May-June, 1992 AMERICAN VETERINARY COMPUTER SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Steve Waldhalm (Mississippi State) - President; R. Lee Pyle (Virginia Tech) - Secretary Treasurer; Richard B. Talbot (Virginia Tech) - President elect; Ronald D. Smith (Illinois) - Newsletter Editor. Readers are encouraged to submit Newsletter Items to: Dr. Ronald D. Smith, Editor Voice: (217) 333-3290 AVCS Newsletter (217) 333-2449 College of Veterinary Medicine FAX: (217) 333-4628 University of Illinois Internet: r-smith19@uiuc.edu 2001 South Lincoln America OnLine: RD Smith Urbana, IL 61801 IN THIS ISSUE -From the Editor -How to Join the Ameican Veterinary Computer Society (AVCS) -AVCS Internet/AOL Hotline -Survery of Computer Usage by Veterinarians -VETMED-L Bitnet/Internet Mailserver -AVMA Committee on Informatics -Electronic Mail on Microcomputers -Multimedia Authoring Tools -Text Retrieval Programs -Network Printers -Notebook Computers -Electronic Abstracting Service -CONVINCE Funds 4 Multimedia Projects -Money and Power Savings for Small Computers -Dysfunctional Consequences of E-Mail -Meethings and Educational Opportunities -Suggested Readings -Closing Bits SOCIETY NEWS From the Editor Electronic communication within and between all sectors of society is moving us closer to the "global village". Low cost computers packaged with modems and information service software such as Prodigy is popping up all over the country. This issue of the AVCS Newsletter focuses on electronic mail, one of the most useful (and addictive) features of these services. One additional note...I've decided to limit the list of suggested readings at the end of the Newsletter to articles in english. This is not meant to imply that non-english publications are of no interest. There are just too many of them! How to Join the Ameican Veterinary Computer Society (AVCS) Annual dues are $20. Those interested in joining AVCS should contact: Dr. R. Lee Pyle College of Veterinary Medicine Virginia Tech University Blacksburg, VA 24061-0442 AVCS Internet/AOL Hotline As AVCS Newsletter Editor, I occasionally receive announcements of meetings, educational, or funding opportunities whose deadlines come and go before the next newsletter is scheduled to appear. If you will send me your bitnet, internet, or America Online (AOL) e-mail address I will be glad to add it to a "hotline" for immediate forwarding of time-dated announcements. R.D. Smith AVCS Newsletter Editor Survery of Computer Usage by Veterinarians The AVCS is supporting a survey of computer utilization in the veterinary profession by Dr. Lee Dye of Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. This survey is the first of its kind in veterinary medicine, and focuses upon attitudes and perceived needs. The results of this survey include an evaluation of the need for education of veterinarians about the use of computers, and therefore address directly the goals of our society. It compliments the recent survey by the Committee on Informatics of the AVMA in evaluating the level of current hardware and software utilization. The data will be reported by Dr. Dye in his presentation during the Symposium on Information Management, August 2, 1992, during the AVMA Convention in Boston. We also anticipate publication of the results in a manuscript to be submitted to the Journal of the AVMA. S.J. Waldhalm, President AVCS VETMED-L Bitnet/Internet Mailserver From Jeff Parke, Wash. State University College of Veterinary Medicine class of '94 Internet: jeffp@eecs.wsu.edu or ...uunet!yoda.eecs.wsu.edu!jeffp CIS: 71511,1512 AOL: JeffParke VETMED-L is a mailserver for discussions about issues of importance to veterinary medicine. A mailserver maintains a large list of email addresses, with a master address called the list address. You mail your message to the list address, and it gets automatically forwarded to everyone on the list. The VETMED-L list is a public one. This means anyone can put their name on it. If you are on BITNET you can subscribe with the following command: TELL LISTSERV@UGA SUB VETMED-L Your Name You can also use BINET/INTERNET email to subscribe. The procedure is as follows: - send email to the address LISTSERV@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU - use a blank Subject line, i.e. no subject - the body text should consist of the line: SUBSCRIBE VETMED-L Your Name That's it! You will get all mail sent to the address VETMED-L@UGA (BITNET) or VETMED-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU (Internet). To send mail to all on the list, you simply send it to that address. You will receive additional listserver usage basics when you subscribe. "Other BITNET lists run by and for veterinary professionals exist. One sort of just finds out about them. Being up front and active