Information Retrieval List Digest 323 (September 9, 1996) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/irld/irld-323 IRLIST Digest ISSN 1064-6965 September 9, 1996 Volume XIII, Number 36 Issue 323 ********************************************************** II. JOBS 1. Camber Corporation: Information Management Specialist 2. US Institute of Peace: Computer System Librarian III. NOTICES A. Publications 1. Producer's Masterguide 2. JASIS ToC: October 1996 3. FARNET's Washington Update B. Meetings 1. DTIC'96 Conference 2. 1996 GILS Conference C. Miscellaneous 1. Simple Information Retrieval Software 2. Participatory WWW DB Development: Agriculture 3. Hybrid Query Processor Beta Test Invitation IV. PROJECTS D. Initiatives & Proposals 1. Digital Objects Identifiers 2. NSF/ASA: Seeking Research Proposals ********************************************************** II. JOBS II.1. Fr: Richard Feldman Re: Camber Corporation: Information Management Specialist INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Camber Corporation, under contract to the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, a research facility for the U.S. Department of Transportation, seeks an Information Management Specialist to plan, implement, and support automated systems and new technologies for the Technical Reference Center (TRC). Familiarity with current library and office automation practices, including bibliographic information processing, accessing and developing Internet-based information resources, database management and telecommunications is required. Experience in training, creating documentation and/or providing technical support for MS-DOS and Windows computers, networks and software. Proven ability to learn new software and technologies and to assist software users at different skill levels. Other duties include data gathering and validation for a transportation statistical publication, research support and participation in library staff operations. QUALIFICATIONS: BS/BA or equivalent in information technology or related discipline and at least 3 years of providing technical support to others in the use of networked applications, electronic research tools, and database systems in an automated library, information center, or similar information-intensive environment. Preference given to candidates with experience with Novell, DataTrek, Prism (OCLC), DIALOG, CD-ROM interfaces and Internet searching and web page authoring. Camber Corporation offers a competitive salary and an attractive benefits program. Interested persons should send a resume and cover letter to: Susan Dresley/DTS-930 Technical Reference Center Camber Corporation 55 Broadway Cambridge, MA 02142 dresley@volpe3.dot.gov TEL: (617)494-2117 FAX: (617)494-3125 ********** II.2. Fr: Margarita Studemeister Re: US Institute of Peace: Computer System Librarian The United States Institute of Peace, a federal non profit corporate entity engaged in international conflict resolution research, training, and outreach, seeks a librarian to manage the library's computer systems and Internet activities, participate in collection development, and assist in reference services. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have an ALA accredited MLS degree; should be knowledgeable with various computer platforms, applications and protocols, including DOS, Windows, and Macintosh in a networked environment, and the Internet, including HTML programming, CD-ROM and integrated library systems; and skilled use of commercial databases such as Dialog and Lexis/Nexis. Should have knowledge/experience with collections and acquisitions, technical and public services; and have demonstrated skill in interpersonal communications, and ability to work in a team setting. Salary and scope of duties and responsibilities commensurate with experience and qualifications. Send letter and resume addressing qualification requirements to: Vacancy #60705, USIP, 1550 M St. NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005. EOE. ********************************************************** III. NOTICES III.A.1. Fr: Heather Boyles Re: FARNET's Washington Update FARNET's Washington Update --- September 6, 1996 IN THIS ISSUE: o Update on Universal Service proceedings o Follow-up to last week's Bell Atlantic report on Internet traffic on the PSTN >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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 ********** III.A.2. Fr: Richard Hill Re: JASIS TOC, October, 1996 Journal of the American Society for Information Science JASIS: VOLUME 47, NUMBER 10 OCTOBER 1996 CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE Bert R. Boyce 729 RESEARCH Source-Item Production Laws for the Case That Items Have Multiple Sources with Fractional Counting of Credits L. Egghe 730 Filtered Document Retrieval with Frequency-Sorted Indexes Michael Persin, Justin Zobel, and Ron Sacks-Davis 749 Inter-Record Linkage Structure in a Hypertext Bibliographic Retrieval System Dietmar Wolfram 765 Journal Production and Journal Impact Factors Ronald Rousseau and Guido Van Hooydonk 775 BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS