Library Technology Guides

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Volume 6 Number 09 (September 1986)

Capitalizing operating expenses

Many libraries, having successfully raised funds to purchase an automated library system, face serious problems in fitting the ongoing expenses of the new system into their operating budgets. Typically, yearly hardware and software maintenance payments alone represent at least 12 percent of the initial purchase price. There are also supply and personnel expenses. Telecommunications charges are a significant factor for many libraries. The funding authorities that approved the capital appropriations for automation often resist increases in the operating budget.

The most common approach to reducing operating costs in the first year or two after purchase is to install the system in phases. The modules, most commonly acquisitions, serials control, circulation, and patron access catalog, can be brought up at three to six month intervals, with the hardware and software required for each module to be installed as required. This defers the cost of maintenance and some other recurring costs. However, when phasing extends over a period longer than two years, the purchase prices for hardware and software installed more than two years after the contract date may have to be renegotiated.

Libraries can further ease the transition to automation through "capitalizing" part of what are normally operating expenses by having the vendor include some recurring charges in the bid price. Eor example, a library can specify that there shall be no annual software license fees during the first five years after installation. Companies which have such fees will usually total the fees for five years and add the sum to the purchase price, less a 35 percent or greater discount for having received the money "up front." A library can also specify that the purchase price shall include a 12 month extended warranty, or alternatively, that no maintenance payments shall be payable during the first year (or two) after installation. In these cases, the normal vendor practice is to add the maintenance charges which would have been billed during the first year (or two) to the purchase price, again, less a discount of 8 to 12 percent (15 to 20 percent when two years are involved). It is also possible for libraries to reduce hardware maintenance charges by purchasing a spare parts inventory. By paying for additional terminals, side printers, light pens, and other remote peripherals which are easily replaced by staff, the repair of these items can be handled using less expensive "depot" maintenance. The devices needing repair are shipped by UPS to the company which has offered the lowest maintenance prices, subject to quality workmanship and appropriate guarantees. It is usually possible to purchase the spares at a discount by offering to remove the remote peripherals from the table of coefficients used to determine total system performance.

By using a combination of techniques it is usually possible to reduce the operating costs for the first year by one-third to one-half, and for the second year by one-fourth to one-third. That gives most libraries sufficient time to build up their operating budgets or make reallocations to accommodate the impact of the system's operation.

Carlyle receives $2 million

Carlyle Systems Incorporated, a turnkey vendor of patron access catalog systems, has announced that Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc. and Union Venture Corporation have invested a total of $2 million in the company on behalf of a number of private venture pool investors. The money will be used to hire additional staff to expedite development of new software modules, including circulation, acquisitions, and serials control; and to increase production capacity, improve customer service, and expand the com-pany's marketing efforts. The company plans to establish three regional offices before the end of 1986.

LSCA grant to establish Virginia VTLS library network

Ten Virginia VTLS users have received a grant to establish the Virginia VTLS Library Network using the Network Intelligent Link (NIL). The award, a Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Title III Grant, will cover purchase and operating costs for NIL for one year. Plans call for installing the NIL equipment and introducing the network in October. The NIL software was designed by VTLS to run on the IBM-PC. It allows communication between two computers, each with its own data base. This prototype state network is being developed in response to a report issued by the Virginia State Library, calling for the establishment of a means to electronically transmit information about the collections of the state's libraries among local online systems.

Participants in the project are the Virginia State Library; Newport News Public Library; James Madison University; Longwood College; College of William and Mary; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Mary Washington College; Pamunkey Regional Library; J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College; and Fauquier County Public Library.

According to the grant proposal, the libraries will use the NIL network to download unique bibliographic and authority records from participating libraries, particularly those not available on national and regional bibliographic data bases; verify bibliographic records for patrons' research needs; determine circulation status of items before requesting them Through interlibrary loan; identify holdings in order to coordinate acquisitions and collection development; and establish an electronic bulletin board for transmitting VTLS-related information.

[Contact: VTLS, Center for Library Automation, 416 Newman Library, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24161; (703) 961-5847.]