on the VETMED-L is one way to do so. Two specialties that come to mind are veterinary librarians and veterinary pharmacists. Both have their own limited listserver groups. Getting on these lists depends on your interests. If you identify yourself in a message to VETMED-L as being being a veterinary pharmacist and wanting to contact others of your kind, chances are your wishes will come true." AVMA Committee on Informatics Subj: Request for input from AVMA Date: 92-03-11 01:29:30 EST From: Ken Boschert, DVM; AVMA Committee on Informatics By way of: Duane Steward; Alias: Meshack (AOL) The AVMA Committee on Informatics is deliberating recommendations as to whether AVMA, as an organization representing most veterinarians, should sponsor a veterinary electronic network. Such a network would be much like what is available on the Veterinary Information Network-America Online (VIN-AOL); however it's focal point would be the AVMA. The Committee faces a challenging task with these deliberations, and although comfortable with the area of telecommunications, appreciates your early input. If you are interested and wish to comment, many of the committee members are directly accessible on AOL, including the chairman, Dr. Bob Featherston (ROBERTF95), Dr. Joe Blair (JOEB72), and myself, Ken Boschert (KENB52). If you have access to Compuserve, you can contact other committee members: Dr. Scott Stalheim (71611,3637) & Dr. Karl Wise (71151,2646) or Internet/Bitnet: Dr. Richard Talbot (cvmrbt@vtvm2.cc.vt.edu) & Dr. Richard Hidalgo (vethid@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu). Well folks this could go for us or against us on VIN. If AVMA starts its own seperate network, we will be left with the optioon to increase our expenses to log on multiple bulletin boards or split our interests. If we want to consolidate our resources, we need to impress this committee that the onliners at VIN are responsive and very interested in joining forces ON THIS network. If we flood this request with helpful replies we will demonstrate the quantity of energy here and the value of our alliance. Below is an edited version of the response request by KenB52 that merely needs filled in with numbers indicating relative interest in the topics listed. It has been made simple to elicit more people to respond! Rate your interest in the following features of the proposed AVMA network on a scale from 1(low)-5(high) and send your rating to Ken Boschert. 1. Drug/Toxicology Hotline ____ 2. Computer assisted clinical diagnosis programs ____ 3. Veterinary medical literature ref. system ____ 4. Computer assisted clin path diagnostic system ____ 5. Interactive computer continuing education ____ 6. E-mail/referrals to vet schools ____ 7. E-mail to drug cos. and distributors ____ 8. Veterinary forums (bulletin boards) ____ 9. Veterinary market/financial reports ____ 10. AVMA membership/directory info ____ 11. E-mail to USDA/State Veterinarians ____ 12. Veterinary earnings/demographic data ____ 13. AVMA dues/meeting registration ____ 14. Veterinary Classified Ads ____ 15. E-mail - other veterinarians ____ 16. Placement Service for vets & techs ____ 17. E-mail - state vet. assns. ____ 18. E-mail - FDA ____ 19. E-mail - AVMA/PAC - Washington DC ____ We have the opportunity to let this committee here from us. Let's not pass it up! Here's Ken's internet "signature". Rather creative I thought! (Editor) | ^__^ Ken Boschert, DVM * Washington University | | ( / \ ) * Division of Comparative Medicine * St. Louis, MO | | <0 0> Voice: 314-362-3773 * Fax: 314-362-6480 | | \ / * Internet: ken@wudcm.wustl.edu * | | =\/= * Compuserve: 73177,3346 * AOL: KENB52 | ELECTRONIC MAIL ON MICROCOMPUTERS Contributed by Randy Cotton Computing and Communications Services Office University of Illinois The use of electronic mail is steadily increasing on campus. Usually referred to as "e-mail" for short, it is now accepted as an efficient, convenient communication utility and a proven productivity builder. Though e-mail has been used for many years in mainframe and multi-user workstation environments, it has recently become a mainstream application used directly on networked microcomputers such as the IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 and compatibles as well as the Apple Macintosh. The Importance of E-mail Electronic mail systems allow its users to send typed messages to others that use e mail. Though this is not its only capability, this simple function and the features that usually accompany it offer a range of important benefits that can improve the quality and efficiency of day-to-day communication: Alleviation of "phone-tag": One of the most annoying nuisances inherent in communication by phone is trying to get in touch with someone from whom you need information, yet