Linguistic Laws and Computer Programs Peter Kokol and Tatjana Kokol 781 Expertise and the Perception of Shape in Information Andrew Dillon and Dille Schaap 786 BOOK REVIEWS At the Crossroads: Librarians on the Information Superhighway, by Herbert S. White Charles H. Davis 789 Fril--Fuzzy and Evidential Reasoning in Artificial Intelligence, by J. F. Baldwin, T. P. Martin, and B. W. Pilsworth Nikola Kasabov 790 Electric Words: Dictionaries, Computers, and Meanings, by Yorick A. Wilks, Brian M. Slator, and Louise M. Guthrie Julian Warner 791 Finding Government Information on the Internet, edited by John Maxymuk Deborah Hunt 792 Measuring Information: An Information Services Perspective, by Jean Tague-Sutcliffe Robert Losee 794 Information Management for the Intelligent Organization: The Art of Scanning the Environment, by Chun Wei Choo Kenneth G. Madden 795 Contextual Media: Multimedia and Interpretation, edited by Edward Barrett and Marie Redmond Julia Gelfand 796 Learning Networks: A Field Guide to Teaching and Learning Online, by Linda Harasim, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Lucio Teles, and Murray Turoff Robert Wittorf 797 Richard Hill Executive Director, American Society for Information Science 8720 Georgia Avenue, Suite 501 Silver Spring, MD 20910 FAX: (301) 495-0810 Voice: (301) 495-0900 rhill@cni.org http://www.asis.org ********** III.A.3. Fr: Rene Ash Re: Producer's Masterguide WELCOME TO THE CYBER GUIDE OF THE WORLD-WIDE ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION INDUSTRY! The Producer's Masterguide now in its 16th edition, invites you to visit their website at: http://www.producers.masterguide.com It is the Exclusive International Production Manual for Motion Picture, Broadcast-Television, Commercials, Cable & Videotape Industries. Industry professionals, educators, researchers, librarians consult it daily. **** ISBN: 0-935744-15-0 **** ISSN: 0732-6653 **** Library of Congress# 83-641703. The Producer's Masterguide also offers "Spectrocom Global Media Links" The Hitchhikers-Guide to the Entertainment Production Industry, Encompassing the World of Production with nearly 600 Hyper-Links & over 100,000 Sub-Links ...and Growing!!! The site also offers "Ask The Experts" - a world-wide network of experts that will answer any entertainment production related questions FREE OF CHARGE. Thank You, Sam Bension The Publisher ********** III.B.1. Fr: Marie O'Mara Re: DTIC'96 Conference CALL FOR PARTICIPATION -- DTIC '96 The 22nd Defense Technical Information Center's Annual Users and Training Conference 4-7 November 1996 DoubleTree Hotel National Airport 300 Army Navy Dr Arlington, VA Visit the DTIC Home Page at http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/conference.html Early Registration Deadline: 16 October 1996 A wide variety of outstanding speakers and exhibits have been brought together to bring you up to date on the latest developments in the field of information. See what we have that will help you meet the increasingly difficult challenges you face operating in the rapidly changing DoD environment. Hear what the leaders in our field have to say about new tools, techniques, and how security issues are being addressed. Get it from the source as DTIC staff members brief on new and enhanced services and demonstrate new products for you. Visit the DTIC Home Page for additional information on the DTIC'96 Program. The site contains information on the agenda, hotel, tours, and registration. ********** III.B.2. Fr: Marie O'Mara Re: 1996 GILS Conference 1996 GILS CONFERENCE National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD November 13 & 14, 1996 Purpose -- The conference is intended to bring together the diverse communities that have an interest in the Government Information Locator Service (GILS), and provide a convenient forum for discussing its strengths, weaknesses, and future directions. The conference will highlight various GILS applications, such as the U.S. Federal GILS, and the lessons learned in their development and maintenance. Intended Audience -- Users of GILS, Intermediaries for GILS, Implementors of GILS Applications (whether state, local, regional, national, or international), Implementors of GILS Software, Information Advocacy Organizations and Associations, U.S. Federal government employees representing FOIA, information technology, library, records management, program, or public affairs offices. Vendors are welcome. Agenda -- The two-day conference will examine critical issues and provide varying perspectives on GILS. Keynote speeches and panel discussions will provide an overview of GILS status and directions, and technical and management sessions will provide more in-depth coverage of selected issues. Demonstration booths will provide examples of GILS applications and tools. The full conference agenda is available on the GILS Conference website at http://www.dtic.mil/gils/ . Registration -- The conference is free of cost, but bring ideas to share. Register via the conference website listed above, or call the National Archives and Records Administration at 301-713-7100, ext. 