Reviews and compares the following nine laptop computers, focusing on their capabilities for multimedia presentations: Apple Macintosh PowerBook G3, Chem USA ChemBook 9780, Compaq Armada 7792DMT, Dell Inspiron 3000 mZ66xT, Hewlett-Packard OmniBook 3000CTX, IBM ThinkPad 770, Micro Express NP8233MMX, NEC Versa 6260, and Panasonic CF-63. Evaluation…

A switch to free open source software can minimize cost and allow funding to be diverted to equipment and other programs. For instance, the OpenOffice suite is an alternative to expensive basic application programs offered by major vendors. Many such programs on the market offer features seldom used in education but for which educators must pay.…

How can the average educator who teaches online, without experience in evaluating emerging technologies, build on what is successful and modify what is not? Written for educators who feel ill-prepared when required to evaluate e-learning initiatives, "Evaluating e-Learning" offers step-by-step guidance for conducting an evaluation plan of…

This case study examined the educational software evaluation processes of pre-service teachers who attended either expertise-based training (XBT) or traditional training in conjunction with a Software-Evaluation checklist. Forty-three mathematics teacher candidates and three experts participated in the study. All participants evaluated educational…

Provides an overview of the technology-integration process for K-12 schools. Discusses the practical implications for implementing technology, and the importance of focusing the planning process and providing staff development. Presents software and hardware issues, and reviews studies related to the implementation and use of technology. (AEF)

Describes efforts at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) to digitize their legacy collection of scientific and technical reports to make them available via the Web and CD discs. Topics include a grant from the Illinois State Library for funding, hardware and software, scanning documents, CD-ROM recording and organization, and…

Explains South Dakota's Connecting the Schools project that distributed hardware and software for K-12 schools, as well as provided training; developed the Digital Dakota Network (DDN), a high-speed statewide telecommunications network that provides data and video services to educational and governmental communities and helps with network design;…

Portals have become indispensable for organizations of all types trying to establish themselves on the Web. Unfortunately, there have only been a few evaluative studies of portal software and even fewer of open source portal software. This study aims to add to the available literature in this important area by proposing and testing a checklist for…

Conventional and hosted applications thrive, but open source ERP (enterprise resource planning) is coming on strong. In many ways, the evolution of the ERP market is littered with ironies. When Oracle began buying up customer relationship management (CRM) and ERP companies, some universities worried that they would be left with fewer choices and…

Identifies sources of technological stress for public services librarians and patrons and proposes ways to reduce stress, including communicating with staff, implementing a system gradually, providing adequate training, creating proper documentation, planning, considering ergonomics in hardware and software selection, selecting a good interface,…

A computer expert describes two stand-alone, multimedia CD-ROM computer systems suitable for school and public libraries: a budget version for less than $2000 and a power version for about $3000. Recommends specific personal computer models, monitors, operating systems, processors, RAM (random access memory), hard drives, video subsystems, CD-ROM…

Explains how to decide what type of computer to buy for a small academic library, based on software requirements, staff and patron use, and PC technology. Topics include the central processing unit; types of memory; storage devices; ports; multimedia capabilities; modems; operating systems; and monitors. (LRW)

Describes a project at the National Library of Medicine that investigated the development of an expert system to assist catalogers with personal name authority work. Topics include project planning; software and hardware selection; knowledge engineering; and reasons for discontinuing the development of the expert system. (three references) (LRW)

This first in a five-part series of articles that form the basis for a professional development course on the impact of technology on classroom curriculum focuses on obstacles faced by teachers in bringing technology into the classroom and strategies to overcome them. Multimedia instruction, hypermedia, and computer networking are discussed. (LRW)

Describes the use of a barcode reader, rather than a computer, to control an interactive videodisc for presentations and self-paced tutorials. Highlights include hardware and software used; remote and direct communication; a HyperCard-based program to make barcodes; and converting an existing program. (LRW)