A common command language has been proposed for use by systems designers and those developing new user interfaces. There is controversy over the appropriateness of a standard command language, and those who are working in artificial intelligence believe that natural language interfaces will make it unnecessary for users to learn such a language,…

The first of two articles discusses virtual reality (VR) and online databases; the second one reports on an interview with Thomas A. Furness III, who defines VR and explains work at the Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HIT). Sidebars contain a glossary of VR terms and a conversation with Toni Emerson, the HIT lab's librarian. (LRW)

Describes the uses of Lotus 1-2-3 (a spreadsheet-graphics-database program created by Lotus Development Corporation) and Symphony 1.1 (a refinement and expansion of Symphony 1.01 providing memory efficiency, speed, ease of use, greater file compatibility). Spreadsheet and graphics capabilities, the use of windows, database environment, and…

Discusses proposals for more standardized practices in CD-ROM development, sales, and distribution. Topics discussed include availability of trial copies; pricing policies; installation, including software, instructions, and compatibility; interface procedures; manuals; and vendor support services. A sidebar discusses proposals being addressed by…

In this second of two installments, a discussion of role of information science (IS) in numerical databases (NDBs) and vice versa highlights two elements of IS needed to develop NDBs: technical (hardware, software, artificial intelligence, degree of database reliability); social (man-machine interface, social infrastructure). Research requirements…

This review of the research on subject access to library collections focuses on the problems of and prospects for improved online subject access to library collections. Summaries of the general findings of studies on library catalog use and catalog users and some reasons for the frequent failure of subject searches in library catalogs are followed…

Proposes a single underlying structure for the production of a variety of computer index displays, using a networking system which represents both concepts and links by nodes. Desirable characteristics of index displays are outlined, and algorithmic extraction of subnetworks for local use is discussed. References are included. (Author/BK)

Describes the successful use of online database systems by the Library Services Division, Center for the Study of Youth Development at Boys Town for answering specific, limited reference questions; and identifies system use in acquisitions, interlibrary loan verification, name/address verification, and identification of persons, groups, or…

Discussion of users and information retrieval systems highlights a study that investigated the representation of users' knowledge by examining their names for objects and concepts, agreement on names, the Library of Congress Subject Headings representation for similar objects and concepts, and measurement of the similarity between these…

Four information retrieval packages that run on single user microcomputers--CAIRS, INMAGIC, Sci-Mate, SIRE--are examined based on following criteria: storage requirements; hardware requirements; search features (Boolean logic, comparison searching, set building, truncation, and wild card characters); system output; security; system maintenance…

This discussion of educational applications of user interfaces covers the benefits of adopting database techniques in organizing multimedia materials; the evolution of user interface technology, including teletype interfaces, analogic overlay graphics, window interfaces, and adaptive systems; application design problems, including the…

Brief description of videotex systems is followed by recommendations for the design of database structure, command language, and screen format. How users search through the database is described and evaluations of the underlying tree structure are reviewed. Information sources on other aspects of videotex besides usability are listed. (MBR)

Discusses the design of interfaces for online systems and suggests requirements that must be met to offer maximum aid to inexperienced users. Highlights include the online search process, user data, query processing, database descriptors, semantic links, multilingual processing, search strategies, and distributed systems. A 20-page bibliography…

Summarizes four options for libraries that want to offer end user searching: end user systems (Bibliographic Retrieval Service's Afterdark, DIALOG's Knowledge Index); front-end microcomputer software (Sci-Mate Searcher, Pro-Search, WILSEARCH); gateway services (EASYNET); and local databases (now available on floppy and compact discs). Advantages…

Discussion of information services at Clemson University libraries focuses on managerial, cost, and behavioral issues that arose during the process of developing online access to information. Extending the online catalog with commercial databases and locally generated files is described, cost and benefit tradeoffs are considered, and student and…