This overview of CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) technology covers technical specifications as well as applications of special interest to teachers, school administrators, and librarians. Materials available on CD-ROM disks are described, including a variety of reference works, and a directory of publishers/producers is provided. Issues of…

Presents guidelines developed at Cornell University for selection of compact-disc databases for public use in libraries. Criteria are suggested for the following areas: (1) collection development; (2) administrative considerations; (3) vendor considerations; (4) search capabilities; and (5) ease of use. One reference is listed. (MES)

Describes optical data disk products currently on the market and discusses publishers to users' needs. Ways in which librarians can influence product development and design are suggested. (CLB)

Reports on an informal survey of plans, practices, and strategies in relation to optical reference tools at several research libraries. The discussion focuses on start-up and continued funding, hidden costs, cost savings options, and future costs. (5 references) (MES)

Compares features of user interfaces for CD-ROM public access catalogs by six vendors: (1) Auto-Graphics; (2) Brodart; (3) General Research Corp.; (4) Library Corporation; (5) Library Systems and Services, Inc.; and (5) Marcive. Brief evaluations of the products are included, and detailed descriptions of each are appended. (MES)

Presents the estimated market values of optical data disk products in 1987 and 1988, and describes the primary and secondary market indicators used to evaluate product standings. The discussion covers issues affecting electronic publishing and the optical disk industry. (CLB)

The first of two articles provides an overview of four revolutions in publishing--the movable-type printing press, mechanization, the computer, and optical disc technology. The first phases of CD-ROM development--demonstration of feasibility and testing of replacement functions--are described and compared with earlier technologies. (3 references)…

Reviews trends in library software development including: (1) microcomputer applications; (2) CD-ROM; (3) desktop publishing; (4) public access microcomputers; (5) artificial intelligence; (6) mainframes and minicomputers; and (7) automated catalogs. (MES)

Summarizes early-user response from several academic and special libraries to CD-ROM information products, including (1) promotion; (2) training; (3) user reaction; (4) impact on online and print usage; and (5) costs and other barriers. Caution is advised in interpreting these responses. A list of the 11 sources for the survey is included. (MES)

Three currently available technologies--telefacsimile, gateway software, and CD-ROM--are defined, and factors to be considered in selecting these technologies for use in public libraries are listed. Seven references are included. (MES)

Describes the advantages of optical data disk-based storage systems including cost, performance, and space required. Conversion from tape-based to optical disk-based data management via a flexible, hardware-based optical archiving system is discussed. (Author/LRW)

Representing the point of view of Philips Subsystems and Peripherals on Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) and Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-I) issues, this position paper attempts to point out differences and similarities between the basic CD-ROM standard and the CD-I standard proposed for interactive use of data. (Author/MBR)

The purpose of this paper is to assess the differences in university oceanography students' scientific writing. Specifically, the authors examine the argumentation structures of a high scoring paper and a low scoring paper. This study was conducted in an introductory level oceanography course in a large public university. In this course students…

This CD-ROM, designed for students in grades K-2, explores the world of weather. Students investigate weather to learn about climate and the seasons, how animals adapt to weather changes, how clouds tell us about conditions, and how weather plays a part in our everyday lives. The weather calendar lets students record and write about conditions…

This CD-ROM (for both MS-DOS and Windows) contains data from the 1993 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty (NSOPF) and all other available National Center for Education Statistics data analysis systems (DAS). The DAS is a menu-driven system that allows the user to produce frequencies, cross tabulations, and correlation matrices without access…