_Current_Cites_ Volume 2, no. 8 August 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 Barletta, Ralph "An Introduction to Case-Based Reasoning" AI Expert 6(8) (August 1991):42-49. Learning from experience and extrapolating this knowledge to guide us in new situations is a common use of our intelligence. In the continued effort to create machine intelligence, AI people have worked out a new technology called case-based reasoning (CBR). Using CBR, expert systems are able to learn from each individual case in order to solve new problems which may be similar but not identical to those previously met. This article gives a good introduction to CBR & compares it with the more common expert system problem solving schemes. Desmarais, Norman "Virtual, Interactive Literature" CD-ROM Librarian 6(6) (June 1991):18-20. Virtual reality (VR), that child of AI which is almost nonsensically described as, "artificial reality" is coming of age and may find its way into our lives. VR may be conceptualized as being similar to television, except VR is interactive, allowing the user to influence the environment (recall Woody Allen in The Purple Rose of Cairo?) This article describes the ways VR may find a niche in our entertainment by allowing us to visit museums, solve murder mysteries, travel to distant lands, etc. all from the comfort of our homes. Considering these possibilities it is interesting to imagine academic uses - perhaps in teaching history, social anthropology or even biochemistry. Keyguide to Information Sources in Artificial Intelligence/Expert Systems / Peter J. Hancox, et al. Lawrence, Kansas : Ergosyst Associates, Inc., 1990. This book is a cornucopia of AI research information. It offers an extensive annotated bibliography of key literature; listings of AI societies, publishers, and libraries; as well as an overview of the field's history, organization and research tools. Information Transfer Jackson, Mary E. The Online environment in the 1990s : A challenge for resource sharing. IOLS '90: Integrated Online Library Systems, Proceedings 1990, New York, May 2-3, 1989. Medford, NJ, Learned Information, 1990, p. 91-101. Jackson explains that whereas in the 80s we were finding better, faster methods of sending requests for materials (mostly all electronically transmitted now), in the 90s we must find faster, better methods to transmit the actual documents. She describes Ariel, the RLG Document Transmission Workstation as one example. Hyper- and Multimedia "DVI Announcements at the Sixth Annual Microsoft Conference" CD- ROM Librarian 6(6) (June 1991):15-18. A quick look at new products ranging from a DVI (Digital Video Interactive) product that assists in instruction of British Sign Language to portable multimedia systems and more. DVI seems to be joining the future of multimedia with specific products such as those described here. Phillips, Richard L. "MediaView: A General Multimedia Digital Publication System" Communications of the ACM 34(7) (July 1991):75-83. Designed in this first instance for the NeXT environment, MediaView pushes the boundaries of the possible a little further in the world of multimedia. In addition to taking full advantage of the NeXT capabilities with text, graphics, audio and motion video displays, MediaView permits communication between and editing of the various components of presentations from the NeXT desktop. This article introduces the reader to the NeXT environment in the context of a multimedia system, providing a fascinating glimpse of the future of computing and multimedia. Urr, Clifford. "Will the Real Hypertext Please Stand Up?" Computers in Libraries 11(5) (May 1991):46-49. A look at the philosophy and principles of hypertext that is meant to be helpful for the user interested in purchasing equipment or in deciding whether to explore hypertext for their own applications. An excellent article for library staff and users, describing issues surrounding indexing, classification structures and hypertext organization in a non- technical framework. Networks and Networking Grycz, Czeslaw Jan "Economic Models for Disseminating Scholarly Information" DLA Bulletin 11(1) (Summer 1991):1, 3-4, 24. Grycz describes the numerous ways electronic resources can be put to use in the academic environment as well as the economic aspects of such activity. Flanders, Bruce "NREN: The Big Issues aren't Technical" American Libraries 22(6) (June 1991):572-574. If you're already familiar with the NREN, skip to the last section of this article, where Flanders brings up the "big issues:" who will own the NREN? who will have access? how will privacy be protected? Flanders does not provide answers, but a focus for our questions. Flanders, Bruce "The WELL: Discourse in the Electronic Village" Computers in Libraries 11(5) (May 1991):26-28. If you've been hearing about the WELL, but you're not sure what it is, how to join or if to join (i.e.,become a "Wellian"), here's a good place to start. In a way, the WELL is an electronic conference and resource center. The WELL is home to the electronic Apple Library Users Group (ALUG), the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and interest groups of every kind. See below: Kriz, Harry M., et al. "An Environmental Approach to CD- ROM Networking Using Off-the-Shelf Components" Sproull, Lee. Connections : New Ways of Working in the Networked Organization / Lee Sproull, Sara Kiesler. Cambridge, Mass. : The MIT Press, 1991. This wide-ranging and insightful book is a must for anyone looking at the social and psychological implications of networking. With such index entries as: Access, Electronic groups, Performance control, Sexpert, and Social control, this is a must read. Optical Disc Technology Clark, Katie "Diskware" CD-ROM Professional 4(4) (July 1991):115- 116. Clark outlines some of the important factors to consider in evaluating CD-ROMs versus online systems, including database content, software retrieval features, response time and indexing. Crane, Pamela "Multifunction Optical Offers Versatility" CD-ROM Professional 4(4) (July 1991):72-75. This article describes yet another new optical technology looming on the horizon-- multifunction optical technology, a hybrid combination of rewritable and write-once capabilities. The author heralds this new technology as the "mass storage problem solver for the knowledge management needs of the coming years." Kriz, Harry M., et al. "An Environmental Approach to CD-ROM Networking Using Off-the-Shelf Components" CD-ROM Professional 4(4) (July 1991):24-26. This article describes Virginia Tech's new CD-ROM LAN system which provides access to both on-campus users and branch libraries over 200 miles away--all for under $19,000. "Something to Remember Us By: The American Memory Program" College & Research Libraries News 52(6) (June 1991):375-376. The American Memory Program is an ambitious project to provide nationwide access to the collections of the Library of Congress. This article describes the project and a prototype slated for testing at 30 libraries during the second half of 1991. Collections in various formats including photographs, graphic arts, motion pictures, recorded sound, music, broadsides, manuscripts, books, and pamphlets, will be placed on compact discs and videodiscs, and will eventually be available online as well. General and News Bits Dillon, Andrew "New Technology and the Reading Process: with Electronic Journals, How They Look is as Important as What They Say" Computers in Libraries 11(6) (June 1991):23-26. Ovens, Cora S.H. "Computer Literacy and Libraries" Electronic Library 9(2) (April 1991):85-88. Mere rote usage of a computer does not qualify as computer literacy, but for many the anxiety associated with learning about computers is a stumbling block toward becoming literate. This article talks about the problems facing computer literacy and discusses a few basic solutions. One interesting point made is that age, gender and educational attainment have no relation to the possible degrees of computer anxiety. And, as might be expected, patient and thorough training is the most effective solution to the problem. "Writable CD-ROM Systems--Where will They Fit in the Digital Storage/publishing Hierarchy?" CD-ROM Librarian 6(6) (June 1991):32-34. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Cites 2(8)(August 1991) ISSN: 1060-2356 Copyright (C) 1992 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------