217 lines
11 KiB
Plaintext
217 lines
11 KiB
Plaintext
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_Current_Cites_
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Volume 1, no. 5
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December 1990
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Library Technology Watch Program
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University of California, Berkeley
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Edited by David F.W. Robison
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ISSN: 1060-2356
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Contributors:
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Teri Rinne, Vivienne Roumani, Lisa Rowlison, Mark Takaro, Roy Tennant
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Hyper- and Multimedia
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Loveria, Greg and Don Kinstler "Multimedia: DVI Arrives." BYTE IBM
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Special Edition 15(11) (Fall 1990):105-108. This article discusses
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Digital Video-Interactive (DVI) technology, one of the keys to the
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development of multimedia systems. Combining sources such as
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audio CD-ROM and video disk images and using data compression
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technologies, DVI is helping multimedia to become less unwieldy in
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terms of hardware, and more versatile in its abilities to produce
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both still and motion video images. Some interesting applications
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are also mentioned.
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Ray, Kenneth and James R. Driscoll "New Directions for
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Microcomputer-based Hypertext Systems." Database 13(4) (August
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1990):60-64. This article discusses hypertext within the context of
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evolving ideas about information retrieval systems. Combining the
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potential of hypertext with advanced information retrieval concepts
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like natural language searching, the article describes using the
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SPIRIT software program (developed by computational linguistic
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researchers) to explore a database made up of the NASA Space
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Shuttle reference manual. The co-evolution of searching techniques
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and new information retrieval pathways like hypertext systems has
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potential to greatly change the way that we approach information.
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Optical Disc Technologies
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Butcher, Karyle S. "CD-ROM Report: The rewards and trials of
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networking." Database 13(4) (August 1990):103-105. This article
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provides a detailed description of a CD-ROM network at Oregon State
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University,featuring Meridian Data's CD Net product. Not only are
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some of the technical aspects discussed, but the issue of site
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licensing is also considered.
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Harvey, David A. "Optical Storage Primer." BYTE IBM Special Edition
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15(11) (Fall 1990):121-230. As the title suggests, this article
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provides a basic overview of optical storage technology. The author
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concludes thatwhile it is impossible to predict whether the optical
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disk will replacemagnetic media, it is definitely finding its way
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into a number of computers. As examples, he cites Tandy and
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Headstart systems with CD-ROM drives as standard equipment and
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IBM's CD-ROM package for its PS/2 line.
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Rogers, Michael. "CD-ROM standardization proposed by government."
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Library Journal 115(19) (November 1, 1990):67-68. This article
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discusses CD-Rx a standard to facilitate interoperability of CD-ROm
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databases among all operating systems, CD-ROM drives,
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access/retrieval programs, and user interfaces, proposed by the
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Information Handling Committee of the U.S. Intelligence Committee.
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"State of the Art: Magnetic vs. Optical." BYTE 15(2) (November
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1990):272-338. BYTE devotes an entire section of this issue to
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what it deems one of the hottest debates in the computer industry:
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will optical media replace magnetic media? Among the ten articles
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comprising this section is David Harvey's "State of the Media," which
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looks at the advantages and disadvantages of each technology and
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explores the possibilities of hybrid technologies combining the good
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points of each. Other articles discuss the newest optical
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technologies on the horizon, including holographic data storage and
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phase change, which merges the capacity of magneto-optical storage
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with a performance better than that of traditional optical storage.
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Networks and Networking
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Cisler, Steve "An Essay on the Openness of the Networks, Electronic
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Free Speech, and the Security of Computers." Online 14(6)(November
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1990):101-104. One of the hot topics of networking is security and
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privacy, as well as freedom of information. Cisler, of the Apple
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Computer Library, brings up some of these issues. In addition, he
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describes some of the pioneering work in these areas by Clifford
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Stoll (author of "The Cuckoos Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze
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of Computer Espionage"), the developer of LOTUS 1-2- 3 (Mitch
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Kapor), and others. Of note is the online discussion at the WELL-
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Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link called the Electronic Frontier Foundation
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(eff@well.sf.ca.us).
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Library Perspectives on the NREN : the National Research and
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Education Network / edited by Carol A. Parkhurst. Chicago : Library
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and Information Technology Association, 1990. Although the
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legislation to establish the NREN did not pass before Congress
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adjourned, it should be back next session. In the meantime, libraries
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and librarians can become a more integral part of the planning
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process. This LITA monograph provides the background information.
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Lynch, Clifford A. and Cecilia M. Preston "Internet Access to
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Information Resources." Annual Review of Information Science and
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Technology 25 (1990):263-312. This article provides a lengthy
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description of the history of networked resources as well as the
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situation today. Also included are a discussion of standards and
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protocols and a compleat bibliography.
