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Current Cities Volume 02 Number 12
_Current_Cites_
Volume 2, no. 12
December 1991
Library Technology Watch Program
University of California, Berkeley
Edited by David F.W. Robison
ISSN: 1060-2356
Contributors:
Teri Rinne, Vivienne Roumani, Lisa Rowlison, Mark Takaro, Roy Tennant
Expert Systems
Buckland, Michael K. and Doris Florian "Expertise, Task Complexity,
and Artificial Intelligence: A Conceptual Framework" Journal of the
American Society for Information Science 42(9) (Oct. 1991):635-
643. This interesting and somewhat theoretical article discusses
the potential value AI might have in the design and use of
information systems (IS). The authors' model of task complexity
which relates the user's system expertise with his/her subject
expertise, makes for a clear explanation of the points in the
(human/machine) interaction where simplification (and perhaps AI)
might be introduced to maximize successful IS usage. The measure
of machine intelligence (measured pragmatically in terms of the
number of reliable responses provided rather than requiring it to
meet the rigors of a philosophical definition) as suggested here puts
into perspective what is meant in calling a machine "intelligent" and
also serves as a useful, practical criterion (along with issues of
cost) for evaluating the utility of machines incorporating AI design.
-- LR
Hyper- and Multimedia
Ang, Peng H., Peter A. Ruetz, and David Auld "Video Compression
Makes Big Gains" IEEE Spectrum 28(10) (October 1991):16-19. A
technical discussion describing video compression of both still and
moving pictures. As standards continue to be developed for the
medium, storage of large sets of images for multimedia applications
will become easier. A short bibliography appended to the article
suggests further readings on the subject. -- MT
Bonomi, Mauro "Multimedia and CD-ROM: An Overview of JPEG, MPEG
and the Future" CD-ROM Professional 4(6) (November 1991):38-42.
A thorough review of the process by which standards for multimedia
are being developed. Both the Joint Photographic Experts Group
(JPEG) and the Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) are working on
standardizing compression schemes to improve the use of images in
multimedia systems. An example of a co-processor designed to the
JPEG standards is mentioned. -- MT
Donovan, John W. "Intel/IBM's Audio-Video Kernel" BYTE 16(13)
(December 1991)177-186. Hardware continues to makes strides in
the multimedia world as new products to address the market are
introduced. The audio-visual kernal (AVK), a joint effort of Intel and
IBM, provides a low-level software interface for real-time video and
audio in multimedia applications. Incorporating concepts from audio
and video production studios and compatible with other operating
systems, the AVK advances the capabilities of desktop multimedia
systems. Sidebars on the new Intel/IBM ActionMedia Delivery Board
and IBM's multimedia platform PS/2 Ultimedia Model M57 SLC
accompany the article. -- MT
Jorgensen, Corinne and Peter Jorgensen "Citations in Hypermedia:
Maintaining Critical Links" College and Research Libraries 52(6)
(November 1991):528-536. The issue of citations for sources in
hypermedia systems is addressed in this discussion of
considerations for the design of those systems. If designers keep
the citation issue in mind, they will be able to create hypermedia
systems that are easier to cite. A lengthy bibliography points up
useful related sources in the field as well. -- MT
Networks and Networking
"ALANET to Cease" ALCTS Network News 2(20) (December 9, 1991).
Given fiscal constraints, and the availability of alternate network
access, ALANET will cease operations on January 31, 1992. But, ALA
"will assist all ALANET subscribers to locate and secure alternate
services comparable to those provided by ALANET." -- DR
Bailey, Jr., Charles W. and Dana Rooks, eds. "Symposium on the Role
of Network-Based Electronic Resources in Scholarly Communication
and Research" Public Access Systems Review 2(1) (1991):4-60. The
editors posed five questions to the conference participants relating
to the roles libraries should "play in creating, collecting, providing
access to, and supporting network-based electronic resources." --
DR
Engle, Mary E. "Electronic Paths to Resource Sharing: Widening
Opportunities Through the Internet" Reference Services Review
19(4) (Winter 1991):7-12. Engle investigates the uses and
procedures for accessing remote information resources using telnet.