failing to reach them with repeated calls. Even worse is when you are absent or occupied (or on the phone yourself) when they return your calls. If both parties use e-mail, this "phone-tag" can be avoided completely; one need only send off an e-mail message if a first effort by phone is unsuccessful. Then your message is waiting at the other party's computer when they return, and their response can be made immediately, perhaps by phone, or if you are away from your phone, by an e-mail reply. In a wider sense, e-mail systems offer efficient full-time communication - messages can be sent on the spur of the moment at any time regardless of whether the intended recipient is out for lunch, on the phone, in the field, down the hall, out of town, in a meeting, late for work, gone for the day, or otherwise unreachable and the sender can be assured that the message can be seen as soon as the recipient checks his mail, or (with systems like cc:Mail) as soon as he glances at his computer screen. E-mail eases "phone-tag" with someone down the hall as easily as it does with someone across campus or even across the country. Obviously, the value of e-mail increases as the distance between communication points increases. Non-intrusive messaging: Electronic mail offers a less intrusive alternative to communication by phone. With e mail, it isn't necessary to interrupt someone from important work or meetings in order to communicate with them. This is because the arrival of an e-mail message does not require any immediate action on the part of the recipient in the way that a ringing phone does. In a full-featured e-mail system, a typical message would arrive at the recipient's computer a few seconds after being sent and its arrival would be announced visually (with an on-screen message) and/or audibly (with a tone) by the computer, allowing the recipient to read it and respond when they are able. This aspect of e-mail can be taken advantage of for sending simple notes or reminders that don't necessarily warrant an interrupting phone call. This is also useful when it is known that the recipient is busy or wishes not to be interrupted. Multiple Recipients: E-mail allows users to address messages to many recipients. In fact, most e-mail systems allow for the creation of pre-defined lists of e-mail users that are frequently sent to as a group. This is an invaluable tool for workgroups that need to be informed of the activities and ideas of all members and for the fast, efficient distribution of general announcements. Since it is so easy for any message sender to add in recipient names or lists of names for outgoing e-mail, organizations that use e-mail systems tend to automatically increase the dissemination of information among their members, resulting in a more informed, more productive staff with little additional effort. Powerful reply options: Most e-mail systems offer "reply" and "forward" functions that are available while reading incoming mail. The "reply" function sets up an outgoing message to the author of the current message being read, optionally including the original text. Text inclusion allows the e-mail user to reply to a note simply by editing or annotating the original message to include answers to questions, comments on ideas, etc. This saves the user from having to re-express parts of the original message. The "forward" function includes the text of a note into a new message addressed to someone other than the original sender. Again, modifications and additions can be made at will. As with new messages, both the reply and forward features allow multiple recipients to be added. Message saving: E-mail messages can be saved indefinitely for future reference and accessed conveniently when needed. Most e-mail packages allow messages to be saved in electronic "folders" that can be given arbitrary names. As an example, users could create a folder for each person they correspond with via e-mail, saving messages to and from each person into the "folder" named for them. Full-featured e-mail systems allow these saved messages to be displayed, printed, searched, deleted, written to text files, moved or copied to other folders and sent in other e-mail messages. External communication: On the UofI campus, e-mail communication is not necessarily limited to within buildings or departments. UIUCnet, the campus network that interconnects an ever-increasing number of UofI buildings, can be used to send messages to any e-mail user connected to it. Most of the UofI's larger buildings and many smaller buildings are currently connected, and new connections are being made on a continuing basis. In addition, since UIUCnet is just a small part of a much larger global network called the Internet, it is possible to exchange e-mail with hundreds of