_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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------