_Current_Cites_ Volume 2, no. 6 June 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 Hyper- and Multimedia Fersko-Weiss, Henry. "Software: 3-D Reading with the HypertextEdge" PC Magazine 10(10) (May 28, 1991):241-282. The most thorough and current review of Hypertext and Hypermedia packages for the PC. Software writers for the IBM world are catching up with Apple's pioneering HyperCard and this detailed review as well as sidebars on general concepts of hypermedia authoring, provide an excellent source for information about these packages. The distinction between hypertext and hypermedia eases as many packages offer linking capabilities to video disk sources, sound and graphics packages and other applications. These are clearly the second generation of PC-based hypermedia applications, displaying some sophisticated capabilities like Boolean searching, generous indexing and other new features. Information Transfer "Double-Sided Document Scanner from Germany" Information Media & Technology 24(3) (May 1991):95. In the Document Imaging section we find a description of the MS-Race-DS, a double sided document scanner produced by a German company, MSMikrofilm GmbH. "IBM turns up the heat on ImagePlus" Information Media & Technology 24(3) (May 1991):113-118. A detailed description of IBMs ImagePlus image processing system and its capabilities. Jul, Erik. "Howard Besser Explores the Development of Image Databases" OCLC Newsletter 190 (March/April 1991):16-18. Dr. Besser, Assistant Professor, School of Library and Information Science, University of Pittsburgh, offers his expert view (20 years experience with image databases) on digital image technology, its limitations and its future. "Paperless Fax" Information Media & Technology 24(3) (May 1991):98. This newsbrief in the Facsimile section introduces the MetaFax. Roche, Marilyn. "Ariel: The Document Transmission Workstation" Posting on ILL-L@UNMVM (May 24, 1991) item #000347. A useful and detailed explanation of the RLG Document Transmission Workstation including equipment specifications and current prices. Networks and Networking Braunstein, Yale M. "Resolving Conflicts between Information Ownership and Intellectual Freedom" Library Trends 39(1-2) (Summer/Fall 1990):126-131. The "tension between information ownership and intellectual freedom emerges both from the balancing of economic and political interests and as a result of the underlying structure of communications and information industries." While not a new issue, the advent of mass electronic data and information sharing only adds to this tension. Braunstein investigates some of the legal and intellectual aspects of this issue. CREN Board of Trustees, BITNET Network Information Center (INFO@BITNIC) "Why Continued Membership in CREN is Important" NetMonth / An Independent Guide to BITNET 38 (July 1991):3-5 (BITLIB@YALEVM). As plans and some implementation of the NREN/NSFNet progress, it is important that institutions participating in the national networks understand the ramifications of membership in the various networks currently available. Those at CREN (BITNET and CSnet) "believe that it is important to maintain your CREN membership at least until the NREN exists with access rules, funding, and usage policies which enable a smooth and complete transition from current connectivity and capabilities to the new expanded capabilities we aspire to achieve on the NREN." The promise of an open-access NREN is not secure. On reserve in LSL. Eaton, Nancy L. "Freedom and Equality of Access to Information: The Lacy Commission Report" Library Trends 39(1-2) (Summer/Fall 1990):111-125. Eaton looks at the impact of the Lacy Commission Report, which centered "upon dissemination of, and access to, information," ALAs response, and the ensuing discussion of information in the electronic age. Optical Disk Technologies Flanders, Bruce "General Periodicals Ondisc: UMI's one-stop wonder" CD-ROM Librarian 6(4) (April 1991):27-32. As the title clearly indicates, this is a very enthusiastic review of the University Microfilms, Inc. family of full- text CD-ROM data-bases. General Periodicals Ondisc links an abstract and index database to a full-text image database of complete articles of key publications. The articles appear just as they do in the original publication-only in black and white-complete with photographs, charts, graphics and maps. Kesselman, Martin "CD-ROM/Online Update" Wilson Library Bulletin 65(7) (March 1991):94-97. Among the new products Kesselman discusses is the Kubik Compact Disc Changer Jukebox, which has the potential to take CD-ROM jukebox technology a giant step forward. Currently in the prototype phase of development, this jukebox format has a capacity of 240 discs and includes a multiple server with up to five Phillips drive mechanisms. It would greatly enhance access to large CD-ROM sets such as UMI's full-textcollections. King, Alan "Kicking the tires: the fine art of CD-ROM product evaluation" Online 15(3) (May 1991):102-104. The author outlines the basic foundation for planning and executing a CD-ROM product evaluation during a trial run period offered by the manufacturer. Quint, Barbara "Controversy over NLM CD-ROM licensing prices" CD- ROM Librarian 6(4) (April 1991):24-26. This articles discusses the National Library of Medicine's controversial fee restructuring for networked CD-ROMs. Annual fees for providing access to CD-ROM Medline databases through local area networks have jumped from $100 to many thousands of dollars in some cases. Medical librarians are outraged and the information community fears that NLMs move may be precedent-setting. General Duggan, Mary Kay. "Copyright of Electronic Information: Issues and Questions" Online 15(4) (May 1991):20-26. Electronic information is discussed in relation to the issues of copyright, fair use, and the protection of intellectual property vs.the free exchange of ideas. The author anchors these broad topics in everyday reality by citing specific examples of current uses of CD-ROMs and other electronic databases. Seiden, Peggy, ed. Survey of Libraries Providing Locally Mounted Databases. RASD Occasional Papers, 8. Chicago: American Library Association, Reference and Adult Services Division, 1991. The growing phenomenon of libraries mounting additional databases on their online catalog systems is documented by this survey of U.S. and Canadian libraries conducted during 1989. Analytic essays accompany the survey data. Forthcoming Connolly, Frank, Steven W. Gilbert and Peter Lyman. "A Bill of Rights for Electronic Citizens." An edited version of this draft document (March 13, 1990) will be appearing in the next two issues of EDUCOM Review. A thoughtful, stimulating, and wide-ranging review of issues regarding intellectual property, copyright, free scholarly exchange, and a host of related issues within the environment of a national research and education network. Definitely a must read for librarians interested in networking issues. Farley, Laine, ed. "Strategies for Selecting and Using Library Resources on the Internet" Reference and Adult Services Division, Machine-Assisted Reference Section, Direct Patron Access to Computer-Based Reference Systems Committee, July 1991. The draft of the MARS Direct Patron Access Committee's guide to library catalogs on the Internet can now be FTP'd from: host dla.ucop.edu, directory pub/internet/libcat- guide. Kalin, Sally W. and Roy Tennant. "Beyond OPACS...The Wealth of Information Resources on the Internet." Database 14, no. 4 (August 1991) (in press). Strategies for identifying non-bibliographic databases on the Internet are described. Issues regarding evaluation, access problems, ethics, support and training are discussed. Selected databases are highlighted with brief descriptions and access instructions. New Journals Announced Electronic Networking: Research, Applications, and Policy, edited by Charles McClure (CMCCLURE@suvm.acs.syr.edu), has been announced by Meckler Publishing Co. Beginning in the Fall of this year, "the purpose of the journal is to describe, evaluate, and foster understanding of the role and applications of electronic networks. Moreover, the journal intends to promote and encourage the successful use of electronic networks. The journal will be of interest to network users, managers, and policy makers in the academic, computer, communication, library, and government communities." -- Meckler's press release. Virtual Reality Report, edited by Sandra Kay Helsel. Published monthly by Meckler, the purpose of this newsletter is to "report on the organizing consciousness of an emerging new discipline and its requisite concepts and technologies." -- Meckler's press release. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Cites 2(6)(June 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------