Information Retrieval List Digest 307 (May 20, 1995)
URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/irld/irld-307

IRLIST Digest                               ISSN 1064-6965
May 20, 1995
Volume XIII, Number 20
Issue 307
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 II. JOBS
        1. Sageware, Inc.: Employment Opportunities
        2. Vanderbilt U.: Informatics Center
        3. Newsweek: Director of Library Information Systems
III. NOTICES
     A. Publications
        1. FARNET's Washington Update
     B. Meetings
        1. Workshop on Practical Applications of Information
           Filtering
        2. Great Lakes Conference '96
 IV. PROJECTS
     C. Fellowships, Grants, and Scholarships
        1. NSF 96-85 (STIS): Speech, Text, Image, and Multimedia
**********************************************************
II. JOBS
II.1.
Fr: Richard <rtong@sageware.com>
Re: Sageware, Inc.: Employment Opportunities

              Employment Opportunities at Sageware, Inc.

Sageware, Inc., located in Mountain View, CA, is the world's
leading provider of agent-based, information finding and
information dissemination solutions. We sell intelligent
information agents, agent components, and the tools to build and
maintain these agents, for many technology and industry areas,
including:
  * pharmaceuticals and medicine
  * geopolitical analysis
  * science and technology
  * government regulations
  * competitive intelligence

Sageware Agents and Agent Components support cost-effective
solutions for information providers, organizations and
individuals who want to generate the highest value from their
on-line information resources. Sageware's customers include
Knight-Ridder, Hewlett-Packard and the U.S.Government.

Sageware is looking for a few key people to build our technical
team. If you are interested in making critical contributions in a
flexible, creative working environment, *and* you have skills in
the areas of object-oriented systems analysis and design, library
and information sciences, or software engineering, then please
check our web site:
      <A HREF="http://www.sageware.com/"> Sageware Homepage</A>
for the list of currently open positions.
**********
II.2.
Fr: Jeffrey Huber <jeffrey.huber@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu>
Re: Vanderbilt U.: Informatics Center

Network Technician II
(Ass't. LAN Administrator for the Informatics Center)
Informatics Center
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN

POSITION SUMMARY:  Will serve as a member of the MicroComputer
Support team for the Informatics Center, which provides end-user
support to the Department of Information Management, the Eskind
Biomedical Library, and the Division of Biomedical Informatics.
This team also researches and implements technology-based
solutions to enterprise computing.  Team includes the
Departmental Administrator, LAN Administrator and Systems
Librarian.

DUTIES:  Responsible for Netware server maintenance, including
electronic mail system and medical library databases on Novell
and Unix Servers.  Provide desktop support to end-users in the
Informatics Center.  Serve on research teams to develop and
implement new computing methodologies.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Must have strong customer orientation,
communication and teamwork skills.  Heavy interaction with end
users as individuals and members of "Local Hero/Super User"
teams.  Netware experience required.  Experience with OS/2 and
TCP/IP required.  2 years in an end-user support role in a
networked, email-equipped environment.  Experience with
client/sever applications and UNIX/Sun equipment strongly
preferred.

ENVIRONMENT:  Working locations include academic, library and
information management spaces.  Hourly interaction with end-users
and teams.  Project-team work methodology is practiced by Support
Team.

COMPENSATION:  Salary: Commensurate with education and
experience.  Excellent benefits.

APPLICATIONS:  Send applications to Deb Morley Systems Software
Specialist 400 Eskind Biomedical Library Nashville, TN
37232-8340

OR

Email to: deb.morley@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu

For additional information about the position you may call
1-800-288-0110 and ask to speak with Deb Morley.

Information about the Vanderbilt University Medical Center is
available on the World Wide Web.  Point your browser to
http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu
**********
II.3.
Fr: Madeline Cohen <cohenm@nwnet.newsweek.com
Re: Newsweek: Director of Library Information Systems

EMPLOYER: NEWSWEEK ( MAGAZINE) LIBRARY, NEW YORK, N.Y.
POSITION: DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY INFORMATION SYSTEMS

RESPONSIBILITIES:  Responsible for the design, implementation and
day-to-day management of library computer applications and
projects. This includes defining/directing computer solutions and
improvements for retrieving, manipulating and archiving
computerized information; selecting and implementing library
computer applications such as an Integrated Library System, CD
ROM Network, and access to on-line databases; designing and
managing systems for full-text and image databases; coordinating
the development of Intranet resources (library internal web page)
and external Internet access; supervising library staff involved
in automation projects.

REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE:  Extensive experience in developing library computer
applications.  Proven ability to analyze, evaluate and select
cost-effective computer applications and electronic databases for
information retrieval.  Demonstrated ability to plan, implement
and manage complex computer projects.  Strong proven leadership
and supervisory skills.  Proven hands-on experience in full-text
and image database development, PC and CD ROM LANs, Integrated
Library Systems, Internet connectivity and WWW page management.

EDUCATION:  Master's in Library/Information Science strongly
preferred.  Bachelor's degree required.  Formal training in
computer systems and software strongly preferred.  Academic
background in social sciences, journalism or business preferred.

SALARY: Excellent salary and benefits package; dependent upon qualifications.

POSITION AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY.

APPLY TO: SEND RESUMES TO: (PLEASE, NO PHONE INQUIRIES)
MADELINE COHEN, DIRECTOR
NEWSWEEK LIBRARY
251 W. 57TH STREET- 17TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10019
Madeline Cohen
**********************************************************
III. NOTICES
III.A.1.
Fr: Heather Boyles <heather@farnet.org>
Re: FARNET's Washington Update

FARNET's Washington Update --- May 17, 1996
IN THIS ISSUE:

o  Copyright markup postponed til next Wednesday
        -  Vint Cerf speaks out on copyright bill
        -  highlights of the most recent committee print
o  CDA trial concluded last week:  awaiting decision mid June?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Written from FARNET's Washington office, "FARNET's Washington
Update" is a service to FARNET members and other interested
subscribers.  We gratefully acknowledge EDUCOM's NTTF and the
Coalition for Networked Information for additional support.  If
you would like more information about the Update or would like to
offer comments or suggestions, please contact Heather Boyles at
heather@farnet.org.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Heather Boyles    Director, Policy and Special Projects
FARNET
1112 16th Street, NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
202-331-5342 phone    202-872-4318 fax
http://www.farnet.org/
**********
III.B.1.
Fr: Humphrey Sorensen <sorensen@odyssey.ucc.ie>
Re: Workshop on Practical Applications of Information Filtering

                          Call for Papers
      Workshop on Practical Applications of Information Filtering
                  to be held in conjunction with
 First International Conference on Practical Aspects of Knowledge Management
                               (PAKM)
                         Basel, Switzerland
                        October 30-31, 1996

                 Web Information on PAKM Conference:
             http://expasy.hcuge.ch/sgaico/html/pakm.html

Information filtering is an aspect of knowledge management which
has been the focus of concerted research in recent times. This
has arisen because of the increasing volumes of electronically
stored information being made available.  Unlike information
retrieval or data mining, both of which address problems
associated with static document databases, filtering applies to
transiently occurring information on a computer network. The
basic aim of information filtering is to route through to a user
those source documents deemed relevant to his/her needs, possibly
ranking them by estimated relevance; documents deemed not to be
relevant are filtered out. Estimation of relevance is carried out
by comparing a user profile - embodying knowledge of a user's
ongoing interests - with incoming documents in an information
stream. It may be expected that, as a user's interests change or
evolve, the corresponding user profile is adjusted accordingly.

Example user scenarios in which information filtering would be an
appropriate tool might include the following:

- A journalist in a newsroom may be following developments of a
certain story - or particular aspects of a story - over a
prolonged time period.  As such, he/she may wish to have relevant
newswire articles filtered through. Also, as certain aspects of
the story begin to assume importance to the journalist, the
nature of articles received might be expected to change.

- A financial institution trades stock internationally. Beside
the normal world-wide monitoring of stock exchanges, it also
needs to have knowledge of world events which might affect stock
prices: weather conditions in a particular location; earthquakes;
military coups; government changes or collapses; interest rate
changes. Toward this end, the institution may employ people to
monitor the API and FT newswires, pertinent USENET Newsgroups,
etc.

- The manager of the Information Systems division of a company
needs to keep up to date regarding the relative benefits of a
competing range of software and hardware products. To do this,
he/she wishes to monitor computer mailing lists and USENET News
to locate articles containing meaningful comparisons. As with the
other cases, the important issue is that only relevant articles
are presented, with irrelevant contributions screened out, i.e.,
filtering takes place on the incoming information.  Also, as the
manager's needs change (e.g. a hardware purchase is made or a
software product is eliminated from further consideration), the
nature of information being routed through should automatically
adapt.

