This book discusses the relatively new development of interactive communication or dialog between men and computers. In this mutual exchange of information between two systems, each enjoys some independence of action, and the demand for improved information systems would be alleviated if effective communication between man and machine were…

The Vocational Education Act of 1963 triggered the development of a number of computer based guidance projects. However a great majority of these projects have never been transplanted for field testing. Field implementation is essential in order to evaluate the systems and to provide information services which are lacking in many traditional…

The unclassified and unlimited bibliography compiles references dealing specifically with the role of computers in information sciences. The volume contains 239 annotated references grouped under three major headings: Artificial and Programming Languages, Computer Processing of Analog Data, and Computer Processing of Digital Data. The references…

This report describes digital computer simulation efforts in a study of memory systems for two important cases: that of the individual the brain; and that of society, the library. A neural system model is presented in which a complex system is produced by connecting simple hypothetical neurons whose states change under application of a…

Three major presentations from the 1973 Library Automation Research and Consulting Institute are included here. The first outlines the course of library automation in the preceding 10 years. The second is a discussion of the Los Angeles Unified School District's Automated Instructional Materials Handling System (AIMS), which includes materials…

The history, purpose, and operation of six computer-based information networks are described in general and nontechnical terms. In the introduction the many definitions of an information network are explored. Ohio College Library Center's network (OCLC) is the first example. OCLC began in 1963, and since early 1973 has been extending its services…

A selected set of terms and definitions relating to computer networking is presented in a coherent manner. An introduction gives the rationale for the glossary, defines the scope by a brief tutorial overview, and states the glossary format and conventions. The glossary is arranged alphabetically and contains about 140 definitions and associated…

Almost all of the published work on the philosophical question of mechanical intelligence has argued in favor of one or the other of the polarities of possible positions. It is however possible to take a position between these two extremes, those of the True Believer and the Infidel. While this agnostic position is not a strong position in the…

Much of the power of the "information center" comes from its ability to effectively use fourth-generation productivity tools to provide information processing services. A case study of the use of these tools at Western Michigan University is presented. (Author/MLW)

Problems encountered in converting a card-oriented biological data information system to new computer equipment are discussed. Data formats, input-output procedures, search strategies, etc., are described. (5 references) (Author/SJ)

Article describes how badge input and data collection terminals raise productivity and support new library services at the University of Maryland. (HB)

Two major Boston University computer installations--the Academic Computing Center and the office of University Information Systems--are described. Policies and priorities for information systems within the university are established by a committee and proposals for the development of new systems are approved through this committee. (MLW)

A comprehensive review of two new COBOL compilers for microcomputer systems is provided. (Author/TG)