A Vanderbilt University (Tennessee) junior has organized 500 young people into a group, Peacefire, that opposes public schools' and libraries' use of software to block access to some sexually explicit portions of the Internet. He feels the software is too restrictive, also blocking access to important sources of information about women's issues,…

Use of nutrition information networks (consumer market, media, authority, family, and high school classes), food choices, fat practices, and nutrient intake were rated by 179 male and 300 female undergraduates. Family was an important influence; media and consumer market influenced fat practices, especially for women. No source was used very…

Explores the use of linear models and a combination of neural networks and linear classifiers to create a hybrid hierarchical mixture of experts (HME) model. Results confirm that using the hierarchical structure of the classification vocabulary improves categorization performance. (AEF)

Considers the effectiveness of information and information theory as tools in the war against terrorism following the September 11 attacks, as well as the legal and political authority for their covert use. Topics include understanding the elements of an information network; and using organizational theory to disrupt the target information…

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 combination of the nascent National Education and Research Network and new imaging technology that could turn data into books in minutes would irreversibly change scholarly publishing. The Coalition for Networked Information is working to remove scholarly publishing from the commercial publishing industry. (MSE)

Surveys new developments in legal bibliographical documentation. Traces the development of database systems. Discusses the addition of personal computing to traditional information retrieval systems and the problems that this creates. Examines the most recent methods of information dissemination--the CD-ROM and Hypertext systems. (RW)

Describes the use of communications satellites for university courses in distance education. Projects described include the Pan Pacific Education and Communication Experiments by Satellite (PEACESAT); the Appalachian Education Satellite Project (AESP); The Learning Channel (TLC); the International University Consortium (IUC); National…

Linking individual computers is an economical way to multiply their power and effectiveness. Guidelines for those considering networking as well as guidelines to follow during a network assessment are listed. (SI)

Third World countries need to produce permanent leadership talent from their own citizens instead of leasing temporary talent from outside sources. This paper describes the low cultural self-image which creates reluctance to support gifted education. A model program is proposed, calling for establishment of a network for exchanging information and…

Proposes an information retrieval system based on a hybrid model consisting of an inductive learning and neural network system. Evaluates the system's responses to incomplete queries and inconsistent indexing. Query terms, discriminant descriptors, and the American Documentation Institute's query and document titles used in the evaluation are…

Describes the Electronic Information Network, a project created by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in conjunction with public libraries in Pennsylvania's Allegheny County. The project uses the library's vision, funding, and librarian expertise to provide public access to community information on the Internet. Sidebars present steps and issues…

Describes plans by the Council of Great Lakes Governors, which includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio, to develop an information highway linking state governments, computer and research networks, telecommunications providers, and universities. Highlights include the Internet,…

Provides a description of present and proposed plans and strategies of OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) and their relationship to electronic publishing. FirstSearch (end-user access to secondary information), GUIDON (electronic journals online) and FastDoc (document delivery) are emphasized. (JKP)

Examines the transition from traditional single database retrieval to the emerging networked resources retrieval, and presents research and experimental solutions developed at the University of California, Berkeley. Highlights include recall and relevance, network navigation, vocabulary, and extending retrieval records. (LRW)