Evaluates and compares three text-capable Windows-based multimedia CD-ROM authoring tools used by the publishing industry. Reviews product lines, hardware requirements, customer costs, screen designs, product uses, and product advantages and disadvantages. Examples of computer screen designs are displayed throughout the article, and a sidebar…

Reports on the second phase of a cognitive study of multimedia and its effects on sixth graders' learning that focused on the relationship among text, animation, and captions. Results show that a combination of text plus animation and captions resulted in greater recall, inference, and comprehension. (Author/LRW)

Examines issues involved in processing rush document delivery requests. Presents a survey of CD-ROM and online document delivery services; suggests in-house techniques to access documents; and reviews technological advancements made in document delivery. Sidebars present typical turnaround times for various document formats and typical document…

Presents a discussion of laser disk systems developed by different institutions to store and distribute information and visual images. Includes information on storage, preservation, and use in the classroom or for research. Evaluates image quality, storage capacity, and transmissibility. Urges use of the videodisk to organize information and…

The first of two articles on multiuser access to CD-ROM databases examines options that do not involve a local area network (LAN). Hardware and software requirements, advantages, and disadvantages for several alternatives are described. A product and company directory is included. (MES)

Reviews student use of electronic searching tools and the effect of software changes on user satisfaction and success. Discusses the results of two surveys of InfoTrac users before and after software changes at Northern Illinois University, and proposes three strategies systems developers can take to balance the differing needs of sophisticated…

Argues that the prevalence of computer searching in the academic library has redefined bibliographic instruction and that hands-on instruction in a computer classroom or laboratory setting addresses student needs better than lecture demonstrations. Calls for librarians to actively seek out hands-on opportunities and to keep communication lines…

Describes the required hardware, software, and configuration of the local area network for information sources and CD-ROMS in the medical libraries at Erasmus University, Rotterdam. Problems encountered with microcomputer diversity, memory requirements, device drivers, and Microsoft Extension software are related; and the network's future growth…

Describes a study at the California State University at Chico library that was conducted to determine the success of the ERIC database on CD-ROM as a retrieval tool. The results of user interviews are summarized, surveys of reference librarians are reviewed, and cost considerations are examined. (three references) (LRW)

Discusses CD-ROM searching at the University of Charleston; reports the results of a user survey that was conducted to evaluate use of the CD-ROM databases; and describes the design and development of a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program that explains the basics of searching, retrieving, and printing records using SilverPlatter. (LRW)

Traces the development of database production and the online industry in Australia, focusing on recent trends, problems and prospects for future online and CD-ROM use. Argues that new pricing arrangements can provide growth in a market fragmented by increases in specialization and government information, and in numbers of vendors, databases, end…

Provides detailed instructions for setting up general purpose CD-ROM workstations using IBM compatible microcomputers and tells how to make CD-ROM disks available to the general user. Use of standardized hardware and software, utility programs, DOS batch files, a shell program, and a hypertext program at the University of Idaho Library are…

Describes the advantages and disadvantages of using CD-ROM in the school library media center. Complaints about hardware, software, user problems, staffing, and funding reported by 67 library media specialists responding to a survey are included; and 15 steps for implementing CD-ROM technology are provided. (KRN)

Provides an overview of computer-based training and education in Australia. Highlights include elementary and secondary schools; computer hardware; learning tools, including educational games and CD-ROMs; tertiary education, including Institutes of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and universities; the Australian workforce, including…

Discusses CD-ROM and its implications for student research, student interactivity, and student production in the school library media center. Highlights include CD-ROM reference sources; the top 10 CD-ROM titles; CD-ROM storybooks and student productions; and other CD-ROM production possibilities and future plans. (Contains 21 references.) (LRW)