of ‘specific’, ‘significant’ or ‘smart’ bar codes, comparisons of purchased versus locally printed labels and homebrew versus turnkey systems, and a look at the problems of retrospective conversion.
Dac‐Easy Base: an alternative database
Authors: Perry James
Published: February 2008

Dac‐Easy Base offers many of the same features as the popular dBase II database package at afar lower price. Dac‐Easy Base runs on computers that use PC‐DOS or MS‐DOS system software (version 2.0 or later). It sells for $49.95 from Dac Software, 4801 Spring Valley Road, ♯110B, Dallas, TX 75244.800 992‐7779. (214) 458‐0038.
CD‐ROM Review: McGraw Hill CD‐ROM Science and Technical Reference Set
Authors: Raitt David
Published: February 2008

The McGraw‐Hill CD‐ROM Science and Technical Reference Set contains, on a single disk, the 1984 editions of the McGraw‐Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology and the McGraw‐Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. The Encyclopedia contains 7,300 articles on all aspects of science and technology written to provide short, but comprehensive coverage of each topic. The Dictionary, in its 3rd edition, contains some 98,500 terms and 115,000 definitions. The combined 4000 pages of these two important, first‐stop reference works together with their illustrations are contained on one CD‐ROM searchable under Reference Technology's Full Text Manager software. The user can enter single or multiple terms, authors or titles to retrieve information. Articles, selected from a summary list, may be read, printed or downloaded to disk. While in the Encyclopedia, special dictionary functions let users view term definitions through window overlays.
Fibre optic cables; do's and don'ts for personal computers and terminal users
Authors: Pepplar Mike
Published: February 2008

Your computer may talk to other computers with light, over a glass data highway — fibre optic cabling. Since more and more personal computers and terminals are being connected to larger computer networks with light‐carrying fibre optics, you should know some of the do's and don'ts on how to use them and take care of them. Once you determine that your workstation uses pulses of light to communicate, you can do something to ensure that the light doesn't go out.
PRS: Professional Plan — a spreadsheet contender
Authors: Plutchak T. Scott
Published: February 2008

Users with sophisticated, complex spreadsheet needs will find PFS: Professional Plan to be a very efficient, easy‐to‐use and easy‐to‐learn package. PFS: Professional Plan runs on IBM‐PCs and compatibles with a minimum of 384Kb (448Kb when using DOS 3.0 or higher).
Of CD‐ROMs and History
Authors: Spence Richards Pamela
Published: February 2008

Musing the other day on the possible reasons for the information profession supporting the small coven of information historians to which I belong, I decided that we owe our keep to a couple of factors peculiar to the field. First — more relevant to the university than to industry — is information science's yearning for validation as a discipline. If it has a history, even if it only goes back to the telegraph (this is for the faint of heart; True Believers can lecture endlessly on the Book of the Dead as early information technology), then information science must be taken seriously. If information science can't command the same respect in faculty meetings as law or medicine, well, we're at least not leisure science, or food science. We have historians. More simply put — we have a past, therefore we must exist. The second, and much more legitimate, reason that historians of information are given succour, corporate or academic, is that information science is a results‐orientated field. Over the past century and a half it's brought forth some products that changed society as well as some expensive flops, so it's of more than conversational interest to identify parallels between present and past society‐technology interfaces. (Such compelling questions raise their heads as to whether or not pink haircurlers killed the picture‐phone in 1971, and, if so, whether a feminist America is ready for it now. These are weighty issues — well worth having a historically‐oriented colleague or two around.)
The human side of library automation
Authors: Morris Anne , Barnacle Stephen
Published: February 2008

The introduction and use of new technology is becoming increasingly commonplace in today's libraries. Technological advances have made possible impressive achievements in improving services and streamlining operations. However, these achievements are often forfeited by managers failing to examine the human effects of automation. This paper highlights the need to consider the human component in the system and reviews health and safety aspects, the ergonomics of library automation, workplace design and job organisation. It concludes that consideration of these factors, combined with detailed knowledge about the needs and habits of personnel, can go a long way to ensure that staff are happy and healthy and that the system runs smoothly and efficiently.
An evaluation of ERIC on CD‐ROM in a college library
Authors: Pope Carolyn
Published: February 2008

At the beginning of the October 1987 session OCLC set up an evaluation project at King's College Library in London, whereby the site library serving the Centre for Educational Studies would act as one of the European test sites for OCLC's Search CD450 for their Version of ERIC on CD‐ROM. The paper describes the provision of equipment, software, accompanying literature and assessment questionnaire, as well as the main characteristics of the system and the search facilities. The implications for the library of staff training and a heavy additional programme of user education are also discussed. User reaction was extremely favourable, and many more readers made use of the facility than had requested online searches, whereas it had previously been unusual for any one reader to have more than two online searches per year.
Image processing and page presentation: part 2
Authors: Cawkell A.E.
Published: February 2008

