A number of libraries in Europe are involved in the development of Internet subject gateways--services that aim to help users find high quality resources on the Internet. Subject gateways such as SOSIG (Social Science Information Gateway) have been available on the Internet for some years now, and they offer an alternative to Internet search…

This paper examines the potential of the library catalog to serve as a portal to the Internet. The first section provides an overview of the development of the catalog, including the emergence of the union catalog, standardization of cataloging practice, MARC format, and the insufficiency of resources to catalog all the titles acquired by…

This presentation describes the features of the PRO-SEARCH front-end software package and how they can enhance online searching. The cost savings in terms of decreased connect time and convenience for the inexperienced searcher are discussed. The relationship between the quality of reference services and the effectiveness of using PRO-SEARCH in a…

This paper discusses access to information about Southeast Asia on the Internet. The first section summarizes problems with the major Internet search engines and directories. Three broad categories of solutions to improve Internet searching and retrieval are suggested in the second section: (1) efforts to assist end users to use the search engines…

This paper describes the techniques for implementing a full-screen, custom SPIRES interface for a public-use library database. The database-independent protocol that controls the system is described in detail. Source code for an entire working application using this interface is included. The protocol, with less than 170 lines of procedural code,…

The impact of emerging information technologies on the information industry is discussed in four papers. Topics covered include electronic delivery of full text primary literature; a brief evaluation of new information processing technologies and software; networking technologies; and the use of gateway technologies to create new products and…

Four conference presenters involved in consumer online services present information on new products both under development and in the process of implementation, commenting on technological, content, distribution, and consumer service issues. Products and companies discussed are eWorld (Apple Computer Europe); Olivetti Telemedia; CompuServe; and…

The Cornell University (New York) Cornell Theory Center (CTC), a national center for high performance computing, has created the award-winning Math and Science Gateway for grades 9-12 resources from the World Wide Web, organized in a fashion familiar to both educators and students, with links to resources in the areas of mathematics, computing,…

This paper discusses the resources, current operations, and various bibliographic formats and standards used in the University of the Philippines at Los Banos (UPLB) libraries, where the information systems have been independently developed and tailored to their particular needs. Such a situation has resulted in data incompatibility leading to…

The My Monash Portal (Portal) at Monash University (Australia) provides a virtual gateway to support student-centered flexible learning by coordinating several of the university's key resources to meet the needs of students and staff. The Portal is intended to help deliver innovative learning programs, foster opportunities to undertake research,…

The Internet is a decentralized collection of computer networks managed by separate groups using a common set of technical standards. The Internet has tremendous potential as an educational resource by providing access to networking through worldwide electronic mail, various databases, and electronic bulletin boards; collaborative investigation…

A study of "Grateful Med," an interface to Medline, was conducted at California State University/Northridge to discover how efficiently students enrolled in graduate-level research methods classes in health sciences and communicative disorders could access Medline using Grateful Med, what the average costs would be, and how frequently…

Describes the British Library's strategic planning preparation for probable changes in the information environment up to the year 2000 caused by technological, economic, social, and other factors. Highlights include library services; improving its user orientation; information systems strategy; digital collections; catalog access; gateway…

This document brings together eight papers presented at a rehabilitation technology conference, authored by individuals affiliated with the Trace R & D Center on Communication, Control and Computer Access for Handicapped Individuals. Titles and authors of the papers are as follows: "Current Initiatives in Accessible Computing" (Jane Berliss);…

This paper describes a solution to the user identification and tracking problem within an educational World Wide Web environment. The paper begins with an overview of the Teaching Support System project at the University of Girona (Spain); the main objective of the project is to create an integrated set of tools for teachers to use to create and…