Page 30 RAIN March/April 1985 the other communicated using an elec- ARTS NET tronic mail system. A couple of. differ- ARTSNET is an electronic communicaences surfaced. The computer group tion system operated by Western States stayed on-line, ,,'meeting" well into the ., Arts Foundation. The system supports . night (2 a.m.), and "they got so involved communications and information exin the.process that they began swearing change among a variety of artists, art at each other and making incredible administrators, and state arts agencies. remarks." Dr. Kiesler was surprised by All regional state arts agencies (13), the the language used by managers that seven regional service organizations, the would normally be reserved for "the National Association of State Arts Agenlocker room." Also, the decisions the cies, and the National Endowment for the groups made were different. The comput- Arts have courtesy memberships on the er group's decisions were much more system. Additionally, each of the 56 extreme and risky. In other experiments touring companies on the Western States this has also proved to be the case. The .Performing Arts Tour roster are given decisions made via computer conferenc- one-year memberships. · ing tend to be more extreme-either Begun in October 1983 to explore the more radical or more conservative. use of technology in serving the arts (Suggested by Terry Miller) community, ARTSNET is a prototype How to Typeset from a Word Processor, by Ronald Labuz, 1984, 218 pp., $24.95 from; · R.R. Bowker 205 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 We often field questions about how to use a computer or word processor as a way to input copy to typesetting equipment. We are also addressing the problep, ourselves as we consider new ways to produce RAIN magazine. This how-to guide by Labuz has been the most helpful guide we've found. The guide discusses the general process of interfacing different types of equipment, and describes four basic methods: (1) optical character recognition, (2) media conversion, (3). hardwiring, and (4) telecommunications. system. Features include personal messaging, bulletin boards, conferences, tutorials, and databases-including Western Booking Exchange (WBEX), which contains information about the PUBLICATIONS Each one is discussed in detail, including specific technical requirements, and . trade-offs for each method. It's not easy , to make the change-over; there is a lot to consider. Very importantly, as Labuz and our own typesetter friends have pointed out to us, using one's computer terminal or word processor as an input devide for off-site typesetting transforms writers and typists into, perhaps reluttant, typesetters.'The degree of accuracy and detail work needed is significantly increased. The guide is highly recommended for anyone considering interfacing with typesetters. A companion book (from the same publisher) is also recommended, The Interface Data Book for Word Processing I Typesetting. It is a catalog of the requirements of different kinds of computer hardware and software, word processors, and typesetting equipment. The Video Register, 1985, $4.50 from: National Federation of Local Cable Programmers 906 Pennsylvania SE Washington, DC 20003 A comprehensive directory of the video industry, including descriptions of 400 professional video equipment dealers, 800 video consultants and production companies, 2,700 organizations using video for h~aining and communications, 750 production and post-production houses, and 700 local access/origination centers: current schedule of major touring arts/ cultural groups in the Western states. In addition to WBEX, an events database is · available . Bulletin boards include HUMOR, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, GENERAL, and NETWORK TIPS. Users can read any of the items that are posted on the bulletin board or enter new items. Conferences are established around specific topics and can be limited to certain users or made available to all ARTSNET members. Current conferences on the system are Visual Arts, Silicon Stuff, Artists in Education, and Commu- , nity Development. ARTSNET is available weekdays from 3 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. MST. It can be accessed with most standard ASCII terminals capable of communicating at 300 or 1200 bits per seco'nd. For more information, contact the Western States Arts Foundation, 141 East Palace Aven.ue, Santa Fe, NM 87501; 505/988-1166. Application Junction, project director, Jim Taylor, 1983, 200 pp., $19.95, from: Ashton-Tate 10150. West Jefferson Boulevard Culver City, CA 90230 Application Junction is a catalog of software products written in the dBASE programming language, a popular database management system distributed by Ashton-Tate. The catalog can first be recommended for people already using dBASE software either as a way to find out about possible applications, or to actually purchase the applications programs offered through the catalog. We are also bringing it to your attention because it is a useful entrepreneurialbased information exchange. Here are 800 different database form1ts, some · created by professional dBASE programmers, others by more typical dBASE users. There are over 800 applications described, ranging from crude oil evaluation to Bible information management, and from headstart daycare center management to contributof/donor records and wine cellar inventory. The catalog is a testimony to grassroots entrepreneurial spirjt. While the catalog is most useful to those who are already using dBASE products, such use is not a requirement. Many of the packages will run on most popular computer systems, thanks to the dBASE II RUNTIME. RUNTIME allows one to create a special software applica-
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