LINGUIST List 8.540

Fri Apr 18 1997

FYI: Answerometer, Library, New video

Editor for this issue: T. Daniel Seely <seelylinguistlist.org>


Directory

  • Danko Sipka, Answerometer
  • Chris Stephens, Beyond the Library
  • archer, New video in the U. of California series on communication

    Message 1: Answerometer

    Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 21:56:12 +0200 (MET DST)
    From: Danko Sipka <sipkadanhum.amu.edu.pl>
    Subject: Answerometer


    In the anonymous ftp archive:

    ftp.amu.edu.pl/pub/Serbo-Croat alias: math.amu.edu.pl/pub/Serbo-Croat

    in the file ameter.zip

    I made available Answerometer, a simple program to measure if a decision task has been completed correctly and what was reaction time.

    It is given as a compiled DOS program (am.exe) and C++ source code (am.cpp).

    The program takes two ascii files (to be compiled by the experimenter): intro.txt (one screen instruction how to complete a task), and quest.txt with the lines of the following structure:

    001yQuestion you want to ask

    The first three characters are reserved for the question code, the fourth for the correct answer, and the rest of it is the question which appears on the screen.

    The output of the program (result.txt) is a list of lines of the following structure:

    subject's code|question code|correct or not|reaction time

    for example:

    joeshmoe|001|1|123

    where 1 in the third column stands for correct, and 0 for incorrect answer, and the time in the fourth column is given in hundredths of second.

    This table can then be imported into any spreadsheet and/or statistical program (like SPSS, SAS, etc.) to analyze the results.

    Polish examples for intro.txt and quest.txt are provided.

    Danko Sipka

    Message 2: Beyond the Library

    Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 14:52:55 +0100 (BST)
    From: Chris Stephens <christopher.stephenscomputing-services.oxford.ac.uk>
    Subject: Beyond the Library


    BEYOND THE LIBRARY

    A One-Day Colloquium Organised by the Humanities Computing Unit, University of Oxford

    16 May 1997, Habbakuk Room, Jesus College, Oxford *****************************

    PROGRAMME

    *****************************

    How are the new technologies changing the roles of libraries and librarians? How do we cater for the ever changing needs of the users? How do we design the library of the future? What exactly is meant by the 'digital library'?

    Following on from last year's 'Beyond the Classroom' this one-day colloquium will address these and similar questions. Our aim is to bring together both practitioners and visionaries in an attempt to tackle both the practical and the theoretical implications of using the new technologies in the library. Digital technologies are already being enthusiastically applied in such areas as archiving, cataloguing, and expanding the holdings of a library. They seem to offer unique advantages and opportunities. However, the organisational implications of this rush to "be digital" are often overlooked.

    The day will consist of formal presentations, with ample time for discussion, which we hope will be lively and stimulating. The programme of the day is as follows:

    9.15-9.30 Registration

    9.30-9.45 Welcome Lou Burnard, Manager of the Humanities Computing Unit, Oxford University Computing Services

    9.45-10.30 'The Digital Library: Issues and Priorities - A View from the British Library Research and Innovation Centre' Graham Jefcoate, Research Analyst, British Library's Research and Innovation Centre

    10.30-11.00 Coffee

    11.00-11.45 'A Virtual Impossibility: Planning Libraries for the Information Age' Andrew McDonald, Director of Information Services, University of Sunderland

    11.45-12.30 'Who has the Rights? Copyright and Digital Resources' Anne Ramsden, De Montfort University

    12.30-2.00 Lunch (Not provided)

    2.00-2.45 'The Electronic Library: Tough Choices in Utopia' Phil Sykes, Learning Resources Manager, Liverpool John Moores University

    2.45-3.30 'Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow: A Profession in Crisis?' Frances Hendrix, Director, LASER (London and South Eastern Library Region)

    3.30-3.45 Coffee

    3.45-4.30 Panel Session

    ABSTRACTS

    'The Digital Library: Issues and Priorities - A View from the British Library Research and Innovation Centre' Graham Jefcoate, Research Analyst, British Library's Research and Innovation Centre

    This talk will address some of the current issues in digital library research and attempt to identify priorities for the next phase. The rapid development of networked information delivered to users directly through their desktops clearly challenges the traditional role of libraries as a physical space and of librarians as information professionals. How can libraries meet the challenge by adding value to networked information? How can services adapt? What skills will information professionals need? What cultural shifts are necessary? Using the example of Britain's national library, and the Research and Innovation Centre's digital library research programme, the talk will attempt to describe some of the ways in which libraries are seeking to meet the challenge.

    'A Virtual Impossibility: Planning Libraries for the Information Age' Andrew McDonald, Director of Information Services, University of Sunderland

    Provision for information technology is a crucial element in planning good academic libraries and resource centres. Far from reducing the need for libraries, IT has had the effect of stimulating demand for both electronic and traditional services. Ironically, it has also increased the cost and space required. The ultimate challenge might be regarded as having a PC with access to all the necessary network links at any point in the building. The paper will consider the host of technological and human factors that are important in creating a flexible and attractive environment in which readers and library staff can fully benefit from developments in IT and networking.

