+ Page 1 + ----------------------------------------------------------------- Public-Access Computer Systems News January 23, 1992 Volume 3, Number 2 ISSN 1050-6004 Editors: Dana Rooks (LIBL@UHUPVM1) and Charles W. Bailey, Jr. (LIB3@UHUPVM1). Issued on an irregular basis by University Libraries, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-2091. ----------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS RLG Will Provide Access to UMI/Data Courier Databases, 1 Blackwell and CARL will Develop System Links, 2 NOTIS Previews GUI OPAC Interface at Midwinter, 2 Update on EFF Activities, 3 RLG WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO UMI/DATA COURIER DATABASES UMI/Data Courier and the Research Libraries Group (RLG) announce an agreement to offer fixed-cost access to several of UMI/Data Courier's most popular databases. By spring of 1992, searchers on RLIN will be able to access ABI/INFORM, Newspaper Abstracts, Periodical Abstracts, and Dissertation Abstracts for a fixed annual fee. As part of the agreement, RLG and UMI will offer users access to full-text article delivery of UMI's Article Clearinghouse collection of 12,500 titles. Delivery options include first-class mail, express courier, fax, and Ariel, RLG's new proprietary document-delivery system that enables high-resolution image transmission over the Internet. For more information, contact the RLIN Information Center, e-mail BL.RIC@RLG (BITNET) or BL.RIC@RLG.STANFORD.EDU (Internet). + Page 2 + BLACKWELL AND CARL WILL DEVELOP SYSTEM LINKS Blackwell North America and CARL Systems, Inc. have announced a system development effort that will make several Blackwell services accessible through the CARL system in 1992: o Access to Blackwell's NTO (New Titles Online) database enriched with abstracts and tables of contents. o Electronic ordering of materials from both Blackwell North America and B. H. Blackwell Ltd. o Electronic distribution of LC MARC cataloging enhanced with tables of contents and processed through Blackwell's authority control system. o An interface to CARL's System Authority Control Module that will provide several services, including retrospective conversion, immediate updating of new records, and maintenance of CARL files in constant accordance with current LC practice. The Internet will be used to connect systems from the two vendors. For further information, contact: CARL Systems, Inc., 3801 E. Florida Ave., Bldg. D, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80222, (303) 758-3030. NOTIS PREVIEWS GUI OPAC INTERFACE AT MIDWINTER NOTIS Systems, Inc. will be demonstrating a prototype graphical user interface (GUI) to its OPAC at the 1992 ALA Midwinter Conference. The ProPac prototype runs under Microsoft Windows. For further information, contact: Stuart W. Miller, NOTIS Systems, Inc, 1007 Church Street, Evanston, IL 60201-3622, (708) 866-0171. + Page 3 + UPDATE ON EFF ACTIVITIES The Electronic Frontier Foundation is currently advocating that: o Congress establish an open telecommunications platform featuring Personal ISDN. o The open platform be created with legislative safeguards that ensure a level playing field for all those competing in the information services market. o The NREN serve as a testbed for new voice, data, and video services that will eventually be offered over our National Public Network. o Electronic bulletin boards be afforded the same First Amendment protections enjoyed by other media. o Citizens who use computers for communications purposes be afforded the full protection of the Fourth Amendment. o An Electronic Freedom of Information Act be passed that will grant citizens access to the electronic version of public information consistent with the public's right to know. Technical means be mandated to insure the privacy of personal communications carried over cellular and other radio-based communications systems. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is also a co-sponsor (along with the Consumer Federation of American and the ACLU) and the principal coordinator of the Communications Policy Forum, which is designed to explore the means for achieving the communications goals of consumer organizations. Over 28 consumer groups, from the OMB Watch to the NAACP participate in forum activities. The Communications Policy Forum is funded by foundations as well as a diverse group of computer and communications firms. + Page 4 + The Electronic Frontier Foundation, with offices in Cambridge and Washington, was established a year and a half ago by Mitchell Kapor, who started the Lotus Development Corporation, and John Perry Barlow. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (C) 1992 by the University Libraries, University of Houston. 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