MicroComputer and Local Government

In 1976, two young Californians named Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak started a revolution. It was a quiet revolution... no shots were fired... no demonstrations occurred... there were no casualties, but it was a revolution nevertheless... a revolution that will have long-lasting results. That year these two young men developed the Apple, the first commercially successful microcomputer

Minutes of the CD-ROM Workshop

The workshop described in this document had two goals: (1) to establish guidelines for the CD-ROM as a tool to distribute datasets; and (2) to evaluate current scientific CD-ROM projects as an archive. Workshop attendees were urged to coordinate with European groups to develop CD-ROM, which is already available at low cost in the U.S., as a distribution medium for astronomical datasets. It was noted that NASA has made the CD Publisher at the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) available to the scientific community when the Publisher is not needed for NASA work. NSSDC's goal is to provide the Publisher's user with the hardware and software tools needed to design a user's dataset for distribution. This includes producing a master CD and copies. The prerequisite premastering process is described, as well as guidelines for CD-ROM construction. The production of discs was evaluated. CD-ROM projects, guidelines, and problems of the technology were discussed

The roots and early history of the British home computer market : origins of the masculine micro

Imperial Users onl

Computer bargaining in México and Brazil 1970-1990: dynamic interplay of industry and politics

Theories of host country – TNC bargaining seek to explain dependency shifts based on positional assets and relative capabilities. This analysis of the efforts of México and Brazil to promote and direct the development of a national computer industry from 1977 to 1990 reveals a bargaining landscape that is more dynamic than the traditional bargaining model anticipates. This thesis explains the variable nature of bargaining gains and losses by analysing the on-going, complex interplay of political, industry and market forces. Despite industry characteristics that favoured foreign capital, both México and Brazil achieved bargaining gains in the computer industry. Brazilian state actors enticed national finance and industrial groups to invest in the industry, prompted the development of indigenous technological capacity, and limited the market influence of computer transnationals for more than a decade. With more limited policy ambition, support and duration, México had initial success prompting TNC minority joint ventures in microcomputers and extracting concessions from the TNCs for exports. In both cases, however, bargaining gains were not secure; shifts in dependency were not progressive and one-directional. In fact, the study exposes a reverse trend toward greater dependency on foreign capital in both countries. For this reason one may not employ either case to support the obsolescing bargain in high technology industries. This thesis highlights three factors neglected by the traditional bargaining construct: the dynamism of the global computer industry which opened and close

Computer education : Ireland : a case study

The research described in this thesis is born mainly of the author's experience within the Executive Committee of the Computer Education Society of Ireland (CESI) in trying to get computing onto the curriculum of Irish Second level schools...(continues). The thesis concludes by formulating general guidelines as to why Information Technology should be introduced into the Schools Curriculum. The author insists that, only under the terms of a National Plan and adequate funding can Computer Education, or, in its wider sense, Information Technology, become a viable proposition in Irish schools. A number of recommendations are made and some areas of further research are indicated

Integrated Online Media Management Systems For Media Centers: A Model For Selection And Effective Use

The researcher proposed to advice in the selection of an Integrated Online Library System (IOLS) for use in the 103 school media centers in the Palm Beach County Schools, Florida. This was accomplished by evaluating the two finalists of those vendors who answered the district\u27s Request for Proposal (RFP). Of the five vendors who responded to the RFP. CLSI and SIRSI were selected as the systems most likely to meet the needs of the media centers of the school district. An overview and definition of IOLS was first discussed. This overview then related itself to the needs of the school district as presented in the RFP. A selection criteria was then designed from previous research on the subject to help find the ideal system. The history and development of an Integrated Online Library System was important in seeing where the systems have originated in contrast to the systems in the Eighties to the also revealed the present time. Literature IOLS principles of operation. The Request for Proposal reflected the needs assessment discussed over several years of committee meetings of representatives from various schools. The committees explored IOLS automated options and compared these options. The RFP outlined the system requirements. Thoughts on staff attitudes while planning for a system were also considered. Each system was evaluated with the criteria outlined in the RFP. The background and capabilities of both systems were explored. This exploration took place where by the benchmark tests, on-site demonstrations systems were in use daily, conferences with the vendors, systems. And reading literature reviews on both systems. Evaluation guidelines and criteria were found in library resources. The functions required for terminal access requirements, process for data conversion, vendor background and reliability, contained in these library resources. And the cost were contained in these library resources. The results of this study culminated in the official recommendation of the SIRSI to be purchased by the district\u27s school board. It was the expectation of the author of this document to see the purchase of the recommended system by the school board and have it implemented in all the schools in the district within a three year period following the submission of the recommendation

A Study of School District Administrative Computer Functions

The purpose of this study was to identify information to assist school district administrators in the development of a systems approach to the automation of district-level management. Research data included initial and current computer system(s), level of training, implementation procedures, problems encountered, information sources, future plans for upgrading, and general recommendations. State education department personnel from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota were contacted to identify seven school districts that used computers for administration in each of four student enrollment categories. The study was limited to districts which used IBM or Apple microcomputers and/or any brand of larger computer system. A questionnaire was sent to each district contact person identified. Some of the most important findings were: 1. With one exception, all districts with less than 1,499 students used only microcomputers or time-share systems. 2. Consultants from outside the district were not often used. These consultants primarily assisted with staff training, recommended hardware/software, helped identify district needs, and/or determined initial district computer functions. 3. The greatest number of physical office changes involved electrical, furniture, and telephone line improvements followed by data storage changes, air conditioner installation, and structural alterations. 4. Major start-up problems were software complexities, lack of training, staff resistance, and hardware malfunctions. 5. Major start-up recommendations involved importance of staff training, staff commitment, and good planning. 6. Apple was the most frequently used brand of microcomputer, but there was an increasing number of IBM microcomputers. Other popular equipment included Burroughs and IBM minicomputers and mainframe computers; Okidata, Epson, and Apple printers; Corvus hard disks for microcomputers; and Hayes micromodems. 7. The most popular software packages for the Apple computer were Appleworks, VisiCalc, and PFS File and for the IBM were Lotus 1-2-3 and Negotia Pak. 8. Respondents believed that microcomputers could manage files for approximately 1,500 students. This figure would vary with the types of data being processed and the types of peripherals used. The data were used to develop a computer systems profile for each of the four enrollment categories

Indigenous and institutional profile: Limpopo River Basin

River basins / Water resource management / History / Institutions / Social aspects / Legal aspects