The launch of HealthCare.gov, the website of the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare), was a major public relations disaster for the Obama administration. This case examines some of the factors that contributed to the failure of the launch and then details how Optum, an information technology service provider, considered the opportunity provided by…

Integrating news services into an intranet can be tricky. Even within related organizations, slight differences in subscriptions and end-user needs can necessitate different integration approaches. This article examines how the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund took separate approaches to tackle the same integration challenge in…

Identifies two types of applications software for microcomputers: (1) communications, file transfer, and search assistance software, which facilitates intelligent access to external databases; and (2) software to support local database creation and searching. Functions of each type of software are described and examples of commercial packages are…

This review of the events leading to a planned materials information system in Europe focuses on national policies and actions the Commission of the European Communities. Recommendations issued by a 1982 workshop are discussed, and the objectives and development of a planned demonstrator program are outlined. (11 references) (CLB)

Proposes an intra-institutional "Center of Institutional Research" and discusses the possible contribution of such a center toward achievement of an efficient educational data system. (DE)

The European Commission is responsible for the development of online information systems and for providing public databases of information on the European Union's activities. Topics include the union's telecommunications policy and role; network facilities; ways to access online services; programs to promote the use of information services; and a…

A comprehensive review of the current status, prospects, and problems of computer networking in higher education is presented from the perspectives of both computer users and network suppliers. Several areas of computer use are considered including applications for instruction, research, and administration in colleges and universities. In the…

Discusses forces at work within today's on-line data base environment which could lead to the emergence of a distributed information network; identifies several important modules in such a network, including an automated subject switching module; and reports research investigations, critical issues, and preliminary findings with regard to…

Summarizes a study that identified and described federal information inventory/locator systems and resulted in the Federal Locator Database--an electronic database describing 250 federal databases. Recommends that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget develop policy frameworks for the design of a governmentwide locator system accessible over…

The proceedings of a seminar on factual and numerical data banks are described. Seminar objectives were to: (1) make potential users aware of the value of data banks in their respective disciplines and inform them of the tools available; (2) identify national and regional data bank requirements; and (3) define a strategy for development in this…

A series of 11 articles describes information technologies being used in the U.S. Congress, the impact of these technologies, and possible future developments. Included are a chronology of key actions affecting congressional information support and a list of readings in information technology and Congress. (CLB)

Describes the development of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) library information network which provides NRL scientists with access to CD-ROM databases, electronic journals, software applications, the Internet, and the library's online catalog. Implementation phases, system research and development, CD-ROM networking feasibility analysis,…