Discussion of electronic mail messages processing focuses on threads, which are conversations among two or more people carried out by exchange of messages. Suggests that effective threading systems should rely on conventions in human communication rather than on software communication, and shows that information retrieval techniques can be used…

Discusses copyright considerations in multimedia development, and provides a checklist for teachers and students based on the United States House of Representative's "Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia" (1996) and the Association for Computing Machinery's "Interim Copyright Policies." Describes three copyright use…

Describes LEARN, a software system for computer assisted foreign language vocabulary acquisition. Notes that the system processes English unrestricted text by translating selected English words in it into foreign words before presenting the text to the student. Points out that the natural path for the system's future is to add more languages. (23…

This annual compilation is designed as a resource for access to products (hardware and software) and services related to library automation and information storage. Sections include products and services by category, vendor, and brand name; and addresses of companies and consultants. (PEN)

Explains how to improve visual displays employed in school finance by examining a theoretical framework and applying it to the displays. Discusses and illustrates important display principles based on William Cleveland's ideas about decoding/encoding, length judgments, distance, detection, and superimposed curves; and Edward Tufte's work on data…

Explains Web search agents as tools that apply intelligent agent software technology for the purpose of automating, improving, and speeding up online search operations. Topics include intelligent desktop agents; search agent marketplace; comparing Web search agents; subjective evaluations; and use by researchers. (LRW)

This article describes a setup smart access card that enables users with visual impairments to customize magnifiers and screen readers on computers by loading the floppy disk into the computer and finding and pressing two successive keys. A trial with four elderly users found instruction took about 15 minutes. (Contains 3 references.) (CR)

Describes an assignment for an introductory computer science class that requires the student to write a software program that simulates an automated teller machine. Highlights include an algorithm for the assignment; sample file contents; language features used; assignment variations; and discussion points. (LRW)

Describes a three-phase process model for interface design, drawing on practices developed in the software industry and adapting them for computer-based languages tests. Describes good practice in initial design, emphasizes the importance of usability testing, and argues that only through following a principled approach to interface design can the…

Reports the results of an evaluation of Distance Interactive Learning in Obstetrics and Gynecology (DIALOG) which is an electronic program for continuing education. Presents 10 golden rules for designing software for medical practitioners. (Contains 26 references.) (Author/YDS)

Discusses qualitatively enhanced access to data collections, requiring a more meaningful interface which endows the users with personal agents that are adaptable to the users' individual retrieval preferences. Users are given recommendations derived from best practice in information search processes to perform successful retrieval activities via…

Discusses how to use technology to enhance literacy skills. Highlights include defining literacy, including information literacy; research to support reading and writing instruction; literacy software; thinking skills; organizational strategies for writing and reading; how technology can individualize literacy instruction; and a new genre of…

Offers an overview of the acceptance and use of handheld personal computing devices on campus that connect wirelessly to the campus network. Considers access; present and future software applications; uses in medial education; faculty training needs; and wireless technology issues. (Author/LRW)

Proposes the use of a special purpose drop-in firewall/VPN gateway called Sieve, that can be inserted between the mobile workstation and the network to provide individualized security services for that particular station. Discusses features and advantages of the system and demonstrates how Sieve was used in various application areas such as at…

The advent of powerful, affordable output devices offers the potential for a vastly expanded landscape of computationally-enriched mathematical craft activities in education. Craft activities have both intellectual and emotional affordances that are relatively lacking in "traditional" computer-based education. Describes three software applications…