255 to register by phone. Advance registration is required. Detailed logistics and additional background information are available via the conference website. Sponsorship -- The 1996 GILS Conference has been organized by a program committee reporting to the U.S. Federal GILS oversight working group, which supports the U.S. Federal GILS Board. The National Archives and Records Administration is graciously providing administrative support and hosting the conference. The conference website has been provided by the Defense Technical Information Center. ********** III.C.1. Fr: Gene O'Regon Re: Simple Information Retrieval Software Hi. For many years, academics, researchers and writers have been using SquareNote software as a full-text retrieval tool. It is very simple software, with few bells and whistles. It runs on any IBM-compatible PC. SquareNote3.5 is free -- you can download it at "http://sqn.com" or get more information at "sqn35net@sqn.com". Simple retrieval software is often the tool of choice for smaller retrieval situations, especially where relatively untrained clerks are doing most of the work. Gene ********** III.C.2. Fr: Gerry McKiernan Re: Participatory WWW Database Development: Agriculture Participatory Development of a WWW Database Agriculture (S) In an effort to incorporate the most relevant agriculturally- related Web Reference resources within the CyberStacks(sm) collection, we have established this a site to obtain user preferences for those categories that are of greatest collective interest. We invite users to select from categories and subcategories of topics found within the hypertext outline of the Library of Congress classification schedule for Agriculture (S) below. Agriculture (General) S Plant Culture SB Forestry SD Animal Culture SF Aquaculture, Fisheries, & Angling SH Hunting SK Users are requested to simulate the selection of topics that could meet an information need in some field of Agriculture. While NO resources are incorporated within these categories and subcategories at this time, the aggregate selection of topics by all users during the month of September will greatly assist in identifying the subject categories that users most desire. This aggregate selection of categories and subcategories will be monitored from log reports. At the beginning of October, the cumulative activity will be compiled and used as a guideline for selecting specific resources from the CyberStacks(sm) Title Index for priority incorporation within the CyberStacks(sm) collection. Participants are encourage to select resources at those times that they seek a specific information Reference resource in the field of Agriculture, acting as though they were involved with a real search of the CyberStacks(sm) collection. User participation in the further development of CyberStacks(sm) is greatly appreciated! The URL for this site is: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~CYBERSTACKS/S/Agri.htm Regards, Gerry McKiernan Curator, CyberStacks(sm) Iowa State University Ames IA 50011 gerrymck@iastate.edu http://www.public.iastate.edu/~CYBERSTACKS/ ********** III.C.3. Fr: Diane Hopkins Re: Hybrid Query Processor Beta Test Invitation For anyone interested in testing text retrieval software: The consortium is a collaboration between several software companies prominent in text retrieval and the University of Waterloo. You can learn more about the background on this project and the partners by visiting the same website listed below, or contacting the person named at the end of this message. The Canadian Strategic Software Consortium (CSSC) is pleased to announce that the first of its three planned Hybrid Query Processor (HQP) Demonstration Software Pilots is now available for public viewing. The Pilot site can be reached by using a WWW browser (preferably Netscape 1.1 or greater) to reach http://www.cssc.ca. Once you are there, choose the Beta Test Sites icon and then the UofW Pilot. As you are aware the CSSC project is attempting to create software technology that will permit the extension of database management technology to text-intensive data; produce working prototypes that are based on these new technologies; apply the working technology to several large-scale real-world problems; and present the research and the technology in forums that are appropriate to the establishment of technical standards. Please, take our demonstration software for a test drive and tell your colleagues about it as well. David Dawson E-mail: ddawson@cssc.ca Project Manager Ph.