Summarizes three phases of a research project on the educational benefits of multimedia, especially the role of animation or still imagery in enhancing text. Results indicate that animation did not help sixth graders to improve their recall, but it may be beneficial for their comprehension. (JKP)

Describes a national project to unite businesses and community colleges in the production of CD-ROM instructional materials for 22 workplace competencies in 16 modules. Indicates that the program is currently in the "proof of concept" phase, in which 5 community colleges are creating technology-based teaching modules for 9 competencies and…

Describes three companies' approaches to marketing and selling CD-ROM products on the World Wide Web. Benefits include low overhead for Internet-based sales, allowance for creativity, and ability to let customers preview products online. Discusses advertising, information delivery, content, information services, and security. (AEF)

Addresses issues to consider when upgrading library CD-ROM networks for multimedia applications. Topics includes security issues; workstation requirements such as soundboards and monitors; local area network configurations that avoid bottlenecks: Asynchronous Transfer Mode, Ethernet, and Integrated Services Digital Network; server performance…

Discusses the integration of CD-ROMs with online service producers. Highlights include publishing; LucasFilm's Habitat project; programs through Prodigy, CompuServe, America Online, and Philips Media; hybrid links to Internet sites; multiplayer games; virtual chat with avatars; and problems, including CD-ROM's slowness, download time, storage…

Reports results of a survey of depository libraries that gathered information on which CD-ROM databases distributed by the Government Printing Office are received and public access to these databases. Addresses and details of equipment used for public access for the 41 responding libraries are provided, and a list of selected databases is…

Discusses Big Hand Productions' development of CD-I-WORLD, an interactive multimedia magazine on compact disk, designed for mass appeal and complete with advertising. Features of MediaMogul, the prepackaged authoring software that made production of this innovation possible, are described. Sample screen displays are included. (EA)

The effects of CD-ROM networking on system response time was studied at McGill University using WilsonDisc, Dialog OnDisc, and Silver Platter. Using a 10-station local area network, response times were measured for searches using index terms, truncation, and the Boolean "and." Results show that increased numbers of users increased…

Discusses the role of academic libraries in the face of rising costs and suggests implications for library policymaking. The nature and value of information are considered; pricing issues for serials, CD-ROM products, and online searching are described; and possible solutions are offered. (26 references) (LRW)

Provides an overview of CD-ROM networks. Highlights include network technology, including local area networks; an example of an installation at the South Bank Polytechnic (United Kingdom) library; interface issues, including standardization; possible future developments; licensing arrangements; and acquiring data in formats other than CD-ROM.…

Outlines the process of a CD-ROM desktop publishing project at Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Highlights include the planning process; data generation and database development; data preparation, including data conversion and indexing; full text retrieval; assembly and production; and distribution. (three…

Proposes an infrastructure to provide organizationwide access in a large university to government statistical databases issued on CD-ROM. Topics addressed include characteristics of government numeric data on CD-ROM, networked options, desired characteristics of networked CD-ROM access, hardware and network configurations, a prototype system, and…

Reviews trends in copyright law, including changes resulting from technological advances that include audio and video tape recordings, motion pictures, photocopying equipment, CD-ROM, and multimedia; amendments to the law, including administrative issues; compensation to authors of computer software programs; court cases; and a movement toward…

This issue of "The Electronic School" features a special forum on computer networking. Articles specifically focus on network operating systems, cabling requirements, and network architecture. Tom Wall argues that virtual reality is not yet ready for classroom use. B.J. Novitsky profiles two high schools experimenting with CD-ROM…

Presents selection and design considerations to help libraries make informed decisions about hardware configurations of CD-ROM systems. Highlights include CD-ROM configurations, including single drive workstations, daisychains, and jukeboxes; network configurations, including remote access; microcomputer features; CD-ROM drive selection; and…