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Raeder, Aggi W. and Karen L. Andrews "Searching Library Catalogs on
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the Internet: a survey." Database Searcher 6(7)(September 1990):
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16-31. This article describes the advantages and occasional
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frustrations of logging on to remote library catalogs. There are also
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ample instructions for doing so and a survey of accessible catalogs.
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Expert Systems
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Page, Mary. "Librarian Ex Machina 4.0." LITA Newsletter, 11(42) (Fall
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1990):8-10. For those of us who missed it, this report summarizes
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the papers delivered at the 1990 ALA LITA session titled: Librarian
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Ex Machina 4.0: Planning for Expert Systems.
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Penrose, Roger. The Emperor's New Mind. Oxford University Press,
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1989. Within this book, two chapters are of particular interest.
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Chapter 1: "Can a Computer have a Mind?" discusses what it would
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mean to say that computers can think. Incorporated with this is a
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necessary discussion of the major philosophical issues behind the
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problem of computer 'intelligence.' Also, chapter 9: "Real Brains and
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Model Brains" discusses the functional nature of real brains and
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suggests a logical similarity to model (computer) brains. Some very
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interesting connections between the two are given especially with
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respect to the idea of "quantum computers." Read and be amazed.
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Stern, David. "Artificial Intelligence Databases: A Survey and
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Comparison." Database 13(4) (August 1990):19-24. Mr. Stern roots
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out the most useful online databases for searching for AI material.
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Among these are: INSPEC, SUPERTECH, COMPUSCIENCE, COMPENDEX. He
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discusses availability of these databases (some are available via
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DIALOG) as well as giving a relatively detailed description of each
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database, including some hints on searching.
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Information Transfer
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Garcia, Linda. "Information Exchange: The Impact of Scholarly
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Communication."EDUCOM Review 25(3) (Fall 1990):28-32. This
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article raises issues concerning intellectual property rights and
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reviews a study completed by the Office of Technology Assessment
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(OTA) called "Intellectual Property Rights in an Age of Electronics
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and Information." It suggests that the University environment in
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particular should seriously consider these issues since the
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University is the producer, user, and distributor of information. We
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are left with the question of "what role do we want the University
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to play in an information age?"
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Hart, Michael S. "Project Gutenberg: Access to Electronic Texts."
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Database 13(6) (December 1990):6-9. Through a particular project,
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Gutenberg, designed to encourage the creation and distribution of
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electronic texts, the author discusses the issues of access to
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electronic texts, benefits, methods, and trends.
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Sten, Mark. "Assessing Electronic Image Technology." Computers in
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Libraries 10(9) (October 1990):37-39. Sten discusses the
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capabilities, advantages and disadvantages of electronic imaging; he
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raises questions regarding the viability of the paperless society, and
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electronic imaging in general: are the benefits real or imaginary?
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Welsch, Erwin K. "Microcomputers and Workstations in Libraries:
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Trends and Opportunities." Computers in Libraries 10(9) (October
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1990):9-14. Welsch attempts to define "workstation", he gives us a
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little history and functions of the workstation, and asks humanists
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in various institutions to contribute to the definition. In so doing he
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touches on trends and implications of information access and
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delivery.
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General
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Science and Technology Libraries 11(1)(Fall 1990). Issue devoted to
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electronic information systems in sci-tech Libraries, but the issues
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are relevant for all libraries. Includes such chapters as: "Electronic
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Delivery of Information via a Campus-Wide Network," "Using the
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Internet to Access CARL and other Electronic Information Systems,"
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and "Re-Inventing the Library"(!)
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Desmarais, Norman. "Computers 1, Intelligence 0: Is Automation
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Making Us Lazy and Stupid?" Computers in Libraries 10(8) (Sept.
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1990):43-45. I don't know, but I'm too lazy and stupid to care.
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News Bits
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Stephens, Mary "ANS Inc. Announcement." Protocol Newsletter 26
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(November 1990):[p.3]. The formation of Advanced Network and
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Services was announced by IBM and MCI in September. The two
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giants are joining forces with others to create an advanced network
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system that is intended to complement the NREN.
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Meckler introduced two new periodicals on networks and networking:
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Research & Education Networking, a monthly newsletter, and
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Research Networking and Information Systems, a journal. Articles
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in the first issue of the newsletter (October 1990) include an
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interview with Paul Evan Peters, Director of the Coalition for
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Networked Information.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------
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Current Cites 1(5)(1990) ISSN: 1060-2356
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Copyright (C) 1992 by the Library, University of
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California, Berkeley. All rights reserved.
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Copying is permitted for noncommercial use by computerized
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bulletin board/conference systems, individual scholars, and
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libraries. Libraries are authorized to add the journal to their
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collections at no cost. This message must appear on copied
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material. All commercial use requires permission from the editor,
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who may be reached in the following ways:
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drobison@library.berkeley.edu // drobison@ucblibra // (510)642-7600
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