Discusses the growth of the Internet and the attitudes of users toward advertising, provides examples of kinds of advertising used on electronic networks, and lists several companies that help advertisers use the Internet. Fifteen guidelines are suggested to help advertisers use the Internet in a reasonable and appropriate way. (Contains 11…

Describes four aspects of computer technology in education in the United States: (1) the number of computers available to students and teachers; (2) where the computers are located and how they are used; (3) the impact of computer use; and (4) hypotheses concerning nonuse, limited use, and inappropriate use. (Contains 13 references.) (LRW)

Online bibliographic and network-based information systems are starting to blur the boundaries that separated print documents. Two concepts emerge as a consequence: the union record, an entity that combines multiple catalog records for a single bibliographic item; and an information dossier, a hypertext-like information object built by linking…

Describes the evolution of audiocassette tapes and considers benefits of using tapes in distance teaching. Problems associated with tapes are discussed; the use of tapes by print-handicapped students is described; and possible solutions to drawbacks are suggested, including organization of contents, cassette indexing, self-pacing, and…

Reports on a study of the problems of, and minimum requirements for, teaching hypertext to undergraduate students in library and information studies. Learning preferences and problems, the effectiveness of a learning program combining concepts and hands-on learning experience, and the problems of absolute beginners are discussed. (four references)…

Information about practice problems was solicited through a structured questionnaire completed by 59 family physicians, 101 pediatricians, and 102 orthopedic surgeons. Across all three groups, a lack of personal time was the major concern. Practice concerns vary among the specialties, a finding of interest to physician education. (SLD)

Examines the use of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methods for the design, development, and delivery of courses and programs through distance education. Topics discussed include problems in implementing QFD; implementation of QFD in training design; and QFD's contribution to service quality improvement in distance education. (Contains 28…

Discusses unethical practices of authors, editors, and reviewers of scholarly journals, including problems related to coauthorship, data sharing, and underreporting; ethical responsibilities of editors; ethics of peer review; and suggestions for eliminating or limiting unethical practices, such as more explicit guidelines for journals and better…

Discusses problems with subject searches in online library catalogs and examines theoretical principles for the design of effective information retrieval systems. Probabilistic ranking methods are discussed, and an experimental online catalog called CHESHIRE is described. It is noted that CHESHIRE uses classification clustering, provides natural…

Traces the evolution of the Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication (CIP) program and discusses its value to libraries, including its use for cataloging, acquisitions, and collection development. Perspectives from participating publishers are given, future possibilities are discussed, and a sidebar describes problems with CIP. (LRW)

Discusses problems that new information technologies have created for intellectual property concerns. Digital sampling devices used in music are described, downloading from large databases is discussed, the problems with derivative works are considered, outdated copyright laws are discussed, and ways that librarians can help protect intellectual…

Discusses the need for an accreditation process of distance education programs in higher education. Topics include the increasing number of distance courses; Department of Education concerns regarding possible abuses; and concern by faculty groups over the control of course content and the commercialization of education by for-profit providers.…

Discusses how Columbia University is rethinking its judicial code after being embarrassed over criticism led by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), a civil liberties group with a flair for public relations. (EV)

Explores how, as more African Americans earn doctorates, a look behind the numbers reveals that doctoral students are going into industry, foundations, and academic counseling-markets that do not represent students' original intent. (EV)

To become more educated consumers in the burgeoning school-security marketplace, boards should beware sales ploys involving strategic alliances, questionable nonprofit or "research" organizations, free assessments, bargain-basement prices, the widget approach, and gimmicks. Insets debate armed officers on campus and provide a school-security…