Discusses privacy concerns relating to electronic information media. European privacy initiatives from the European Community are described, including personal data protection, impact on the online industry, and telecommunications privacy; and activities in the United States are examined, including telephone caller privacy, electronic mail…

Describes the growing number of dictionaries available to reference librarians, discusses factors that have led to the need for more dictionaries, and provides buying guidelines to help in selection decisions. Electronic versions of various dictionaries are described, and a sidebar examines the "American Heritage Dictionary" revisions.…

This interview with Dr. Toshi Doi, director of the Sony Corporation, covers his work at Sony, the multimedia industry, industry cooperation, Sony compact disc products and formats, multimedia standards and pricing, multimedia formats, and the future of the industry. A diagram of computer companies and corresponding multimedia platforms is…

Presents an annotated bibliography of 33 reference items--including several CD-ROM products--published during 1991-92 that were recommended by librarians. Materials are listed in the following areas: general works; business, science, and technology; fine arts; history and genealogy; medicine and health; and social sciences and humanities. A…

Describes the following steps in CD-ROM production: (1) information base creation; (2) data preparation, conversion, and verification; and (3) indexing and premastering. Cost factors for each step and overall trends in CD-ROM production costs are also discussed. (three references) (EA)

Discusses studies of CD-ROM life span done by 3M and the Federal Special Interest Group for CD-ROM Application and Technology (SIGCAT) and concludes that CD-ROMs have long life spans. A table presents test results, and industry specifications for CD-ROM discs and drivers are examined. (EA)

Describes the WHDB (World Trade Database), an Austrian information service that provides worldwide commodity trade statistics. Results of a survey of available data sources that examined contents, user-friendliness, costs, retrieval language, service, and performance are presented; and online and CD-ROM databases are compared. (nine references)…

Describes new technology being developed by Eastman Kodak for storing 35mm color photos on compact disk (CD) and discusses its applications for desktop publishing. Benefits of photo CD and costs are examined, a proposed universal color standard that is an improved way to represent color digitally is explained, and software is discussed. (LRW)

Discussion of electronic books utilizing CD-ROM technology presents a taxonomy that contains 10 classes of electronic books. Development models, design techniques, and access stations are discussed; and several examples of electronic books, including encyclopedias, information dissemination/retrieval services, educational products, and a thesis…

Describes an image storage system for contract documentation in the Engineering Directorate of Thames Water Utilities (England) which uses optical disc storage and a relational database for indexing and retrieval of nearly 500,000 pages in compressed image format, and provides end user access through 7 workstations. Requirements, feasibility…

Defines "technostress" as the stress experienced by reference librarians who must constantly deal with the demands of new information technology and the changes they produce in the work place. Discussion includes suggested ways in which both organizations and individuals can work to reduce stress. (27 references) (LAE)

Describes the development of an American history book with interactive CD-ROM technology that includes text, pictures, graphs and charts, audio, and film. Topics discussed include the use of HyperCard software to link information; access to primary sources of information; greater student control over learning; and the concept of collaborative…

University Microfilms International (UMI) collects, creates, and preserves information from the fields of business, education, engineering, social science, and the popular media and makes it available in print and microform, as well as online, on CD-ROM, and on magnetic tape. The company also develops integrated information delivery systems. (KRN)

Reviews six computer programs designed to familiarize students with maps, geographical knowledge, and other subjects: (1) "ZipZapMap" (National Geographic Society); (2) "Earth Treks" (Magic Quest); (3) "Code: Europe" (Compu-Teach); (4) "Geography Search" (Tom Snyder Productions); (5) "Teacher First" (Jostens); and (6) "Discovering America"…

Discusses changes in the publishing industry resulting from digital electronic networks and optical storage technologies, and explains attributes of information products as types of value for both print and electronic contexts. Electronic products necessary for a shift from paper to electronic formats are identified, and legal issues are…