MITINET/marc unveiled

Information Transform Inc. has announced the availability of MITINET/marc, a program which assists novice catalogers to create new MARC records on IBM PC and Apple II microcomputers. MITINET/marc is currently the only automated cataloging system available on any type of computer which allows users to create standard MARC records without learning any MARC terminology. Using MITINET/marc, libraries eliminate the need to be trained in MARC tags, indicators, subfields, or advanced applications of AACR2 cataloging or use of ISBn punctuation and general material designation notation since MITINET/marc supplies all appropriate tags, punctuation, and notation. Users need only understand the basic principles of cataloging and the basic parts of a catalog record. MITINET/marc allows for the use of nine formats, including books, films! videos/kits, manuscripts, maps, records! cassettes, reports/documents, serials, sheet music, and software/machine-readable data files. After the user selects a format, the program prompts the user for each item of data, showing an example of what the data should look like. By following the examples, catalogers can learn to use the correct cataloging procedures. Users can edit the record as data is entered or they may save the record and retrieve it for editing after other staff have made any necessary corrections on the printed proof. MITINET/marc can be used on Apple microcomputers (128K) or IBM-PC AT or XT microcomputers (256K) and two 5 1/4 floppy or 3 1/2 inch disk drives or 1 disk drive and a hard disk. The program also will operate on OCLC-M300 and some IBM-compatible equipment. The software, a user manual, and an audio training tape are available for $495 per copy. An introductory price of $425 is available for orders placed before October 15, 1986. A demonstration disk is available for $95, which is credited toward the cost of the production software when it is purchased. [Contact: Information Transform, Inc., 502 Leonard St., Madison, WI 53711; (608) 255-4800 or The Highsmith Co. (800) 558-3110.]

Data base searchers get help from Hollywood

BASELINE, a comprehensive information service for the entertainment industry, provides information on 34,000 films, television shows and theatrical productions, plus data on the more than 200,000 people involved in their production including actors to key grips, directors to make-up artists. Information on films currently dates back to 1970 and information on TV programs dates back to 1934. BASELINE offers Cinema-scope, which charts audience statistics and gives demographic breakdowns of opening-night reactions for all major releases since 1979. Another service lists literary properties for which film rights are available, with story synopsis, author, agent, and publisher. BASELINE can be accessed through personal computers equipped with a modem or through a small portable Minitel receiver leased from BASELINE. Subscribers can also use the phone-in service where BASELINE researchers will access the information and provide answers to questions.

[Contact: BASELINE, Inc., 80 East 11th St., New York, NY 10003; (212) 254-8235.]

OSI joint project

The National Bureau of Standards has brought together a group of computer and communications vendors and major users in a joint project to implement the Open System Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model. The project seeks to have the participants implement the X.25 packet switching standard as well as the connectionless internet, Level 4 transport, Level 5 Session and file transfer, access and management (FTAM) standards as defined under OSI. Vendor participants include AT&T, Digital Equipment Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Honeywell, IBM, and Tandem. The project is being coordinated with the Corporation for Open Systems.

NBS OKs electronic mail standard

The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) has approved the first version of a North American industry-wide electronic mail standard. The standard defines the necessary protocols and technical specifications for North American vendors seeking to implement in product the International Telephone and Telegraph Consultative Committee's (CCITT) X.400 worldwide electronic mail standard. The vendors which participated in the formulation ot the standard included AT&T, Bell Canada, Digital Equipment Corporation, GTE Telenet, IBM, Tymnet Inc., Xerox Corporation, and several other computer and telecommunications companies. This action by NBS has been endorsed by the Corporation for Open Systems (COS) and will provide the first technical standard against which COS will test and evaluate manufacturer s electronic mail systems for compatibility.

Fax phones a lower-cost fax option

Telefacsimile equipment is in the process of being downsized. Compact units, marketed as "faxphones" because they include a telephone within the equipment, are being sold by several Japanese electronics companies. The faxphones are less expensive than the Group III machines, which many libraries have installed in the past two years. Prices usually range from $2,100 to $2,400. They are fully compatible with larger Group III machines, but they are not designed to handle high volumes, nor are they equipped with many extra features.

With the miniaturization of most other electronic equipment, the downsizing of fax should come as no surprise, even if the issue of size has not be raised. In the past, complaints have usually been concerned with the inferior quality of reproduction, the need to attend to the machine while it is operating, etc. These complaints have led manufacturers to add such features as automatic paper feeders and automatic send/receive functions. Furthermore, reproduction quality has improved. Even so, the fax manufacturers apparently believe that size is a problem which has heretofore gone unresolved. In Japan, compact units have become quite successful and while there were no small machines on the U.S. market only a year ago, every major Japanese vendor offers one today.

The availability of the machines may indeed open new markets, not only for libraries which have low levels of high priority interlibrary loan activity--fewer than 500 pages a month--but also as an alternative to first class mail, overnight courier services, and electronic mail for other library applications.