    'Who has the Rights? Copyright and Digital Resources' Anne Ramsden, De Montfort University

    We have the technology to integrate the many different kinds of media needed by the digital library. We also have both the electronic communications and intellectual understanding to make this operate. Having spent some years actually building a digital short-loan collection we have found that it is not technology or communications which take the time and effort, but negotiating the rights to use materials which are still in copyright. This presentation will offer some insights from the practicalities of building the ELINOR electronic library and will also report on the progress of the E-Lib funded ERCOMS project which is defining the components of an electronic copyright management system and building a tool to handle copyright negotiations with publishers.

    'The Electronic Library: Tough Choices in Utopia' Phil Sykes, Learning Resources Manager, Liverpool John Moores University

    Politicians, policy makers and the public have a naively optimistic view of the internet,sharply at odds with the opinions of those whose work obliges them to face the practicalities of making information available electronically. This paper sets out some of the utopian assumptions commonly made about electronic delivery of information, argues that unrealistic expectations inhibit progress towards practical solutions, and shows that there are fundamental conflicts of interest between the various "stakeholders" in the electronic publishing process which can only be resolved by patient and pragmatic negotiation.

    'Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow: A Profession in Crisis?' Frances Hendrix, Director, London & Southern Eastern Library Region

    This talk will examine the role of the public library in the Information Society, in fact does it have a role? What is happening to plan for an electronic and digitised future? It will cover and comment upon initiatives such as the newly created Library and Information Commission IT Task Group; the failed millennium bid for funds to wire up public libraries; Project EARL and other related projects. Furthermore it will examine the difficulties public libraries face owing to their place in local authorities; their funding, the education and training of public libraries and the perception of them.

    Cost: The day will cost #35.00 for non-commercial, #100.00 for commercial. This includes tea and coffee, but lunch will not be provided. Please book early as spaces are limited. [A small number of free places will be available for members of Oxford University]. Cheques should be made payable to 'Oxford University Computing Services' and sent to the organisers below.

    To register for this event please complete the tear-off slip below and return it to:

    Dr Stuart Lee/ Mr Chris Stephens Humanities Computing Unit Oxford University Computing Services 13 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 6NN UK

    N.B. Closing date for registration is Wednesday 7th May.

    If you have any questions please contact Stuart Lee (Stuart.Leeoucs.ox.ac.uk) or Chris Stephens (Christopher.Stephensoucs.ox.ac.uk) tel: 01865-283295; FAX: 01865-273275. ************************************************************************* Please print off, complete and return to: Stuart Lee/Chris Stephens, Humanities Computing Unit, Oxford University Computing Services, 13 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6NN, UK; Fax: +44 1865 273275 by WED 7TH MAY.

    I WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR A PLACE ON THE HUMANITIES COMPUTING UNIT 'BEYOND THE LIBRARY' ONE-DAY COLLOQUIUM ON MAY 16TH, 1997

    TITLE:

    FIRST NAME:

    SURNAME:

    POSITION:

    DEPARTMENT:

    INSTITUTION:

    ADDRESS:

    POSTCODE:

    COUNTRY:

    TELEPHONE:

    FAX:

    E-MAIL:

    I DULY ENCLOSE A CHEQUE FOR 35.00 (pounds sterling) [Academic Rate]/100.00 [Commercial Rate] MADE PAYABLE TO 'OXFORD UNIVERSITY COMPUTING SERVICES'.

    SIGNED:

    DATE:

    Message 3: New video in the U. of California series on communication

    Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 10:15:18 -0700
    From: archer <archercats.ucsc.edu>
    Subject: New video in the U. of California series on communication


    I thought other subscribers to the list might want to know that the University of California is distributing a new video on communication, language, and cultural differences. The new video is "A WORLD OF DIFFERENCES: Understanding Cross-Cultural Communication."

    This video examines fourteen different ways--both verbal and nonverbal--that people from two different cultures can experience communication failures and conflict. Examples in the video include mis-translation, the difficulty of understanding idioms from another culture, cultural differences in personal space, patterns of touch, etiquette and ritual, the expression of emotions, ideas about food, gestures, courtship differences, and parent- child interactions. The video illuminates important concepts like culture, communication failures, and "culture shock." The video also comes with a detailed Instructor's Guide.

    This is the newest video in the Univ. of California's video series on NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION. The other videos in the UC series are "THE HUMAN VOICE" (about both language and vocal "paralanguage"-- i.e., what can be inferred about a speaker from spoken language), "THE HUMAN FACE," "A WORLD OF GESTURES" (about cultural differences in gestures), and the "IPT" and "IPT-15" (two video "self-tests" that enable viewers to see how accurately they can "decode" nonverbal cues and interpersonal behavior.

    If list members are interested, they can contact the Univ. of California directly at UC Extension Center for Media; 2000 Center Street, Fourth Floor; Berkeley, California U.S.A. 94704; PHONE (510) 642-0460; FAX (510) 643-9271; or by email at cmiluclink.berkeley.edu.

    The UC video series is also described in a new interactive WEB site on nonverbal communication: http://zzyx.ucsc.edu/~archer

    List members can also obtain a DETAILED email description of these videotapes (complete with reviews) from archercats.ucsc.edu

    Prof. Dane Archer Stevenson College Univ. of California, Santa Cruz U.S.A. 95064 archercats.ucsc.edu