_Current_Cites_ Volume 4, no. 2 February 1993 Library Technology Watch Program The Library University of California, Berkeley Edited by David F.W. Robison ISSN: 1060-2356 Contributors: Teri Rinne, Vivienne Roumani, Lisa Rowlison, Mark Takaro, Roy Tennant --------------------------------------------------------------------- Electronic Publishing EDUCOM Review. "Establishment of the GPO WINDO/Gateway: An Interview: EDUCOM Review Speaks with William H. Grave and Richard West." EDUCOM Review 28(1) (January/February 1993):43-46. Graves and West present their views on the best way for the Government Printing Office (GPO) to be sure that there is some method at work as more and more government data is published electronically. The GPO needn't be the publisher, but should act as a coordinator, require standards of usage (e.g., Z39.50) and access for publishers of public information, and maintain a directory of public information databases. - DR Hyper- and Multimedia Davis, Ben. "Looking and Learning Through Computers" EDUCOM Review 28(1) (January/February 1993):20-25. MIT's Center for Educational Computing Initiatives (CECI) is following up on the work of Project Athena's Visual Computing Group with a number of interesting projects for delivery of multimedia services to educational users. In addition to pursuing large- scale development of platform, services and multimedia implementations, CECI and the AthenaMuse Software Consortium (AMSC) are developing specific projects in media literacy, online documentation, a visual archive, and several social sciences fields. - MT FitzGerald, Michael and Henry Olsen. "Genesis of a Multimedia Social Sciences Curriculum" EDUCOM Review 28(1) (January/ February 1993):36-41. As part of the CUNY projects described below by Wagner and Picciano, the Medgar Evers College received grants to fund multimedia courseware in the social sciences, producing works in sociological theory, black history, women's studies and psychology. The grant process, hardware and software selection, and the specific projects themselves are described in detail. - MT Flanders, Bruce. "Hypertext Multimedia Software: Bell Atlantic DocuSource" Computers in Libraries 13(1) (January 1993):35-39. Flanders provides a thorough description of Bell Atlantic's DocuSource system which provides online text and image management for large volumes of information. A wedding of OWL International's multimedia technologies with text conversion software from Avalanche and Bell Atlantic's own graphical interface, full-text searching and other capabilities make up the DocuSource system which can operate as a stand-alone system or run on a LAN. Several projects that were submitted as part of a "DocuSource Use in Education" contest are described and the features of the system are detailed as well. - MT Heid, Jim. "Sound Advice" Macworld 10(3) (March 1993):118-123. As part of Macworld's Special Multimedia Guide, this article addresses the incorporation of sound into multimedia presentations. Several products are evaluated and tips offered in recording, editing, saving and employing sound files. Enhancements to off-the-shelf hardware are suggested for those who seek professional quality results. - MT Morgan, Eric Lease. "Implementing TCP/IP Communications with HyperCard" Information Technology and Libraries 11(4) (December 1992):421-432. In this tutorial, Morgan describes two HyperCard stacks that will assist the Macintosh user in using networked information resources. Mini-Atlas automates the process for accessing the Geographic Name Server and stores the retrieved data in records that can be further manipulated on the local terminal. The ListManager allows users to search LISTSERV archives with ease and to perform other LISTSERV operations. Appendices include the HyperTalk scripts for these stacks, which can be modified to suit other networked information resource activities. - MT Nordgren, Layne. "Evaluating Multimedia CD-ROM Discware: Of Bells, Whistles and Value" CD-ROM Professional 6(1) (January 1993):99-105. A number of useful criteria for the evaluation of multimedia platforms and products are discussed in this article which ties the review of multimedia to other software reviews. A survey of review methodologies for similar materials contributes to the author's work in this area and a strategy for proceeding in an organized way through the process of evaluating multimedia products will prove helpful to those responsible for the selection of multimedia information sources in a library. - MT Schaller, Anne. "Multimedia: A Glossary" CD-ROM Professional 6(1) (January 1993):106-111. From ADPCM to YUV color system, this glossary from Intel includes a great deal of information about multimedia concepts. A short bibliography of sources used in compiling