PAPERS:  The purpose of this workshop is to examine currently
available practical applications of information filtering, to
assess the impact of the technology, to evaluate its successes
and failures and to appraise its future utility as a practical
application of knowledge management. Papers are invited on any
aspect of information filtering, but emphasis will be placed on
real-world systems and approaches. It is thus desirable that the
paper be linked to some specific user scenario, such as one of
those listed above. A non-exhaustive list of topics is included
below:
*  Applications of Filtering             *  Filter System Architectures
*  Profile / Document Representation     *  Profile / Document Comparison
*  Profile Adaptation                    *  Profile Optimisation
*  User Interfaces                       *  User Modelling
*  Evaluation Techniques                 *  Multimedia/Hypermedia Filtering

PAPER SUBMISSION DETAILS:
Paper Length:                  5000 words maximum
Submission Date:               June 28, 1996
Notification of Acceptance:    August 1, 1996
Final Papers Due:              September 15, 1996

DEMONSTRATIONS:  Software demonstrations related to the workshop
topics are also encouraged.  These may or may not be associated
with a paper being presented. Conference organisers will provide
a room where such demonstrations can be given during lunch breaks
and at other times. Lunch, exhibitions and demonstrations will
take place in the same or adjacent rooms.

Submission deadlines for software demonstrations are as for
papers, given above.

PARTICIPATION:  Beside being open to people presenting papers and
demonstrating systems, the workshop will be open to practitioners
interested in concretely applying information filtering
strategies. Workshop participants presenting a paper will,
however, qualify for a reduced conference fee. Refer to the main
conference's general information (URL below) for participation
details.

ORGANISERS:
Alan Smeaton                            Humphrey Sorensen
School of Computer Applications,        Computer Science Department,
Dublin City University,                 University College,
Dublin 9,                               Cork,
Ireland.                                Ireland.
Alan.Smeaton@CompApp.DCU.IE             sorensen@odyssey.ucc.ie
**********
III.B.2.
Fr: Louise Felicie Spiteri <SPITERI@fis.utoronto.ca>
Re: Great Lakes Conference 1996

                  THE SECOND GREAT LAKES INFORMATION
                          SCIENCE CONFERENCE
                          to be held at ...
                  The Faculty of Information Studies
                        University of Toronto
                         October 25-26, 1996

The Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, is
pleased to act as host for the Second Great Lakes Information
Science Conference. This second conference follows on the success
of Connections '95, which was initiated and hosted by the
doctoral students of the Graduate School of Library and
Information Science, University of Western Ontario.

The Great Lakes Conference is run by and for doctoral students.
The primary purpose of the conference is to serve as a forum for
doctoral students to share research, proposals, and work in
progress with faculty and other students in library and
information science.  Students are invited to submit abstracts of
their papers for peer review by August 1st, and all students are
invited to join us for the presentations.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS, CONTACT:
Louise Spiteri
E-Mail:  Connect@fis.utoronto.ca
Fax:        (416) 971-1399
Faculty of Information Studies
University of Toronto
140, St. George Street.
Toronto, ON.
M5S 3G6
Canada
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IV. PROJECTS
IV.C.1.
Re: NSF 96-85 (STIS) CfP: Speech, Text, Image, and Multimedia
    Advanced Technology Effort

STIMULATE:  Speech, Text, Image, and MULtimedia Advanced
Technology Effort

Program Solicitation
A JOINT INITIATIVE OF:
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND SIGINT TECHNOLOGY

OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

and

DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICE

DEADLINE:   SEPTEMBER 1, 1996

INTRODUCTION:  The Information, Robotics and Intelligent Systems
Division (IRIS) of the Computer and Information Science and
Engineering Directorate (CISE) of the National Science Foundation
(NSF); the Office of Research and SIGINT Technology of the
National Security Agency (NSA); the Office of Research and
Development (ORD) of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); and
the Information Technology Office (ITO) of the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA) plan to jointly support
fundamental research devoted to understanding multimodal human
communication and application of such understanding to computer
technology.

The aim of this joint initiative among NSF, NSA, ORD, and DARPA
is to accelerate the progress in information technology by
supporting new directions in research and development for
understanding human communication in multiple modalities and
languages.  Such modalities include speech, text, image, video,
gesture, facial expression, handwriting, and other means by which
humans communicate.  They also include degraded or noisy signals,
such as may result from optical character recognition (OCR) or
cellular telephones.

