Discusses library applications of several specific CD-ROM products, including library catalogs, book reviews, databases, encyclopedias, and interactive video programs. Such factors as cost effectiveness, ease of use, and user satisfaction are discussed, and a bibliography of books about CD-ROM is provided. (CLB)

Discussion of issues surrounding the microcomputer's capability to download online search results covers types of downloading; scope of downloading; legal issues (copyright and database contract provisions and policies); and effects of downloading (widespread pricing changes, and provision of database subsets by database producers). (MBR)

Developments in the representation of music, in notated and acoustic forms, in computerized databases suggest a need for nontext searching. Examines aspects of music notation and sound and reviews literature concerned with basic considerations of musical document representation; systems for encoding music for storage, regeneration, and analysis;…

Explores the requirements of archival information systems, as compared to existing library information systems, and suggests ways in which information technology may be used to create systems that accommodate both areas. (CLB)

Summarizes the growth of databases, including major milestones, issues, and trends of the past 20 years, during which time the database/online industry had become a large and thriving segment of the information industry. A time line overview of database developments from 1951 to 1985 is appended. (42 references) (EJS)

Uses the different search environments of information brokers and institutional searchers to illustrate the factors that should be considered when selecting microcomputers for search operations. The factors discussed include speed, storage capabilities, displays, modems, printing technologies, facsimile transmission, and portability. A directory…

Reviews the development of technological innovations in information delivery, including microforms, electronic processing, online distribution, full-text abstracts online, floppy disks, downloading, vertical integration, electronic publishing, and optical disks. The impact of technology on the information industry and the need to use technology…

Reviews the current status of electronic archiving, especially in Great Britain and the United States, including current use of various electronic storage media; advantages and utilizations of optical disk technology; trends toward full-text databases and increased videotex use; growing quantity of electronic information; and problems in archiving…

Addresses problems with automated bibliographic and full-text storage of scientific articles. The role of the scientific article is described, the structure is explained, current indexing and information retrieval techniques are criticized, new possibilities using a rhetoric syntax or argumentational syntax are explored, and the use of hypertext…

This review of the literature on full-text databases provides information on search strategy, performance measurement, and the benefits and limitations of full text compared to bibliographic database searching. Various use studies and uses of full-text databases are also listed. (21 references) (LAE)

Reviews reasons why electronic journals have not replaced printed materials, and describes ways in which new technologies such as online searching, full text databases, facsimile transmission, optical disk, and other electronic storage methods are offering alternative methods of access to printed journals. Future technological developments and…

This special feature focuses on recent developments in optical disk technology. Nine articles discuss current trends, large scale image processing, data structures for optical disks, the use of computer simulators to create optical disks, videodisk use in training, interactive audio video systems, impacts on federal information policy, and…