Describes the characteristics of System Development Corporation's (SDC) online index to its database, "Database Index," and presents the results of various test searches to demonstrate the limitations and benefits of the new online file. (JD)

Describes the free advisory service available to both users and potential users of chemical and biological databases in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Three specific areas are discussed in which queries about Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Numbers have been received: isomers, replacing registry numbers, and mixed compounds. (JD)

Describes the online version of the Philosopher's Index: coverage, indexing policies, search strategies, and other aspects of its use on the DIALOG system. Included are several search samples. (JD)

SEQUEL, a programing language designed for use in database management systems, is shown to be useful in document retrieval systems. Its retrieval capabilities are detailed, some disadvantages noted, and possible additional features are suggested. (FM)

Provides a directory of online databases available as of October 1979. Scope, vendor, update frequency, and user charges are included. (RAA)

Describes the Stanford Computer Archive of Language Materials (CALM), a computerized archive of language materials available for use by researchers. (DD)

Discusses particular problems and possible solutions in searching the Psychological Abstracts database, with special reference to its loading on BRS. Included are examples of typical searches, citations (with or without abstract/annotation), a tabulated searchguide to Psychological Abstracts on BRS and specifications for the database. (Author/JD)

Describes Utopia2002, a database that contains learning objects that enables faculty to design and develop interactive Web-based instruction. Topics include advanced distributed learning; sharable content objects (SCOs) and sharable content object reference model (SCORM); instructional systems design process; templates; and quality assurance. (LRW)

Examined the knowledge used by motel office personnel to manipulate computer software for everyday tasks. Results suggest that many of the competencies identified were context-specific, and that it may not be possible to apply generic knowledge if the user cannot relate it to the context. (SLD)

Elsevier, the largest publisher of scientific journals, has removed journal articles from its database, often without providing reasons. The usual reason for removing an article is fear of copyright litigation, but critics of the policy fear that information gaps or misleading lack of data will develop. (SLD)

This issue presents selected papers from a World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/EURO) consultation (Munich, West Germany, May 8-10, 1989) which explored the creation of a metadatabase for European environmental health information systems (EEHIS). Topics discussed include environmental monitoring programs, environmental…

Describes the object-oriented paradigm (modeling a system by the objects that constitute it and the class relationships between objects) and presents examples of its application to automated library systems, including a model of a hierarchical and relational bibliographic database. Advantages and disadvantages of the paradigm for information…

Examines factors that determine user charges based on query processing costs in numeric databases, and analyzes the problem of estimating such charges in advance. An approach to query cost estimation is presented which is based on the relational data model and the query optimization, cardinality estimation, and file design techniques developed in…

Describes the Theory Into Practice (TIP) project that involved the development of a hypertext database for theories of learning and instruction for three different hypermedia systems: Hyperties on the PC, HyperCard on the Macintosh, and the World Wide Web on the Internet. (Author/LRW)

Relates how hypertext/hypermedia computer-based training and online help was designed for the General Estimates System (GES). Describes how this hypermedia application accomplishes the goal of improving the quality of the data entered in the GES database. (SR)