Technical advances in understanding human communication have so
far progressed mainly along the lines of single modalities and
single languages.  Progress in some areas has reached the point
where significant impact on the national information
infrastructure and the well-being of the nation is now possible.
Further advances, however, may require taking advantage of the
fact that most human communication takes place in more than one
modality at the same time, or may require the development of new
approaches to understanding a single modality.  Therefore, it is
important to pursue research to explore these possibilities.  In
addition, such a program of basic, scientific research is seen as
an important vehicle for the development of new talent in the
area of multimodal understanding.

TOPICS OF INTEREST:  Building on previous inter-agency efforts in
Human Language Technology (NSF 93-19) and Human Language
Resources (NSF 95-100), this initiative seeks to extend research
into multimodal human communications. In particular, proposals
are sought which seek to synthesize multidisicplinary approaches
to the processing of separate modalities or to explore new
approaches to understanding single-modality human communications.
An additional goal is to train new investigators in research on
human communications.
This initiative is focused on several areas of research: (1)
Automated processing of multimodal human communications; (2)
Discourse and dialogue phenomena for a wide variety of multimodal
tasks; (3) New algorithm paradigms or representation schemes for
processing within a modality; and (4) Multimodal architectures
that permit the separation of application functionality from
modality of user interaction. Examples follow, but are
suggestions and not restrictions of possible proposal topics:

AREA 1: Automated processing of multimodal human communications
AREA 2: Discourse and dialogue phenomena for a wide variety of
multimodal tasks
AREA 3: New algorithm paradigms or representation schemes for
processing within a modality
AREA 4: Multimodal architectures that permit the separation of
application functionality from modality of user interaction

SCOPE AND TYPE OF SUPPORT:  Proposals received under this
solicitation will be subject to all normal NSF processing,
including external review, selection criteria, and conditions of
awards.  There will be no special restrictions on research
results, except those that normally apply to NSF grants.  Namely,
NSF will conduct the review of proposals received as a result of
this announcement in accordance with their standard merit review
process and selection criteria.

In addition, a panel consisting of representatives from DARPA,
NSA, ORD, and NSF will jointly select research projects to be
funded under this initiative from among those recommended for
funding by the above NSF merit review process.  All awards will
be based on the selection criteria and themes specified in the
STIMULATE announcement.  Projects may be awarded for single or
multiple years.

PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS:  All proposals should
refer to this Program Solicitation by number (NSF 96-85), and
should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the
guidelines contained in Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 95-27, August,
1995).

Nine (9) copies of each proposal, including one bearing original
signatures, should be addressed to:
     STIMULATE
     National Science Foundation
     Proposal Processing Unit
     4201 Wilson Blvd. Room P60
     Arlington, VA 22230

One information copy should be sent to:
     Gary W. Strong, Program Director
     Interactive Systems
     National Science Foundation
     4201 Wilson Blvd. Room 1115
     Arlington, VA  22230

Proposers are encouraged to examine the NSF web site
(http://www.nsf.gov) for award abstracts on topics related to
those in which a proposal will be made.  These may be of use in
identifying work already in progress or in identifying
researchers who are actively engaged in related research.  NSF
policies and guidelines are available on the web as well.

WHO MAY APPLY:  Academic and other not-for-profit research
institutions in the United States with computer and information
science research capability are invited to submit proposals.
While proposals may involve unfunded collaboration with industry
or other agencies of the government, an academic or research
institution must be the prime research management organization
submitting the proposal.

WHEN TO SUBMIT:  Proposals submitted in response to this
solicitation must be:
(1)  received by NSF no later than 5:00PM September 1, 1996;
(2)  be postmarked no later than five (5) days prior to the
deadline date; or
(3)  be sent via commercial overnight mail no later than two (2)
days prior to the deadline date to be considered for award.

FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
     Gary W. Strong, Program Director
     Interactive Systems
     (703) 306-1928
     gstrong@nsf.gov

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  NSF information and publications are
available electronically via the World Wide Web (the URL is
http://www.nsf.gov/), via Internet Gopher (on host stis.nsf.gov),
via anonymous FTP (from ftp://stis.nsf.gov), or by sending an
email request (sent to info@nsf.gov if you don't know the
publication number or pubs@nsf.gov if you do).  You may also send
a written request to:
     NSF Forms and Publications Unit
     Room P-15
     4201 Wilson Blvd.
     Arlington, VA 22230

OMB 3145-0058
P.T.: 34
K.W.: 1004144; 1004000; 0410000
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 47.070
NSF 96-85 (New)
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