the work is included. This glossary is likely to be very useful when trying to evaluate systems based on vendor literature. - MT Sheng, Samuel, Anantha Chandrakasan, and R. W. Brodersen "A Portable Multimedia Terminal" IEEE Communications Magazine 30(12) (December 1992):64-75. A technical paper on the capabilities that will be expected of portable multimedia machine, this paper provides an exciting look at what may be just around the corner for portables. The terminals should access large commercial data services and digital video services, provide for pen or voice input and will support distributed computing through a system like X- Windows. Critical elements will be the wireless link for communications and a further reduction in size and weight with a concurrent increase in battery longevity. - MT Soloway, Elliot, Mark Guzdial, and Kenneth E. Hay. "Reading and Writing in the 21st Century" EDUCOM Review 28(1) (January/ February 1993):26-29. An exciting future lies ahead for the integration of images, sounds and animation along with text for scholarly publication. A University of Michigan multimedia document processor, MediaText, allows students to create interactive documents incorporating multimedia with ease. The challenge of making multimedia authoring a seamless part of scholarly research seems well in hand with projects of this kind. - MT Wagner, Collete A. and Anthony G. Picciano. "The View From Within" EDUCOM Review 28(1) (January/February 1993):30-35. Wagner and Picciano detail two perspectives on the development of multimedia courseware emerging from a joint effort between City University of New York and the Academic Information Systems division of IBM. CUNY maintains a diverse array of multimedia ventures among its many campuses and a number of exciting projects are being developed within the social sciences, humanities and sciences. Administrative support enabled faculty participants to focus on their individual course proposals and despite a modest budget, several impressive courses were developed using Toolbook software. - MT Networks and Networking "AT&T Will Provide Directory & Database Services to the National Science Foundation NSFNET" AT&T Press Release (January 5, 1993) posted on NETTRAIN@UBVM (January 27, 1993). AT&T announces that it has signed a cooperative agreement with the NSF to develop and maintain an Internet Directory of Directories covering FTP sites, white and yellow pages services, library catalogs, archives, and other servers. AT&T will work cooperatively with CERFNet and Network Solutions, Inc. to form INTERNIC which will manage the service. Included in this press release is the NSF statement on user fees for the service (applicable to those outside the US research and education community). See also, Calcari in Current Cites 4(1) (January 1993). - DR Coalition for Networked Information. Fall 1992 Meeting of the Task Force: Summary Report. December 7, 1992. 7p. [Available via anonymous ftp from ftp.cni.org in directory /CNI/tf.meetings/1992b.fall or by sending e-mail to joan@cni.org or calling the Coalition at (202)232-2466.] This brief report provides a look at the numerous discussions and presentations that further CNI's goal of fostering networked resources and services that benefit the scholarly community. Topics include: The Transformational Potential of Networked Information, Aesthetics of Visualization, Architectures for High-Performance Networked Information Resources and Services, NREN Public Policy Framework, and Project Big Ideas. Paul Evan Peters, Executive Director of the Coalition, introduced the new Project Big Ideas which aims to take advantage of the new presidential administration and provide a forum to "frame and realize the potential for progress in the current situation." - DR Computer Systems Policy Project. Perspectives on the National Information Infrastructure: CSPP's Vision and Recommendations for Action. Washington, DC : The Project, January 12, 1993. 17p. [Copies of this report are available from Pam Fandel at (202) 662-8403.] This report outlines the recommendations of the CSPP to the Clinton administration, the congress, and the computer, telecommunications, and information industries for the development of the national information infrastructure (NII). While the CSPP is composed of the biggest players in the computer industry (Apple, AT&T, Compaq, Control Data, Cray, Data General, Digital, HP, IBM, Silicon Graphics, Sun, Tandem, and Unisys), the perspective of the report does not seem to be fatally limited by the lack of participants from outside the industry. Among other ideas, the CSPP proposes the creation of both an NII Council chaired by the Vice President "to provide a management focus" and include the Secretary of