#: 613-238-8197 Canadian Strategic Software Consortium Fax#: 613-238-3770 785 Carling Avenue URL: http://www.cssc.ca Ste. 900 Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5H4 ********************************************************** IV. PROJECTS IV.D.1. Fr: Paul Evan Peters Re: Digital Objects Identifiers CONTACT: Judith Platt: 202-232-3335, ext. 229 jplatt@publishers.org Washington, D.C. September 9, 1996 TEAM SELECTED TO DEVELOP DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER SYSTEM FOR PUBLISHING INDUSTRY The Association of American Publishers (AAP) today announced selection of the team that will develop a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) system for use by the publishing industry. The team, comprising R.R. Bowker, a division of Reed Elsevier, Inc., and the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI), was chosen following a competitive bidding process initiated last spring as part of AAP's all-out effort to promote development of systems for managing copyright in the digital environment. Copyright management is seen as the key to successful commercial use of the Internet by the publishing industry. The DOI project is the outgrowth of a year-long AAP initiative to identify the needs of the publishing industry to facilitate safe and successful commercial ventures on the Internet and in other networked environments. AAP's initial research revealed a fundamental need for a unique, unambiguous way to identify digital materials-- a type of "electronic license plate" for a "digital vehicle" traveling the information superhighway. The Digital Object Identifier system will serve that purpose. The Bowker/CNRI team will focus on three key areas during the first year: developing a numbering system for identifying digital objects created by publishers; creating an agency for assigning publisher numbers; and developing a network-based directory to link digital objects to their publisher. DOIs will be made accessible via a high-speed computer system developed by CNRI--a scalable, distributed system on the Internet, with open interfaces, allowing information about digital material to be retrieved almost instantaneously. R.R. Bowker will establish the agency for making publisher numbers and other related information available to any and all publishers. Since the DOI system uses open standards, publishers and other companies can build their own products and services based around DOIs. AAP President Nicholas Veliotes said that "In selecting the team to develop a DOI system, AAP is taking a major step forward in the search for viable, effective copyright management in the electronic environment. Our members see this as a top priority as the publishing industry positions itself for the new Century." Robert Badger (Springer Verlag NY), a member of AAP's Enabling Technologies Committee and head of its DOI task force, pointed out: "For people to buy and sell information on the Internet, the publishing community needs two things which this announcement sets in motion. First, we need a simple way to identify which piece of information is being purchased; that's what the number does. Second, we need an easy way for the reader to get current information about the digital object--and this system will accomplish that by directing the reader's question immediately to the right place in the publishing organization. It's more than just a Universal Product Code for information; it's a market-making mechanism." Robert Kahn, President of CNRI and a recognized pioneer in the development of the Internet, said "We are delighted that our technology was selected for this important application. It will provide a key component of the global information infrastructure and can serve as a model for information access across many sectors of the economy." R.R. Bowker's Publisher Peter Simon noted that "As the organization that runs the ISBN Agency in the United States, and the publisher of key tools for locating published materials (including the preeminent Books in Print database), we are very pleased to be contributing our experience and expertise to creating new standards for digital materials and facilitating commerce on the Internet for the publishing industry." The Association of American Publishers is the principal trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry. Its members publish hardcover and paperback books in every field, including general fiction and non-fiction, poetry, children's books, textbooks, Bibles, reference works, scientific, medical, technical, professional, and scholarly books and journals, and a range of educational materials for the elementary, secondary, postsecondary and professional markets. AAP members also produce computer software and electronic products and services, including online databases and CD-ROM. Among AAP's primary concerns is the protection of intellectual property rights at home and abroad, in all media. R.R. Bowker, a division of Reed Elsevier, Inc., is one of the foremost U.S. bibliographic publishers, providing reference information to libraries, booksellers, and publishers since 1872. Its Books in Print database is currently available in hard copy, CD-ROM, tape & site license, and online. In addition, Bowker is the independent agent in the U.S. for the International ISBN and SAN systems. The ISBN is an identification system for books and other media which allows for order processing by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers and distributors. DOI project contact at Bowker is Maureen Adamson, Vice President, Business Development--(908) 665-2856; madamson@reedref.com. The Corporation for National Research Initiatives is an internationally recognized leader in information technology