Presents the architecture and algorithms behind Matchsimile, an approximate string matching lookup tool designed for extracting person and company names from large texts. Highlights include name formation rules, defining the search problem, system architecture, recognizing pattern words, recognizing whole patterns, and performance. (Author/MES)

Discusses the need for people with object-oriented (OO) skills, explains benefits of OO in software development, and addresses some of the difficulties in teaching OO. Topics include the evolution of programming languages; differences between OO and traditional approaches; differences from data modeling; and Unified Modeling Language (UML) and…

Compares textbook software with professional packages such as Peachtree for teaching accounting, in terms of cost, availability, ease of teaching and learning, and applicability. Makes suggestions for choosing accounting software. (SK)

Describes how many companies are cutting back on once-generous software donations to cash-strapped colleges, and are seeking quid pro quos when they do give. (EV)

Exposes difficulties encountered when using interactive geometry software to teach the methodology of proofwriting (observing, conjecturing, and proving) in secondary geometry courses. (Author/NB)

Describes how to modify old QBASIC programs to run in visual Basic. (NB)

Describes how a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), a centralized maintenance operations database that facilitates work order procedures and staff directives, can help individual school campuses and school districts to manage maintenance. Presents the benefits of CMMS and things to consider in CMMS selection. (EV)

Offers a descriptive table of databases that help higher education institutions orchestrate advancement operations. Information includes vendor, contact, software, price, database engine/server platform, recommended reporting tools, record capacity, and client type. (EV)

Describes how Cleveland State University implemented a strategy that includes a standard, support, and training for use of personal digital assistants (PDAs). Explains how this has helped put the campus in control of how the technology is used in the enterprise. (EV)

Ten ways to evaluate new software product ideas are presented, such as talking with computer user groups and advertising the product before development to determine consumer interest. Ten methods for generating new product ideas are also offered, including reading material on the fringe of one's work and soliciting opinions of potential clients.…

I. Olkin and J. W. Pratt (1958) derived the minimum variance unbiased estimator of intraclass correlation, but use of the estimator has been impeded by lack of a closed form solution. The unbiased estimator is reviewed, and a FORTRAN-77 subroutine (UNBIAS) is proposed to calculate the estimator. (SLD)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using dBASE for the storage and retrieval of downloaded bibliographic records, and the problems involved in importing data downloaded from various online systems into dBASE. ASCIIREF, a software program developed to allow users to easily reformat just about any file of ASCII bibliographic records into…

Describes two methods to increase the speed of printing on microcomputers: (1) buffers, which are external storage devices used to temporarily store data bound for the printer; and (2) spoolers, which are software programs used to capture printer output and send it to the computer's memory or to a disk file. (LRW)

Sixteen articles discuss the library/subscription agency relationship and changes brought about by automation in the United States. The work of the agency as publisher and in other exceptional areas is also described, and relevant activities in Great Britain, the Middle East, and Nigeria are considered. A selected bibliography on automated…

Reviews five CD-ROM catalogs: (1) Auto-Graphics Impact; (2) Brodart LePac; (3) GRC LaserGuide; (4) Library Corporation Intelligent Catalog; and (5) MARCIVE Pac. General guidelines for selecting a CD-ROM catalog are discussed, and vendor addresses and telephone numbers are listed. (MES)