Commerce, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Chairman of the FCC as well as an NII Implementation Entity to coordinate, manage, and focus research and implementations of high-speed networks and services. - DR Keays, Thomas. "Searching Online Database Services Over the Internet" ONLINE 17(1) (January 1993):29-33. Keays explains why using fee-based services over the Internet can save money and be more flexible. Included are tips for getting the most mileage out of networked searching as well as instructions and addresses for logging on to the following systems: EPIC and FirstSearch, NEXIS/LEXIS, ORBIT, RLIN, and STN. Of course, you'll still need an account to use these systems, but your telecom charges will most likely be lower. - DR Ladner, Sharyn J. and Hope N. Tillman. "Using the Internet for Reference" ONLINE 17(1) (January 1993):45-51. Ladner and Tillman provide a full analysis of the data they collected on the use of networked resources in the provision of information upon request by special librarians. The results presented here indicate that communication (i.e., e-mail), and in particular, electronic discussion lists, is the most important aspect of their network use. The collapsing of distances and virtual communities that have developed over the net have brought great changes to the way these librarians do business. - DR Markoff, John. "Building the Electronic Superhighway" The New York Times 142(49221) (January 24, 1993):Sect.3, 1, 6 (Western edition). Markoff presents a remarkably clear analysis of the debate over whether the National Information Infrastructure should be built by the private or public sector, "who will own it and how it will be regulated." Markoff presents Vice President Gore as one of the major proponents of the publicly funded network and Robert Allen of AT&T as one of the major proponents of the privately funded network. In addition to the positions these major players, Markoff explains why the Electronic Frontier Foundation supports a privately funded ISDN implementation of the national network. - DR "NREN Hearing" ALAWON: ALA Washington Office Newsline 2(5) (February 5, 1993). [For information on back issues, send the e-mail message "send ala-wo filelist" to listserv@uicvm or to listserv@uicvm.uic.edu.] ALA's Washington Office reports on the February 2nd hearing before the House Science Subcommittee on high-performance computing and networking. A number of witnesses testified, including Robert Hetrick of EDUCOM, Mitchell Kapor of the EFF, and Sara Parker representing ALA. The witnesses testified in support of increasing access to the network both among institutions of higher education as well as K-12. - DR Peters, Paul Evan. "Technology, Scholarship, and the Humanities" EDUCOM Review 28(1) (January/February 1993):16-18. Peters briefly summarizes the recommendations of the participants in the national conference on information technology in the humanities organized by the Getty Art History Information Program and the American Council of Learned Societies and cosponsored by CNI, the Council on Library Resources, and the Research Libraries Group. Conference participants made numerous proposals for increasing the availability of electronic texts and other resources to scholars in the humanities, as well as increasing the involvement of humanists in creating those resources. A full report of the proceedings is due out soon. - DR Proceedings of the NREN Workshop: Monterey, California, September 16-18, 1992 / sponsored by Computing Research Association, EDUCOM, IEEE U.S. Activities Board, with assistance from the National Science Foundation, c1992. 239p. Available from EDUCOM for $10 (send a check payable to EDUCOM to Elizabeth Barnhart, EDUCOM, 1112 16th St. NW, Suite 600, Wash. D.C. 20036). This September workshop allowed for numerous Internet/NREN constituencies to gather and come to some consensus on what they thought the development of network should be. Among their findings is the notion that the NREN should be considered not a specific network or even an internetwork, but a program for developing the National Information Infrastructure. The bulk of the report (over 200 pages) is an appendix composed of the position papers of the participating organizations (e.g., the American Library Association, Advanced Network Services, the Association of Research Libraries, AT&T, the Coalition for Networked Information, and the Library of Congress). These proceedings help us, and hopefully the US government, understand some of the possibilities of the NREN's future. - DR Optical Disc Technologies Allen, Dennis. "CD-ROM: Now is the Time" BYTE 18(2) (February 1993):12. BYTE's editor-in-chief heralds the debut of the recordable CD-ROM drive (see Udell below) as "every bit as revolutionary as was the Gutenberg press." He