In addition, she uses the experience of the Melvyl( system to
analyze usage patterns and problems. There is also a handy section
entitled "Survival Techniques." -- DR
"High-Performance Computing Act of 1991" Signed December 9,
1991. This is the text of the "NREN bill" and is available by sending
an e-mail message to NIS-INFO@NIS.NSF.NET (35.1.1.48) with no
subject and the message reading "send nrenbill.txt" or through
anonymous ftp (password "guest") in the nsfnet directory -- DR
North American Directory Forum "A Naming Scheme for c=US" RFC
1255 (September 1991) . This somewhat technical paper describes
the NADFs agreement on how entries will be named in the public
portion of the North American Directory in conformance with x.500
standards. The purpose of the agreement is to ensure that names are
both meaningful and unique (available via anonymous ftp from
nnsc.nsf.net or 128.89.1.178 in directory /rfc as RFC1255.txt). -
- DR
Perratore, Ed, et al. "Networking CD-ROMs: the Power of Access" PC
Magazine 10(22) (December 31, 1991):333-363. Networking CD-
ROMs is becoming easier and less expensive as the technology
improves and licensing restrictions ease. This is an extensive
collection of articles of reviews of DOS-based drives, changers,
towers, LANs, and software. -- DR
Peters, Paul Evans "Summary Report of the Fall 1991 Meeting of the
CNI Task Force" Posting on CNIDIR-L@UNMVM.BITNET and PACS-
L@UHUPVM1.BITNET (December 11, 1991). The Director of the
Coalition for Networked Information has provided the Internet
community with excellent notes on the Fall meeting of the
Coalition's Task Force. The issues addressed at the meeting include:
catalyzing the flow of networked information, the perspective of the
humanities, arts and social sciences, NREN public policy framework,
and an information policies compilation. -- DR
Weis, Alan and Eric Aupperle "A Letter to the Internet Community..."
Posting to the com-priv@psi.com Internet discussion on
commercialization and privatization issues regarding the Internet
(Dec. 7, 1991). Advanced Network Services (formed by a partnership
between IBM, MCI, and Merit), announces a scheme to prevent
commercial network traffic from traversing the network lines of
constituent networks that do not wish to carry commercial traffic.
Also announced is the first major commercial service provider
offered to the Internet by ANS: Dialog Information Services of Palo
Alto. -- RT
Wilson, David L. "High Cost Could Deny Big Computer Advance to
Some Colleges" Chronicle of Higher Education 38(15) (December 4,
1991):A1, A32. While advanced computing is becoming the order of
the day in many libraries and institutions, many smaller
organizations may not be able to afford the upgrades. A national
high-speed computing network has little use for the campus that
cannot afford to connect to it. Some argue, however, that priorities
will shift and the money will be found. -- DR
Optical Disc Technologies
Brueggeman, Peter. "Memory Management for CD-ROM Workstations-
-Part II" CD-ROM Professional 4(6) (November 1991):74-78. In the
second installment of his series on memory management,
Brueggeman provides tips on how CD-ROM users can maximize their
hardware/software investment and more efficiently run their CD-
ROMs. He discusses memory analyzers, DOS versions, memory
managers, and network considerations. Also includes an extensive
products directory. -- TR
Jones, Arnold. "DOS CD-ROMs: Not Just for DOS Computers" CD-ROM
Professional 4(6) (November 1991):48-50. Jones explains how DOS-
based CD-ROMs are not restricted to DOS machines. This article
demonstrates how DOS CD-ROMs can be used without modification
under the following operating systems: OS/2, SCO XENIX, SCO UNIX,
Interactive UNIX, ATT UNIX System V/386, and Novell Netware 386.
-- TR
Oudard, Denis. "The Evolution of Century Disc Archival Technology"
CD-ROM Professional 4(6) (November 1991):42-46. After four years
of research and development, the first archival CD, designed to last
for at least 100 years, has been released by DIGIPRESS. To overcome
the physical limitations of conventional plastic discs, all organic
materials were replaced by minerals and all unstable materials
were replaced with their most invulnerable "cousins." The new
technology has been successfully applied to all optical disc formats
including CD-Audio, CD-ROM, CD-Video, and 30cm Laser Disc. -- TR
Perratore, Ed, et al. "Networking CD-ROMs: the Power of Access" --
See: Networks and Networking.
Forthcoming
Tennant, Roy "Internet Basic Training: Teaching Networking Skills in
Higher Education" Electronic Networking: Research, Applications, and
Policy 1(2) (Winter 1991). -- RT
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Current Cites 2(12)(December 1991) ISSN: 1060-2356
Copyright (C) 1991 by the Library, University of
California, Berkeley. 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 from the editor,
who may be reached in the following ways:
drobison@library.berkeley.edu // drobison@ucblibra // (510)642-7600
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