+ Page 1 + ---------------------------------------------------------------- Public-Access Computer Systems News November 13, 1990 Volume 1, Number 11 ISSN 1050-6004 Editors: Dana Rooks and Charles W. Bailey, Jr. (LIB3@UHUPVM1). Issued on an irregular basis by University Libraries, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-2091. ---------------------------------------------------------------- VIRTUAL REALITY CONFERENCE The 1st Annual Virtual Reality Conference will be sponsored by Meckler, December 10-11, 1990, at the Cathedral Hill Hotel, in San Francisco. "Virtual Reality: Theory, Practice and Promise" will explore the science, art, and philosophies of the emerging field of computer generated artificial reality, cyberspace, and virtual reality. Sessions are planned to provide an integrated overview of virtual reality that includes its fantasy, research, societal implications, and potential for commercial application. The three major components of the conference will focus on theory --the ideological and philosophical as well as the scientific, cognitive, and psycho-social principles; practice--presenting actual virtual environments; and promise--future development and implementation in a variety of applications. The cultural implications of widespread usage of virtual reality will also be discussed. Registration is $195 per day before November 30, $225 thereafter, or $380/$430 for both days. For information or to register call toll free 800/635-5537 or 203/226-6967 or write Meckler Conference Management, 11 Ferry Lane West, Westport, CT 06880. + Page 2 + NOTIS STARTS JOINT DEVELOPMENT OF Z39.50 LINK NOTIS Systems have announced their participation in a joint effort with Indiana University and the State University of New York to develop host-to-host linkage software based on the Z39.50 standard. Called PACLink, the software will allow a NOTIS OPAC user at one site to have a seamless connection to the NOTIS OPAC at another site. Included in the project are six NOTIS installations in Indiana: Ball State, Indiana State, Indiana, Purdue Universities, and the Universities of Evansville and Notre Dame, as well as the State University of New York at Binghamton, Buffalo, and Stony Brook. Initial testing of the software is expected by the second half of 1991. The PACLink software will eventually allow any NOTIS site to connect to any local system supporting the Z39.50 standard, thus enhancing opportunities for cooperative collection development and resource sharing. For additional information or a functional description of PACLink contact Stuart W. Miller, NOTIS Systems, Inc., 1007 Church Street, Evanston, IL 60201-3622, or call 708/866-0171, FAX 708/866-0178. PBS RELEASES MACINTOSH PRO-SEARCH VERSION 1.1 Personal Bibliographic Software, Inc. has released its Pro-Search Version 1.1 for the Macintosh. The front-end program makes it easier and less expensive to search and retrieve records from DIALOG Information Services, by using standard Mac interface techniques, instead of Dialog's command language. The new version includes expanded scripting language, improved accounting, and a new Online Status panel. Registered Pro-Search 1.0 users will receive a free upgrade to Version 1.1 For more information contact PBS at P.O. Box 4250, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 or 313/996-1580, FAX 313/996-4672. + Page 3 + IAC TO DEBUT EXPANDED ACADEMIC INDEX ON INFOTRAC Information Access Company is adding Expanded Academic Index to its InfoTrac library of CD-ROM databases. The new InfoTrac CD- ROM database will be shown for the first time at the American Library Association conference in Chicago in January, 1991, with delivery scheduled in early 1991. The Expanded Academic Index contains 960 scholarly journals comprising 98 percent of the titles in three H.W. Wilson indexes: Humanities Index, Social Sciences Index, and General Sciences Index, plus additional titles in law and communications. The Expanded Index is designed for medium to large libraries and can be used in conjunction with other InfoTrac databases at the same workstation. Updated monthly on CD-ROM or weekly when licensed on magnetic tape. For info contact Arta Zygielbaum, IAC, 362 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA 94408, or call 415/378-5000, toll-free 800/227-8431. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (C) 1990 by the University Libraries, University of Houston. All rights reserved. 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------