government, military, commercial and educational institutions throughout the U.S. and many other countries. Note especially that this communication does not involve additional costs such as those incurred by long-distance phone calls and is particularly convenient for sending documents perhaps halfway around the earth in a matter of seconds for free. This capability will only become more useful in the future as the Internet continues to grow by leaps and bounds. In addition to the general e-mail features above, e-mail systems that run directly on desktop microcomputers sometimes offer two additional capabilities: File Inclusion: This feature allows e-mail users to send files from a microcomputer as attachments to their messages. Note that this feature allows for files to be conveniently sent between normally incompatible machines (in particular between Macintosh and IBM computers), though the usefulness of this is often limited to the transfer of text or data files. Image Inclusion: This allows screen-captured images or custom graphics to be included as part of e mail messages. This is a fairly sophisticated capability and though it is usually not used very often, it can be very valuable in some circumstances. The Importance of Server-based E-mail for Microcomputers As suggested above, the direct inclusion of microcomputer files and images inside messages is not possible with e-mail programs accessed on mainframes or other multi-user machines. This is one factor that is beginning to motivate a general migration from such centralized, remotely-accessed e-mail programs toward systems that feature applications which run directly on networked desktop computers and store mail on a local file server. There are other reasons for this migration - for instance, e-mail programs that run directly on a particular type of microcomputer can take full advantage of that computer's color and graphics capabilities to provide an optimized, easy-to-use interface. In addition, microcomputer-specific programs can be designed to conform to existing user-interface standards that apply, such as the graphical menu-based interface standard for Macintosh programs. This capitalizes on user familiarity with such interfaces to make the program's use more intuitive. As one might expect, the most important requirement for installing an e-mail system for microcomputers is an existing network that connects them together. For this reason, the UofI is in a unique position to take advantage of the benefits of e-mail because networking has taken a strong hold across the campus. The wide use of local area networks (LANs) and file servers within UofI departments and also the ongoing development of UIUCnet, which connects more and more of these LANs together, provides a solid networking foundation in which the full potential of server-based microcomputer e-mail systems can be utilized. Such e-mail systems are normally rather expensive. In particular, the initial investment can be quite steep even if just a few people will use the system - especially if e-mail functionality from both IBM and Macintosh computers is required and particularly if communication over a TCP/IP network like UIUCnet is desired. Randy Cotton - CCSO Network Support (217) 244-1203; r-cotton@uiuc.edu REVIEWS/PRODUCT COMPARISONS Multimedia Authoring Tools The March 9, 1992 issue of InfoWorld compared five Windows and Mac multimedia programs. Overall scores (with 10 being highest) were: IconAuthor, Version 4.01 (7.6), ToolBook and the Multimedia Resource Kit (MRK), Version 1.5 (7.4), MacroMind Director (for Macintosh), Version 3.0 (7.2), Authorware Professional for Windows, Version 1.0 (6.3), and Microsoft Multimedia Viewer (MDK), Version 1.0 (6.0). InfoWorld reviews can be downloaded from Compuserve Information Services. Text Retrieval Programs The March 23, 1992 issue of InfoWorld compared five IBM PC-compatible text retrieval programs. Overall scores (with 10 being highest) were: Zyindex for Windows, Version 4.02 (7.9), Folio Views, Version 2.1 (7.7), InfoQue, Version 2.0 (7.2), Isys, Version 2.08 (6.5), and Sonar Professional for Windows, Version 1.0 (5.9). The article also briefly discussed 10 other PC-compatible products that either search DOS files for text strings or permit the creation of integrated databases. The products were: AskSam 5.0, DT Search 1.1, Gofer 2.0, HyperWriter 3.0, PC-Browse 1.0, Personal Librarian, SearchExpress Legal, SmarText 2.0, and TextWare 3.0. InfoWorld reviews can be downloaded from Compuserve Information Services. Network Printers The April 13, 1992 issue of InforWorld compared four IBM-compatible network printers. Overall scores (with 10 being highest) were: Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIISi (9.0), QMS-PS 1700 (8.1), IBM LaserPrinter 10L (5.8), and DEC 3250 (5.0). InfoWorld reviews can be downloaded from Compuserve Information Services. Notebook Computers The April 20, 1992 issue of InfoWorld compared four 25=MHz 386 notebook computers. Overall scores (with 10 being highest) were: Compaq LTE Lite/25 (8.2), Zenith MastersPort 386Le (7.5), Epson NB-SL/25 (7.4), and AST Premium Exec 386SX/25 (6.3). The Toshiba T3300SL arrived in their labs too late for comparison, but a brief review is included. Electronic Abstracting Service Capsule Report Computer Edition. W. Collins and J. Smith. JHS Enterprises, Inc., 1400 S. University Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72204. $219/year. This is an electronic version of a written veterinary abstracting service that has been published since 1981. The abstracting of veterinary literature is done by Dr. Collins and the computer program for managing and searching the data has been written by Dr. Smith. Both authors are practicing veterinarians. The electronic version is easy to install and quite user friendly to anyone with minimal computer skills. The program operates from two basic menus. The opening menu allows the user to search the absbact data base, add new abstracts from the supplier or personal ones or choose utility programs that lend to the housekeeping chores of the program. The other primary menu is the one for the search function. One can search by subject, title, author, source or text strings. The latter allows the user to search for items even when the specifics are not known. For example searching for "icillin" will find references to both penicillin and amoxicillin and "anti" will find both antibiotic and antigen. A key element in a product such as this is the quality of the abstracting service. The material provided for review certainly does not compete with commercial services such as AGRICOLA for completeness of coverage of the veterinary literature. On the other hand, it contains that information a practitioner involved in patient care on a daily basis considers appropriate. The authors have included many practical references from conferences, extension newsletters and other sources that are not abstracted in AGRICOLA. Another nice feature is the ability to customize the print output such that it is personalized for a client. Since one can add files of their own, the program can also be used for client instructions that have been written by the veterinarian. These personalized files can be printed while the client is there, the same as the files created by the editors. The database management part of the product is very easy to use. The product is relatively inexpensive compared to others currently available. I believe it is worthy of consideration by veterinarians involved in patient care. From R.B. Talbot. Review also published in the Jour Vet Med Educ. NEWS AND COMMENTARY CONVINCE Funds 4 Multimedia Projects Four proposals were recently funded by the Consortium of North American Veterinary Interactive New Concept Education (CONVINCE) (now say it backwards!). They were: Surgical Anatomy in Small Animals ($18,000) Drs. Michael Sims, Robert Henry, Anthony Pardo, and Mr. Wayne Stagg, University of Tennessee A Veterinary Ethics Videodisk ($8,700) Dr. Fred Smith, University of Georgia Dairy Dilemmas ($20,000) Dr. Kenneth V. Nordlund, Ms. Martha Mealy, and Mr. Joseph C. Pelletier, University of Wisconsin Clinical Anatomy of the Pig ($14,600) Drs. Phillip Garrett, Tom Powe, Donna Angarano, Paul Rumph, and Mr. Larry Moore, Auburn University These programs are expected to become available in early 1993. CONVINCE will distribute free copies of the four programs to each College of Veterinary Medicine in the United States and Canada. A new call for proposals will be issued in May of 1992. For further information and copies of CONVINCE News, contact Mary Herron, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843; (409) 845-5051. Money and Power Savings for Small Computers Should small computers be turned off when they are not in use? In order to recommend a reasonable policy, we have consulted with some computer manufacturers and also with staff members here (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and at the University of California (Berkeley). We also quote some current measurements for computer units. These figures together with a rough estimate of the number of PC'S and workstations on campus lead to a power consumption estimate of 330 kw if all the PC's and work stations are turned on. This corresponds to roughly $100,000/year at the current cost of electricity for the university. In order to conserve energy and save money, we should try to minimize this use, consistent with not harming the equipment with excessive turn-on turn-off cycles. The University of California staff