Thesis (doctoral)--Humboldt Universität, Berlin, 2003. / Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. [107]-113) and index. Also issued online.

M.Inf. / This research investigated the role played by Web-based interfacing in improving online searching. A comparative analysis was undertaken to investigate end-user searching in both conventional online systems and Web-based services. The results of the analysis necessitated further improvements in Web interfacing. In fact, this study identified areas in which online searching poses problems and finally suggested features which need to be incorporated into further developments of Web interfaces to online systems.

The traditional academic reference environment has been transformed by electronic technology. The purpose of this study is to investigate the consequences of this transformation concerning the changing role of the reference librarian as well as the new competencies that are needed to be efficient in this electronic information environment. Research method: A literature study was conducted in order to establish the nature of the traditional academic reference environment; to determine the changes that took place in the electronic reference environment and the effect of these changes on the role expectations and competencies of the academic reference librarian. Core findings: The role of the academic reference librarian in an electronic environment has changed from sole information provider in the traditional environment to facilitator and guide to relevant resources in the electronic environment. Three main roles have been identified: it can be expected of an academic reference librarian to be a trainer, an information manager and to be equipped to handle information enquiries via electronic mail. Reference librarians need additional training and continuing education in order to develop new skills and acquire new knowledge to enable them to handle these identified tasks. Although responsibilities for providing training and education opportunities reside with library managers, in the end, each reference librarian must assume responsibility for acquiring the required competencies. Librarians must not see the developments in information technology and especially Internet as a threat, but as an opportunity and vehicle to deliver and support better information services to users. / Thesis (M.Bibl.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002.

The traditional academic reference environment has been transformed by electronic technology. The purpose of this study is to investigate the consequences of this transformation concerning the changing role of the reference librarian as well as the new competencies that are needed to be efficient in this electronic information environment. Research method: A literature study was conducted in order to establish the nature of the traditional academic reference environment; to determine the changes that took place in the electronic reference environment and the effect of these changes on the role expectations and competencies of the academic reference librarian. Core findings: The role of the academic reference librarian in an electronic environment has changed from sole information provider in the traditional environment to facilitator and guide to relevant resources in the electronic environment. Three main roles have been identified: it can be expected of an academic reference librarian to be a trainer, an information manager and to be equipped to handle information enquiries via electronic mail. Reference librarians need additional training and continuing education in order to develop new skills and acquire new knowledge to enable them to handle these identified tasks. Although responsibilities for providing training and education opportunities reside with library managers, in the end, each reference librarian must assume responsibility for acquiring the required competencies. Librarians must not see the developments in information technology and especially Internet as a threat, but as an opportunity and vehicle to deliver and support better information services to users. / Thesis (M.Bibl.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002.

This was a project to develop a Telephone Directory Web service (TDWS) to provide convenient and cost-effective access to public telephone directory data.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the influences that Information Retrieval Systems such as online Search Engines and Databases have on designers' early searching strategies. The study involves the observation of designers transforming early design language into query 'keyword' language for the operation of Information Retrieval Systems and how this transition causes a shift in early design exploration. This transformation is referred to in this research as the CLASS activity; Converting Language from Abstract Searching to Specific. Findings show a common pattern across the activity of both professional and advanced student designers. Information Retrieval Systems are seen to drive the searching process into specific, explored domains rather than stimulate an 'abstract' broad investigation. The IR systems are built upon categories that are created to manage the information content. It is these categories that require a person to use defined keywords and query sentences to operate the Information Retrieval Systems. The findings suggest that using Information Retrieval Systems prior to defining the scope of a design problem causes designers to prematurely focus on specific searching.

Humboldt-Univ., Diss.--Berlin, 2003.

The Internet has become a very powerful tool in improving communication, making it easier, more convenient, and faster to access or exchange information. This project takes advantage of the strengths the Internet provides by improving communication by developing a web site for a transportation company.

The purpose of this project is to design, build and implement a web application system for the Olympiad delegation registration. All the pages and user registration information will be stored in a PostgreSQL database and retrieved by JAVA Servlet and JDBC (JAVA Database Connectivity). The main purpose of this project is to provide an easy-to-register and web-base communication evironment for the National Olympic Committes (NOC) and the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG).

This project "Designing Secure, Java Based Online Registration Systems to Meet Peak Load Performance Targets" is a simulation of a Web-based exposition management system plus a performance testing procedure to examine this web application.