Explains NAPLPS (North American Presentation Layer Protocol Syntax), a graphic standard for the encoding of animated graphics, symbols as graphics, and text. Sources of information on NAPLPS are described, including shareware and other software; and use of NAPLPS on electronic bulletin board systems is discussed. (LRW)

Addresses the question of how to write computer programs using explicit knowledge and rules-based systems. Highlights include the knowledge representation tool; the knowledge base on programming; and results of experiments that tested the system. Appendices include the set of rules for the experimental knowledge base and details of two…

FlipPhr is a MicroSoft Windows application program that rearranges ("flips") phrases or other expressions in accordance with rules in a grammar. The flipping may be invoked with a single keystroke from within various Windows application programs that allow cutting and pasting of text. The user may modify the grammar to provide for…

Although presentation software enables visual enhancements such as 3-D and digital photographs, speakers must remember that the message is most important. Business educators should ensure that students have good speech skills and avoid overemphasizing technology. (SK)

Reports on difficulties that institutions of higher education are having with new integrated student-administration software systems being developed by PeopleSoft. Institutions have been reporting automation projects which are months behind schedule and budget overruns. The company has apologized and some institutions admit they share…

Describes how a software program for DOS/Windows manages a collection of pictures such as photographic slides, overheads, or computer images in one or more databases. Explains how it transforms image files to raw binary files that can then be displayed like flash cards, or as an animated series of images. (Author/LRW)

Considers the confusion of over 20 different kinds of graphics programs. Briefly distinguishes between some of the more popular graphics formats (Photoshop, TIFF, JPEG, GIF, PICT, and EPS), and describes the benefits and disadvantages of each in the context of journalism education. (SC)

Takes several goodness-of-fit statistics as measures of variable selection and develops backward elimination and forward selection procedures in exploratory factor analysis. A newly developed variable selection program, SEFA, can print several fit measures for a current model and models obtained by removing an internal variable or adding an…

Explains how software technology is helping to manage campus housing more efficiently by offering new features, greater flexibility, and more powerful reporting capabilities. Several examples of how universities used campus housing software are discussed. (GR)

In this study, the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) was used to program power calculations for multiple comparisons of two groups on "p" variables. Three programs were prepared to accommodate variations in the information that may be available to do the power analysis. (Author/SLD)

Explains how to create Web-enabled databases. Highlights include Inmagic's DB/Text WebPublisher product called DB/TextWorks; ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) drivers; Perl programming language; HTML coding; Structured Query Language (SQL); Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programming; and examples of HTML pages and Perl scripts. (LRW)

Examines the Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF), an innovation designed to make software programs interact and share information in order to reduce data entry redundancy in school administration. Several examples of SIF's use are illustrated. (GR)

Discusses the contributions to this special issue within an instructional design framework; examines three major trends that indicate a shift in focus; and concludes that software training is at an end since it is no longer fundamentally different from regular professional skills training. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the difficult choices facing campus officials as Microsoft pressures colleges to sign lease agreements for desktop software rather than continue to buy licenses; the new leasing option saves money in the short term but might limit choices later. (EV)

The Rasch Scaling Program (RSP) is a software package for applying the one-parameter logistic (Rasch) model to dichotomously scored item response data. RSP contains a thorough introduction to the Rasch model (1960, 1980) including explanations of the estimation methods and directions for running the program. (SLD)