recommends that "PC" type computers be turned off if they are not to be used for a period of an hour or more. Apple, IBM, and Hewlett Packard agree that this should do no net harm to their computers. In particular HP informed us that one of the final tests applied to their pC's is a 24 hour period in which the computer is switched on and off. We therefore recommend the Berkeley policy for PC's on our campus. If it is necessary to leave the CPU on to receive mail or to be backed up, we still suggest that the monitors be turned off when they are not in use. All manufacturers agreed that the monitors will not be harmed by being turned off. Note that the screen saver programs save only the phosphor on the screen, the monitor power consumption is reduced by only 10 to 15%. Most work stations like the Sun are more tedious to turn on and therefore there is no obvious recommendation for their CPU's. For the Sun workstations the monitor uses the bulk of the power, and we recommend that the monitors be turned off when not in use. Again the screen saver program does not reduce the power consumption appreciably, real power savings require that the monitor power switch be turned off. We therefore urge you to turn off all monitors when not in use, and the CPU's on PC type machines when not in use for a period of more than one hour. In the summer, there will be additional power and money savings in those buildings where the air conditioning is reduced when the heat input is reduced. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Ulrich Kruse University of Illinois 217-333-4169 COMPUTER CURRENT MEASUREMENTS ______________________________________________ Computer Unit Amperes Apple Mac II CPU/running 0.48 Mac II CPU/shutdown 0.12 Color monitor M0401/on 0.37 Color monitor M0401/scrsvr* 0.32 Supermac monitor/on 0.32 Laserwriter II M6000/idling 0.27 Laserwriter Plus /idling 0.85 IBM PCAT CPU 0.77 PS/2 Model 5O CPU/on 0.54 PS/2 Model 5O CPU/off 0.07 PS/2 Model 7O-386 CPU/on 0.77 PS/2 Model 7O-386 CPU/off 0.04 EGA color monitor 0.61 PS/2 color display 8513001 0.92 PS/2 color display 8514 0.46 Proprinter 0.36 SUN CPU/running 0.18 19" color monitor/on 0.83 19" color monitor/scrsvr 0.75 ______________________________________________ *scrsvr = screen saver on Dysfunctional Consequences of E-Mail The March 2, 1992 issue of Network World discusses some of the hazards of implementing electronic mail (e-mail). Everyone agrees that e-mail enhances communications and productivity. However, e-mail systems within organizations may overload users with electronic junk mail, or may be used to conduct electronic garage sales. The biggest hazard is that e-mail systems tend to reduce personal interaction among employees. This is especially a problem for those who already view social contact with colleagues and customers as a low priority. For these individuals e-mail may actually impede their ability to grow in their jobs and contribute fully to an organization. To counter this electronic isolationism, employees should be taught communication skills, such as how to listen, provide feedback, negotiate and implement changes. Second, an advisory committee should be formed within the organization to establish guidelines on the proper use of e-mail. Surprisingly, the article recommends that employers may wish to selectively recruit individuals who already have good social interaction skills and are less likely to hide behind e-mail. MEETINGS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES May 6-9, 1992 American Medical Informatics Association Spring Congress, Portland, OR The themes for the third annual Congress are: decision-support systems and broadband networks, high-speed LANs and multimedia. The Spring Congress represents a unique opportunity for scientists, students, healthcare workers, healthcare administrators, and all interested in medical informatics to meet in an informal setting to exchange ideas and information. The Congress will be held in the Portland Marriott Hotel. For further information contact the Registrar, AMIA, 4915 St. Elmo Ave, St. 302, Bethesda, MD 20814. FAX: 301-657-1296. May 17-18, 1992 Interactive Videodisk Workshop IV, Athens, GA In cooperation with CONVINCE, Dr. Fred Smith and other software authors will offer their fourth workshop on computer/laser videodisc interactive programming. The course will be offered May 17-18, 1992. For details contact: Dr. Fred Smith, Department of Anatomy and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602; (404) 542-5550. May 31-June 6, 1992 NLM Medical Informatics Course, Woods Hole, MA This week long National Library of Medicine fellowship program, Directed by Dr. Homer Warner (Univ of Utah School of Medicine) is designed to train medical educators, medical librarians, medical administrators