Description: This article discusses the challenge of multimedia networking. There is no question that computer applications such as word processing, electronic mail, and desktop publishing have changed the way people work. These computer applications have enhanced users' capacity for communication and have improved their productivity. The success of these applications has prompted both vendors and researchers to continue to seek new ways to further advance the information technology revolution. Enter the latest innovation: networked multimedia systems.

Description: This article discusses hypermedia, interactive multimedia, and virtual realities. No one knows what the landscape of information technology in the 21st century will look like, but there are many sources that will sketch the most prominent features. This column will direct the reader to the best "guidebooks" to new interactive computer technologies like hypermedia and virtual reality simulations. In the spirit of Recursive Reviews, the author won't try to limit the discussion artificially to "just" hypermedia, or "just" interactive multimedia. Instead, the aim will be to point out: (1) practical sources that orient the reader to the newest computer media technologies, and (2) new journals that discuss the possibilities of the media.

Description: This report discusses a project for digitizing historical publications. Abstract: In October 1997, the University of North Texas Libraries entered into an agreement with the U.S. Government Printing Office to provide permanent public access to the electronic records of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR). As the official and the only site for ACIR electronic records, requests for historical publications of the agency are frequently received from researchers, government administrators, students, and others who find UNT Libraries electronic collection by searching the Internet. The authors propose to enhance the current ACIR electronic collection by making the most important serial titles published by the agency available as electronic documents accessible via the Internet. The serial titles are no longer in print and, to the authors' knowledge, are not available in electronic format. This digitization project will be accomplished by outsourcing high-speed, quantity scanning of approximately 4,200 pages of text. The high speed scanning will provide us with "pdf" files. The authors will then develop a method for organizing and presenting the files on the World Wide Web designed to provide broad access using the free Acrobat Reader. The authors' goal will be to develop a process that balances level of ...