Reviews two software products--INSTANTCOM and PC WRITE--that work well in tandem and possess the following capabilities: make logon easy and memory-independent; allow prewritten search statements to be uploaded; allow downloading of results; permit easy editing and other data management options. Examples done on the IBM PC/AT are provided. (EJS)

Graphical User Interface (GUI)--and its variant, pen computing--is rapidly replacing older types of operating environments. Despite its heavier demand for processing power, GUI has many advantages. (SK)

Review of computer software offering text editing/processing capabilities highlights work habits, elements of computer style and composition, buffers, the CRT, line- and screen-oriented text editors, video attributes, "swapping,""cache" memory, "disk emulators," text editing versus text processing, and UNIX operating…

Demonstrates methods of enhancing communication between computers and computer users in educational programs. Applies educational learning concepts to the design of software to improve user/machine interaction, especially for microcomputers. (Author/RW)

This paper argues that the advent of the optical videodisc has removed one of movie making's basic tenets: that is, the unfolding of the imagery and the order of succession of the frames. It maintains that the optical videodisc provides the opportunity for topical and temporal reconfiguration of the images wherein the viewer becomes an active…

The principal human factors engineering issue in robotics is the division of labor between automation (robots) and human beings. This issue reflects a prime human factors engineering consideration in systems design--what equipment should do and what operators and maintainers should do. Understanding of capabilities and limitations of robots and…

Clarifies often misconstrued distinctions with regard to microcomputers, minicomputers, and maxicomputers. Criteria for educational use of microcomputers are examined, including its potential for language and peripheral expansion, and its communication capabilities. (MER)

Discusses issues involved in offering printing for online library catalogs and weighs advantages and disadvantages of screen printing versus remote printing--speed, quality, privacy, convenience, noise, control, costs, accessibility and service. Additional technical issues discussed are buffered versus unbuffered asynchronous printer ports,…

This article discusses similarities between the local bulletin board system (BBS) and the public library. Highlights include components of the small BBS (system operator, host computer, "messaging" software, auto-answer device, connection to one or more phone lines); uploading and downloading; notes from the board; and the role of the…

Examines capabilities of the computer as a tool for bibliographic instruction; how librarians can utilize the computers; and the effects of microcomputers on bibliographic instruction librarians. Three approaches to writing computer-assisted instruction (CAI) programs (CAI authoring system, special purpose CAI language, general purpose computer…

Examines the characteristics of management information systems and their impact on decisions of senior library managers. The organizational feasibility of such systems is discussed in terms of four key components--economic, technical, structural, psychological--that are related to libraries in general and senior management decisions in particular.…

Focusing on management decisions in academic libraries, this article compares management information systems (MIS) with decision support systems (DSS) and discusses the decision-making process, information needs of library managers, sources of data, reasons for choosing microcomputer, preprogrammed application software, prototyping a system, and…

During the next decade schools will shift to a new model of instruction that combines teachers and machines. Described are the probable characteristics of the model, the coming changes in curriculum content and design, and the stages of evolution to the new model. (MLF)

This article argues that, if creativity is measured by outcomes, then basic forms of reasoning (deduction, induction, abduction, specialization/generalization, and elementary memory associations) can be considered mildly creative. The claim is backed by references to computer programs that have generated creative outcomes. Limitations of this…

The changes in the relationship between the computer and user from that of an isolated productivity tool to than of an active collaborator in the acquisition, use, and creation of information, as well as a facilitator of human interaction are discussed. The four paradigms of computing are compared. (KR)