The series continues with further sections covering the fundamentals of image processing, including text capture and image scanning, and ending with a short explanation comparing reproduction on Cathode Ray Tubes and printers. Image processing systems are then considered in greater detail starting with scanning techniques. Methods of two‐level (black or white), halftone, and colour scanning are described, followed by compression systems, screens for printing, and the control of scanner/printer reproduction of halftones.
FLAN: virtual inter‐linking using floppy disks as a local area network
Authors: Giaccai Susanna
Published: February 2008

The paper discusses how to share functions such as cataloguing and interlibrary loan between libraries and other information centres by setting up a virtual network of microcomputers using TINlib software. Data exchange between eight information centres is effected using floppy disks, thereby creating a Floppy disk Local Area Network, or FLAN.
The Finnish Delphi study: forecasting the extent of information technology use in libraries in 1996 and 2010
Authors: Koskiala Sinnikka , Huhtanen Anni
Published: February 2008

The Finnish Council for Scientific Information and Research Libraries funded a Delphi study to predict the extent of use of information technology in the years 1996 and 2010. A panel of Finnish experts was interviewed in two consecutive sessions. As a comparison group eleven international experts were also interviewed. The paper includes a tabular summary of the predictions and estimations given by both groups of experts.
SABRE — a novel software tool for bibliographic post‐processing
Authors: Burge Cecil D.
Published: February 2008

This paper describes the software architecture and application of SABRE (Semi‐Automated Bibliographic Research Environment), a novel software tool for bibliographic post‐processing. Sabre is one of the first products to provide a semi‐automatic environment for relevancy ranking of citations obtained from searches of online or CD‐ROM databases. Sabre also contains tools designed to meet the review, categorization, culling and reporting needs of bibliographic researchers.
A project for improving interaction between users and information centres: public access to databases in Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Barcellos Silvia
Published: February 2008

The increasing availability of telematics has provided information users with more effective mechanisms for accessing information. Nevertheless, the lack of standardised methodologies that integrate information storage and retrieval systems and therefore facilitate interaction between the users and such systems impedes more widespread use of these new resources. While teleprocessing provides the means for direct searching in remote databases, the lack of a common methodology for access is troublesome for the user since s/he must master all of the specific and different characteristics of the retrieval procedures adopted by each host centre for the databases. These problems began to emerge in Brazil in 1985, with the creation of the National Packet Switching Network (RENPAC—Rede Nacional de Comutação de Pacotes). This paper discusses the situation and the state of computerisation in Brazil which led to RENPAC being created. It goes on to describe the network model and how the Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia (IBICT), together with other centres, has set up a project and guidelines for the creation of an integrated system for public access to databases. These guidelines, which are described in this article, include the design and implementation of a common information retrieval language (LINCE), the interconnection of database host centres by means of RENPAC, and the automation of procedures for requesting copies of articles in a network of libraries.
Microcomputer applications in online information work: an exploration
Authors: Nieuwenhuysen Paul
Published: February 2008

The evolution of microcomputer hard‐ and software is very dynamic, and by analogy, the application of a microcomputer system can be seen as an adventurous exploration. This metaphor is taken to the extreme to shape a brief and light overview of the state‐of‐the‐art in the domain of microcomputer applications for online information retrieval from external databanks and from CD‐ROMs, and for the subsequent post‐processing of data downloaded to the microcomputer system.
Customer service American style
Authors: Arnold Stephen E.
Published: February 2008

In the early days of the electronic publishing business, when a customer called a database producer, the person who answered the telephone probably invented and used the product. Believers and zealots were they. The first online searchers also had an evangelical spirit. It was a heavenly time: online was service. It was adventure. People cared.
Technology — the new opium of the masses?
Authors: Fisher David
Published: February 2008

The Information Age is upon us. Technology changes daily as the capricious winds of progress blow it first one way and then another.
PC Corner
Authors: Roberts Jim
Published: February 2008

I seem to have spent most of the last few months travelling to meetings to talk about connecting computers together. Of the twenty‐four flights I have made since 1 March this year, only four left the gate within ten minutes of the scheduled time. The longest delay was 3.5 hours. Kennedy Airport introduced me to a new phenomenon which I could have done without—having to wait on the plane for over an hour before being allowed to disembark into a departure hall for another hour or two. If this is the result of the US Government dropping visa requirements, then I for one would be happy to see it re‐introduced!