Several museum information processing systems are discussed in relation to their underlying assumptions regarding museum information and networking needs that have resulted in inadequate service to some kinds of museums, particularly historical museums. Rather than any of these systems, a modular approach is proposed that would allow each museum…

Broad coverage is essential to the effectiveness of information services. This paper criticizes the misleading claims made regarding computer-based systems in this context. It describes the Scientific Documentation Centre's services, the basis on which its resources are allocated, and the criteria for selection of operating techniques and…

Information systems developed to support university planning must be designed to insure that all planning needs can be met. Only highly flexible, highly integrated information systems can meet current planning requirements. Such systems should be designed in a modular fashion and employ user-oriented languages to select and combine the system…

The report discusses the file management requirements of a computer-based information storage and retrieval system for the Language Information Network and Clearinghouse System (LINCS). It discusses a hypothetical structure for the LINCS system, requirements of file management, long-range trends in data management technology of interest to the…

This report presents an initial five-year program for meeting the critical transportation information needs of industry and government at national, state and local levels. The program provides for information on the flows of persons and goods, information on the activities (population and industry) that generate the flows, and information on the…

A feedback system for reporting individual pupil variables; classroom, school, and districtwide summaries was designed. The system utilized optically scanned forms which produced input files for report production. The system was designed so that the numbers and types of variables were fixed, but that the content of the variables was completely…

Problems of the college or university that center around the people who use the institution's computers are examined. It is suggested that effective use of computers in higher education depends on how well the users and providers understand the constraints and problems of each information system. (Author/SF)

User perception of data importance and the economic feasibility of hardware and storage devices will determine the future direction of online systems. A retrieval system's functions are ultimately dictated by database design. Early online sytems were designed for bibliographic information limited to citations only using sequential files. When…

Examines the workings of the existing system of computer data bases for technical and scientific information in the United States and raises questions about developing a public national information network. (JMF)

Administrative computing in higher education and its implications for the management of colleges and universities are explored. The evolution of administrative computing is traced from the use of minicomputers to the implementation of a management information system. (Author/SF)

A task force sought to determine the information needs of the Tulsa Public Schools (Oklahoma) by studying goals of the school district, identifying all processes necessary for operation of the school system, and conducting interviews with 48 key members. A detailed information systems matrix was constructed to show the interrelationships between…

Discusses processes involved in development, operation, and utilization of bibliographic databases--design, data collection, processing, access, and use--and assesses their relevance to developing countries. Utilization of other countries' databases, use of services of organizatons in other countries, and participation in a cooperative system are…

Arguments for and against decentralization of data management, analysis, and planning systems are presented. It is suggested that technological advances have encouraged decentralization. Caution in this direction is urged and the development of an articulated decentralization program is proposed. (SF)

This report, the result of developmental research on a planning information system for North Carolina, describes the planning process at higher levels of State government, defines a general information system and derives a planning information system from various types of planning, provides guidelines for system design and evaluation, and…

The rapidly expanding use of teleprocessing, which is taken to mean automated data processing (ADP) which makes direct use of data transmission via switched or long distance non-switched telecommunications facilities, has highlighted the urgent need for the development of standards for data communications and the computer-communications interface.…