and young faculty individuals in the application of computer and information science in medicine. Participants will use computer-assisted learning tools, access computerized data bases, use communication networks, build and use a knowledge base for an expert system, and work with software for analysis of biologic sequence data. The course will be held at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA. For further information contact: Florence Dwane, Admissions Coordinator, Office of Sponsored Programs, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543 (508-548-3705, ext. 216). Application deadline is April 1, 1992. June 13-15, 1992 Capitalizing on Computers and Cooperation - 12th VME Symposium, Ames, IA The theme of the Twelfth Veterinary Medical Education Symposium is "Faculty Development - Capitalizing on Computers and Cooperation". The symposium will be held June 13-15, 1992 at the Iowa State Center, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. June 18-20, 1992 Interactive Healthcare 92 Conference and Exposition - Washington, DC Reported to be the onlyl conference in the world focusing exclusively on interactive video in the healthcare industry. This year's conference has been expanded to include multimedia techonolgy. The conference will be held in the Washington Court Hotel. For information contact Stewart Publishing, Inc, 6471 Merritt Court, Alexandria, VA 22312. FAX: 703-354-2177; Phone: 703-354-8155 July 25-26, 1992 National Research and Education Network (NREN) - Syracuse University For anyone interested in learning about the National Research and Education Network (NREN), there will be a two-day workshop at Syracuse University on July 25-26. The title is "Libraries and the Evolving National Research and Education Network: Realizing the Promise" and will taught by Professor Charles McClure who has published widely on networks and the NREN specifically and on information policy. For more information, contact Dr. Ruth Curtis, (DRRUTH@SUVM.BITNET). August 1, 1992 American College of Veterinary Informatics, Boston, MA The annual meeting of the American College of Veterinary Informatics (ACVI) will be held on Saturday, August 1, 1992, from 8:00-5:00 at the Sheraton Boston Hotel and Towers, 39 Dalton Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199. At our informal meeting at SCAMC '91 (Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care), we tentatively set the goal of certifying our first diplomates at the 1993 AVMA meeting in Minneapolis. Obviously if we are to attain this goal, we have a lot of work during the next year! I certainly hope that each member will make every effort to attend so that we will have plenty of "people power" for committee assignments.If you are not aware, the AVMA Symposium this year is dedicated to the topic of informatics, to include a special exhibit hall session all day Saturday, August 1. Another good reason to come to Boston! Craig N. Carter, DVM, MS Head, Epidemiology and Informatics President/ ACVI August 1-5, 1992 Informatics Symposia - AVMA's 129th Annual Meeting, Boston, MA The AVMA is sponsoring a computer expo on Saturday, August 1 and an all-day symposium on Sunday, August 2. Dr. Lee Dye (Ball State University) will be reporting the results of an AVCS-supported survey on computer utilization in the veterinary profession. Complete information will appear in the May 1 issue of the JAVMA. A separate "Symposium on Information Management", organized by Chuck Cohen (AOL: Chuck CEP), has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday August 2 at the Hynes Convention Center. October 22, 1992 Hypermedia '92, Bloomington, IN The fourth annual hypermedia conference is oriented toward the use of hypermedia in the schools. Six tracks of multimedia presentations and demonstrations are designed to facilitate sharing practical and conceptual strategies for using hypermedia systems to create stimulating and active learning environments. Proposals for presentation are invited in any area related tothe effective use of hypermedia and hypertext technology in instruction. Deadline for submitting proposals is April 15. For more information contact: Hypermedia '92, 210 Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405. FAX: 812-855-3044; Phone: 812-855-1792; e-mail: hyper92@iubacs.bitnet; hyper92@ucs.indiana.edu November 8-11, 1992 Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care, Baltimore, MD The theme of the sixteenth SCAMC will be "supporting collaboration," e.g., how networks, hardware devices, software systems, and standards can be employed to coordinate the complex tasks that characterize health care delivery, education, and biomedical research. The Symposium will include papers, scientific demonstrations, panel discussions, evening workshops, tutorials, and a student paper competition. It will be held at the Baltimore Conventin Center. For information contact: Mark E. Frisse, M.D., SCAMC Program Chair, AMIA, 4915 St. Elmo Ave, Suite 302, Bethesda, MD 20814. FAX: 301-657-1296 SUGGESTED READINGS Books Knowledge Coupling: New Premises and New Tools for Medical Care and Education by L. Weed. 1991. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10160-0266. $39.00 Articles DEVELOPMENT OF LYNX - A COMPUTER APPLICATION FOR DISEASE DIAGNOSIS AND HEALTH MONITORING IN WILD MAMMALS, BIRDS AND REPTILES. BENNETT-PM. GASCOYNE-SC. HART-MG. KIRKWOOD-JK. HAWKEY-CM. VETERINARY-RECORD. 1991 MAY 25 V128 N21. P496 - P499 THE REPEATABILITY AND EFFECT OF SEASON ON SEMINAL CHARACTERISTICS AND COMPUTER-AIDED SPERM ANALYSIS IN THE STALLION. JASKO-DJ. LEIN-DH. FOOTE-RH. THERIOGENOLOGY. 1991 FEB V35 N2. P317 - P327 A COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR FORMULATING NUTRITIONAL AND ECONOMICAL RATIONS FOR DAIRY OPERATIONS. BATH-DL. STRASSER-SJ. VETERINARY-MEDICINE. 1990 DEC V85 N12. P1334 - P+ TEP - THE ELECTRONIC PIG - A PROTOTYPE OF A KNOWLEDGE-BASED COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR SWINE HERD HEALTH. VOS-ML. PREVENTIVE-VETERINARY-MEDICINE. 1990 JUL V9 N2. P95 - P106 A COMPUTER-DERIVED PROTOCOL USING RECURSIVE PARTITIONING TO AID IN ESTIMATING PROGNOSIS OF HORSES WITH ABDOMINAL PAIN IN REFERRAL HOSPITALS. PASCOE-PJ. DUCHARME-NG. DUCHARME-GR. LUMSDEN-JH. CANADIAN-JOURNAL-OF-VETERINARY-RESEARCH-REVUE-CANADIENNE-DE-RECHERCHE- VETERINAIRE. 1990 JUL V54 N3. P373 - P378 Pathologists and Training in Information Technology M Peters, IR Clark Journal of Clinical Pathology 45: 3 (MAR 1992):185-187 A Brief Historical Overview of Hospital Information System (HIS) Evolution in the United-States. Collen MF Int J Biomed Comput 1991 DEC;29(3-4):169-189 A Compiled Computer Program for Assisting the Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Helminths of Humans and Animals. Theodoropoulos G, V. Loumos Comput Methods Programs Biomed 1991 DEC;36(4):237-238 Neural Networks - What Are They. Guerriere MRJ, AS Detsky Ann Intern Med 1991 DEC 1;115(11):906-907 A Mathematical Model of Rinderpest Infection in Cattle Populations. Tille A, C Lefevre, PP Pastoret , E Thiry Epidemiol Infect 1991 OCT;107(2):441-452 Attempts to Use Computers as Diagnostic AIDS in Medical Decision Making - A 30-Year Experience RL Engle. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine 35: 2 (WIN 1992):207-219 CLOSING BITS Quotables "Artificial intelligence is about as satisfying as artificial insemination." "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance". -- Derek Bok "Any new venture goes through the following stages: enthusiasm, complication, disillusionment, search for the guilty, punishment of the innocent, and decoration of those who did nothing." "To err is human, but.to really screw it up you need a computer!" About Spell Checkers I have a spell checker it came with my PC, It plainly marks four my revue mistakes i cannot sea. I have run this poem threw it I'm sure your please too no Its letter perfect in its weigh my checker tolled me sew... Global Village Circa 1927 "Broadcasting can never really stimulate a consciousness of kind. Its greatest service will be to isolated persons like farmers, the sightless and those who are nearly deaf, or who are forced to remain indoors on account of the inclement weather." American Journal of Sociology, 1927, pp.615-622. The review of the article may be found in the QJS 1928 pp. 299-300. Gerald M. Phillips (Professor Emeritus), Speech Communication, Pennsylvania State University GMP@PSUVM Hardbound Versus Electronic Books At the moment, the book is still the least expensive, portable, learning unit. It requires no power source and usually provides instant retrieval. It is also sacrosanct to promotion and tenure committees. As pointed out in the CHRONICLE, material in electronic journals is disregarded as irresponsible and irrelevant by most promotion and tenure committees. Regardless of your stand on this matter, it is fact of life, and a very important fact for young faculty members. Gerald M. Phillips (Professor Emeritus), Speech Communication, Pennsylvania State University GMP@PSUVM E-Mail as History An article in the May, 1992 Scientific American (page 20) raises the question as to whether e-mail correspondence, stored on digital media, should be preserved as part of official government records. Things apparently came to a head when dozens of computer backup tapes - among them ones containing memos from the Iran-Contra affair - were about to be erased. The Bush White House argues that in order to merit archiving, e-mail messages must be printed out. Otherwise, they're history (or not history in this case).