[214] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Print vs. Electronic Information
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Public-Access Computer Systems For)
Mon May 11 11:41:11 1992
Date: Mon, 11 May 1992 10:36:36 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS%UHUPVM1.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L@UHUPVM1.BITNET>
3 Messages, 104 Lines
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From: emv@msen.com (Edward Vielmetti)
Subject: Re: Print vs. Electronic Information
with regard to paper as a transient medium and printers on the side
of OPAC / CD-ROM terminals --
I've taken to bringing my HP 95 palmtop computer around with me when
I go look things up in library catalogs. The book or journal references
go right into the phone book application. Walk up to the terminal,
do the search, retype the info on the tiny keyboard, stick the 95
in my pocket and head to the stacks.
It's possible (by which I want to mean "and by no means likely") that
you could go one better and avoid retyping; the unit has a little
card slot for a PCMCIA ram card / solid-state "floppy". I suppose
that the catalog application could dump out a MARC record which the
pocket computer would load into a local version of Pro-Cite and you'd
put your ram card in the catalog machine to download it. I don't really
think it's feasible (virus problems, data formats to contend with,
wear and tear); for my purposes the retyping is ok.
sure beats paper. "you can't grep dead trees" and all that.
Edward Vielmetti, vice president for research, MSEN Inc. emv@msen.com
MSEN Inc., 628 Brooks, Ann Arbor MI 48103 +1 313 741 1120
"Dogmatic attachement to the supposed merits of a particular structure
hinders the search of an appropriate structure" -- Robert Fripp
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From: rjs4808@usl.edu (Smith Richard J)
Subject: Print vs. Electronic
Here are my thoughts on Glen Bunton's question on the paperless
society and human efficiency of using automated systems.
I work a student assistant in the computer labs for a research
university. I was appalled at the tremendous amount of paper being
printed; in many cases this printing seemed unnecessary.
For example, a novice networker might want an INTERNET address of
a certain OPAC and would print out the entire Internet Resources
Guide to satisfy that need. Occasionally, printing it out several
times; distrusting the printing queue when it did not print
immediately. This certainly is a prime example of human
inefficiency using new technologies. Instances like this would
cause many experienced and knowledgeable networkers to role their
eyes in disgust and bemoan the fact that novices had access to a
printer or start a cry for that such users be charged for such
waste.
On the other hand I also found that the same experienced users, the
ones with 24 hour access to the computer lab and spent hours of
their time at their workstation, where far from paperless. These
gurus of the network, when on their own and away from the public,
would print reams of documentation, manuals, graphic packages, and
assorted other documents; all the while knowing that the
information was available online. They knew how to efficiently use
automated systems, but this did not deter them from making use of
hardcopy sources--easily matching the paper output of their novice
counterparts.
I use a lot of paper. I also feel I am somewhat efficient using
automated systems and thus paperless.
For my studies for a comprehensive exam I would use an online
encyclopedia. Easily capturing information on behavioral,
cognitive, quantitative, developmental psychology changing easily
to biographies of Maslow, Freud, and Rogers. Something I never
would have had time to do with a printed encyclopedia.
Furthermore, I never printer this information in paper form. I was
quite satisfied to know it was available on my Universities
mainframe, and that I could access this information at school, home
or office. I was elated that I could join the floppyless society.
But that need is quite different than the dissertation I'm working
--copies, rewrites, additions--take their paper toll.
The classes I taught at the University of Pittsburgh strived to be
paperless. Email class papers, ftp documentation, communication by
email--all good teaching and learning tools, but even my threats of
seeing anyone waste paper resources probably didn't make it any
more paperless than any other class.
Networking and automated information systems has created a
paperless component of society. In the information overload I get
confused. I constantly need to search the PACS-L database for
information. What is a WAIS, UNCOVER2 usage, virtual library,
where is the latest HYTELNET software posted? I have no need of a
paper filing cabinet as long as I have access to the back files of
PACS-L.
However, I've printed out four copies of this reply from
WordPerfect to my laser printed to reread and make additions.
Richard J. Smith
University of Southwestern Louisiana
rs@usl.edu
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From: Susan.Beck@um.cc.umich.edu
I agree that human inefficiency in using info stored on automated systems
results in a much-papered society; however, as I said yesterday, I think
that we have more information to use--therefore the relative use of paper
is probably less if not paperless. (While I am completely serious here,
I can't help smiling at the words.)