urges those without CD-ROM drives to buy one. He tells companies to outfit all their personal computers with a CD-ROM drive. Furthermore, he says it is unconscionable for computer manufacturers not to include CD-ROM drives in their new systems. - TR Desmarais, Norman. "CD-ROM Expo Features New Drives and Titles" CD-ROM Librarian 7(11) (December 1992):24-33. Desmarais reports on the CD-ROM Expo held in Boston last fall. As the title suggests, this article summarizes the ever-improving new drives, many of which include support for multimedia applications, and the expanding number of software titles currently available on the market. The range of titles include guides to power negotiating, national parks, and even a history of the technological innovations of IBM (!). - TR Udell, Jon. "Start the Presses" BYTE 18(2) (February 1993):116- 134. Udell describes a revolutionary breakthrough in the CD-ROM industry: recordable CD-ROM drives (CD-R), retailing for under $10,000. This type of new and affordable do-it-yourself CD-ROM publishing is predicted to shift the electronic publishing revolution into high gear. This article explains the technology, comparing it to existing optical disc technologies it may well replace and discusses the impact it will have on the industry. Informative sidebars include a "colorful" explanation of CD standards and an overview of affordable CD-R drives. - TR Weide, Janice. "CD-ROM Reference Survey" CD-ROM Librarian 7(11) (December 1992):45-49. Weide provides a useful, selective rather than exhaustive, list of electronic reference tools available on CD-ROM. The list is particularly well-suited for public libraries. The list is divided into the following sections: bibliographies, encyclopedias, general periodical indexes, newspapers and current events, dictionaries and thesauri, science and technology, directories and business information, music, art and literature, geography and atlases, and biographies. - TR Emerging Technologies BYTE 18(2) (February 1993). BYTE's State of the Art column focuses on wireless data communications, which Mello and Wayner predict will be commonplace within three years. Also included are numerous sidebars as well as a one-page resource guide for obtaining wireless services. o Mello, John P. Jr. and Peter Wayner. "Wireless Mobile Communications: The Infrastructure for Ubiquitous Wireless Data Communications is Rapidly Expanding" pp.147-154. Mello and Wayner bring some much-needed clarity to the description of the emerging set of wireless technologies. In competition are cellular services (analog and digital packet-switched), radio frequency digital services, guard band transmission, satellite connections, as well as other local and national network implementations. o Ryan, Bob. "Communications Get Personal: AT&T Unveils its Plan for the Personal Communications Revolution" pp.169-176. Ryan describes AT&T's plans for their personal communicator which combines the Go Corporation's PenPoint operating system and AT&T's Hobbitt chip specifically designed for low power and high performance. The article does get fairly technical in its description of the instruction processing architecture of the Hobbitt chip. Also included are descriptions of Apple's Newton and the two EO communicators for comparison. o Wayner, Peter. "Stretching the Ether: How Wireless Technologies Make the Most of Limited Bandwidth" pp.159-165. Wayner goes into some depth in describing specific areas of wireless network development. Included in this article is a discussion of calling cells and their configuration; cellular digital packet data (CDPD); time division multiple access (TDMA) and code division multiple access (CDMA) which both allow more data throughput per channel; and Teatherless Access Ltd. (TAL) which hopes to provide an Internet-like packet radio network where each user acts as sender, receiver, and router. TAL's dream is to put "a transceiver on every home." - DR ------------------------------------------------------------ ------- Current Cites 4(2) (February 1992) ISSN: 1060-2356 Copyright (C) 1993 by the Library, University of California, Berkeley. All rights reserved. All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Mention of a product in this publication does not necessarily imply endorsement of the product. Copying is permitted for noncommercial use by computerized bulletin board/conference systems, individual scholars, and libraries. Libraries are authorized to add the journal to their collections at no cost. This message must appear on copied material. All commercial use requires permission from the editor, who may be reached in the following ways: drobison@library.berkeley.edu // drobison@ucblibra // (510)642-7600 ------------------------------------------------------------ -------