Factors shaping the evolution of electronic documentation systems

The main goal is to prepare the space station technical and managerial structure for likely changes in the creation, capture, transfer, and utilization of knowledge. By anticipating advances, the design of Space Station Project (SSP) information systems can be tailored to facilitate a progression of increasingly sophisticated strategies as the space station evolves. Future generations of advanced information systems will use increases in power to deliver environmentally meaningful, contextually targeted, interconnected data (knowledge). The concept of a Knowledge Base Management System is emerging when the problem is focused on how information systems can perform such a conversion of raw data. Such a system would include traditional management functions for large space databases. Added artificial intelligence features might encompass co-existing knowledge representation schemes; effective control structures for deductive, plausible, and inductive reasoning; means for knowledge acquisition, refinement, and validation; explanation facilities; and dynamic human intervention. The major areas covered include: alternative knowledge representation approaches; advanced user interface capabilities; computer-supported cooperative work; the evolution of information system hardware; standardization, compatibility, and connectivity; and organizational impacts of information intensive environments

A MODEL FOR ESTIMATING THE COST TRADEOFFS ASSOCIATED WITH OPEN ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

An open systems approach (OSA), especially when used in conjunction with modular architecture, reuse, and harnessing of existing (COTS or proprietary) technologies, is commonly associated with cost avoidances resulting from: more efficient design; increased competition among suppliers; more efficient innovation and technology insertion; and modularization of qualification. However, OSA strategies require investment and may increase risk exposure. To determine if openness should be pursued, and to what degree, a quantitative model assessing the costs associated with openness is required. Previous attempts to measure openness rely on qualitative measures, and cannot be used to estimate the life cycle cost impacts of openness. The model developed in this thesis quantitatively determines the effects of openness on life cycle cost. The life cycle cost difference between two implementations with differing levels of openness was calculated for a case study of an ARCI sonar system, providing insight into the value of openness. The case study performed in this thesis provides the first known quantitative support for Abts' COTS-LIMO hypothesis that increasing CFD increases cost avoidance. However, these results challenge Henderson's implicit assumption that marginal openness is always positive (increasing openness is always beneficial)

Creating the Virtual Library

Workshop presentation paper by Jules Winterton (Associate Director and Librarian, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies) providing an understanding of the key issues to be considered in creating and managing collections of electronic resources in libraries and some background to project design, funding and management