Five categories of microcomputer software for information storage and retrieval (ISR) are distinguished and characterized: classical retrieval systems; end-user software; indexing programs; full-text retrieval programs; and personal information managers. In addition, the special retrieval techniques of hypertext and best-matched searching are…

Investigates the manipulation of large sets of two-dimensional data representing multiple overlapping features, and presents a new access method, the MOF-tree. Analyzes storage requirements and time with respect to window query operations involving multiple features. Examines both the pointer-based and pointerless MOF-tree representations.…

Describes some of the problems in documentation work rising from the habit of detaching information from any physical support, as a prevailing notion in an electronic environment. Points to the necessity of regarding information as something closely connected with preservation. Suggests a clearer distinction in information science between…

Recent innovations in information technology have met, and in many cases, exceeded all but the most utopian visions for increasing access to research materials. Although the costs of the technology are high and the risks of losing access to digital information in the future because of hardware and software obsolescence are now widely recognized,…

This learning module, one in a series developed in a project on "Technology and the Liberal Arts," is an introduction to emerging technological developments for information storage. A historical sketch is provided of text technologies leading up to widespread use of the typewriter toward the end of the 19th century. This is followed by an analysis…

Survey of the history and current development of information technology covers hardware (economies of scale, communications technology, magnetic and optical forms of storage), and the evolution of systems software ("tool" software, applications software, and nonprocedural languages). The effect of new computer technologies on human…

Potential problems for college and university computing functions posed by arrival of the year 2000 (Y2K) are discussed, including arithmetic calculations and sorting functions based on two-digit year dates, embedding of two-digit dates in archival data, system coordination for data exchange, unique number generation, and leap year calculations. A…

Lists information storage and retrieval devices as a representation of improvements and changes throughout the past several millennia. Examines characteristics of past and present devices and identifies those characteristics that are important for carrying into the future. Discusses implications for information centers striving to provide…

Discusses a pilot project by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to apply optical disk technology to the storage and retrieval of documents related to its high level waste management program. Components and features of the microcomputer-based system which provides full-text and image access to documents are described. A sample search is included.…

This paper advocates a strategy of "full informational capture" to ensure that digital objects rich enough to be useful over time are created in the most cost-effective manner. Digital benchmarking is a systematic procedure to forecast a likely outcome. The benchmarking approach can be applied across the full continuum of the…

Describes the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC). Identifies the reasons consortia and vendors might want to engage in collaborative licensing ventures; describes the process used in the CIC for coordinating the acquisitions and licensing of these resources; and discusses problems encountered. Includes guidelines for collaborative…

Discusses work done by information professionals and the increase in teleworking, using telecommunications technology; considers teleworkers' information needs; examines ways in which library and information science professionals can facilitate teleworkers' information access; and investigates information environments of 20 teleworkers and 20…

Discusses the current status of 4 developments that will determine the emergence of generally available multimedia information services: high-bandwidth networks; inexpensive user appliances capable of handling multimedia; adoption of standards for representation, compression, packaging, and transmission; and development of a corpus of multimedia…

Describes new information processing developments and end-user products from 18 companies. Applications include optical storage and imaging devices, document management software, and automated business and data processing systems. Developments include flat-screen images, affordable image item processing, digital writing technology, and a federal…

Discussion of CD (compact disc) recorders describes recording applications, including storing large graphic files, creating audio CDs, and storing material downloaded from the Internet; backing up files; lifespan; CD recording formats; continuous recording; recording software; recorder media; vulnerability of CDs; basic computer requirements; and…