research and development, with particular strength in networking, large-scale information systems, and digital object infrastructure. A non-profit organization formed in 1986 to foster research and development for a national information infrastructure, CNRI has, since its inception, been actively engaged in the establishment of open, non-proprietary technological approaches for networked systems. DOI project contact at CNRI is Constance McLindon, Director, System Deployment--(703) 620-8990; mclindon@cnri.reston.va.us. ********** IV.D.2. Fr: Klein_D Re: NSF/ASA: Seeking Research Proposals The National Science Foundation (NSF) and American Statistical Association (ASA) are seeking proposals for on-site research during the 1997-98 academic year at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). An important goal of BLS is to improve its information dissemination processes. Relevant research projects might include: task analysis of the information-seeking behavior of a wide range of users (e.g., students, newspaper reporters, financial analysts, and academic researchers), the development of end-user models, useful categorization and indexing schemes and methods for thesaurus-building, interfaces that facilitate interactive information-seeking, and better usability testing methods. Since BLS developed its first prototype system for providing public access to its databases via the Internet, it has been aware of the scarcity of user-oriented research relevant to the design of interactive systems for finding, extracting, and understanding statistical information. A research interest in the human computer interaction of information seeking is pertinent to the goal of improving and expanding public access to important government statistics such as the unemployment rate, Consumer Price Index, average wages, and current and projected employment by occupation, especially as BLS and other Federal statistical agencies work towards a "one-stop shopping" Internet service for Federal statistics. (The BLS home page is at http://stats.bls.gov.) Some of the issues with which we are struggling are: How do we help someone unfamiliar with the decentralized US statistical system find the appropriate agency database? How do we help someone interested in wage and salary income understand the definitional differences between income collected in the Current Population Survey and the Consumer Expenditure Survey, earnings collected in the Current Population Survey and the Occupational Compensation Survey (i.e., link survey metadata and data)? How do we promote public understanding and appropriate usage of statistical estimates from a sample survey (e.g., the use of standard error estimates and confidence intervals)? BLS has a Behavioral Science Research Center (BSRC) with several laboratory interview rooms, including one set-up for usability testing. Our behavioral science staff of over 20 cognitive, educational, and experimental psychologists, sociologists, and an anthropologist includes several conducting research on the design of computer-assisted survey information collection (CASIC) systems and the usability testing of both CASIC and Internet systems. Recent and current ASA/NSF/BLS Senior Research Fellows have developed a software tool to allow CASIC questionnaire designers without any formal programming skills to prototype their questionnaires on computer (Irv Katz from ETS), examined the use of standardized vs. nonstandardized interviewing procedures (Michael Schober from the New School for Social Research), and designed interactive methods for graphical display using JAVA (Dan Carr from George Mason University.) (An annotated bibliography of research papers written by BLS staff can be found at http://stats.bls.gov:80/orehome.htm.) Appointments to the ASA/NSF/BLS Senior Research Fellowship program can be very flexible. Fellows can work full time for six months or only one or two days a week for a longer period. Some have worked 2 consecutive summers or for 1-2 weeks each month. Salaries are commensurate with qualifications and experience. Arrangements are usually made with a Fellow s permanent employer to maintain previous fringe benefits. If you are interested in applying to the program, see the information provided in the brochure at http://stats.bls.gov:80/orefell.htm or send e-mail to Fellowprg@bls.gov or call (202) 606-7377. Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential proposals with BLS staff prior to submission since the need for conducting the research on-site at BLS is an important element of the selection criteria and continued NSF support. The application deadline is January 17, 1997. ********************************************************** IRLIST Digest is distributed from the University of California, Division of Library Automation, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA. 94612-3550. Send subscription requests and submissions to: NCGUR@UCCMVSA.UCOP.EDU Editorial Staff: Clifford Lynch calur@uccmvsa.ucop.edu Nancy Gusack ncgur@uccmvsa.ucop.edu The IRLIST Archives is set up for anonymous FTP. 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