Matsushita Graphic Communications Systems Inc. introduced the original faxphone, and now markets two models. The Panamemo 107 is an ultra compact version designed to send notes that have been written on a built-in notepad. The unit has been available in the U.S. since early spring. The Panafax UF5 is a larger unit that is more like a traditional fax machine and can be placed on a desk or mounted on a wall. NEC Corp. offers a similar unit, the NEFAX 10, which is capable of sending documents up to 10-by-14 inches. A carrying case is available for easy transportability. Canon has also entered this market with its FaxPhone 10. Both the Canon and the NEC machines have only recently become available in the Us. Fujitsu Ltd. offers a slightly larger machine which has sold well in Japan, while Ricoh, which has thus far captured much of the fax market in the U.S., has introduced the MT-5, a fax notepad similar to Matsushita's model.

Libraries considering the implementation of electronic mail might consider the faxphone option.

Long distance rate differences narrow

According to a recent California Consumer Action Survey, price differences among the three major long distance telephone carriers are narrowing, in part as a result of recent industry mergers. The survey found that although long distance telephone rates generally are lower than they were six months ago, the gap between AT&T and its two major competitors, MCI Communications Corp. and U.S. Sprint Communications Co., has narrowed to less than 3 percent. The difference between the highest and lowest prices charged by the three for 24 sample domestic calls was $1.36, down from $2.44 reported in the last survey by the Consumer Action group. A concern raised by the Consumer Action staff is that the mergers of MCI with Satellite Business Systems and of GTE Sprint with US Telecom have resulted in a less competitive marketplace, though the cost of long distance service as a whole has fallen since the last survey. The total cost of AT&T service for the sample calls fell by $5.90 while comparable bills from MCI and US Sprint dropped by $5.25 and $4.73, respectively. For further information on service and cost options when considering long distance telephone service, Consumer Reports (May 1986) provided an analysis that could be of value to library managers as well as library users.

Bridging VAX with IBM PC/AT

Virtual Microsystems, Inc. has announced the AT/BRIDGE, which provides VAX users with IBM PC/AT compatibility. The product offers a convenient PC/AT bus interface connection to a wide variety of IBM PC option cards, such as expansion memory and controller cards for floppy disks, hard disks, and network interfaces. The essential elements of an IBM PC/AT have been compressed onto a board which can be plugged into the bus of a VAX, enabling a user to operate a broad base of PC/AT application software, including Lotus 1-2-3, dBASE III, etc. directly from any terminal. The board's INTEL 8-mHz 80286 microprocessor provides fast, high performance for the VAX in addition to the PC/AT compatibility. Its IBM PC 8250 UART serial interface controller enables users to run off-the-shelf communications packages such as Crosstalk. Each AT board includes the microprocessor, 1 MB of RAM, an IBM-compatible RS-232 port, an optional 80287 floating point processor, and an IBM PC/AT bus interface. The AT/BRIDGE currently works with UNIBUS, running VMS. Its price is $7,500.

[Contact: Virtual Microsystems Inc., 2150 Shattuck Ave., Suite 300, Berkeley, CA 94704; (415) 841-9594.]

American made XT AND AT clones

Much has been made lately about the relative merits of the original IBM/XT and IBM/AT personal computers versus the so-called clones or lookalikes. Concurrently, there is a great deal of interest on the part of many Americans to "buy

Company	AT Compatible	price*
AT&T Information Systems	PC 6300 Plus**	$5,420
Compaq Computer Corp.	Deskpro 286	$4,254
Cordata	ATP	$3,695- 6,995
Hewlett-Packard	Vectra Office 2	$6,049
IBM (Entry Systems Div.)	PC AT	$5,570
ITT Information Systems Div.	Xtra XL	$5,524-12,524
Kaypro Corp.	Kaypro 286i	$4,140
Tandon Corp.Systems Div.	PCA	$2,365-3,785
Tandy Corp/Radio Shack	Tandy 3000	$4,048-4,946
Zenith Data Systems Corp.	Z-200	$4,698
* Price for hard disk version with monitor. ** Noncompatible competitor to AT

Company	XT Compatible	price*
AT&T Information Systems.	PC 6300	$2,820
Compaq Computer Corp.	. Deskpro	$2,654
Cordata.	PC400-XT	$1,995
Hewlett-Packard .	Vectra Office 1	$4,879
IBM (Entry Systems Div.) .	PC XT	$2,570
ITT Information Systems Div..	Xtra XP	$3,220-3,350
Kaypro Corp. .	Kaypro PC	$1,595
Tandon Corp. .	PCX	$1,485- 1,985
Tandy Corp/Radio .	Shack Tandy 1200	$1,149
Zenith Data Systems Corp. .	Z-158	$2,396
Price for two floppy drives, 256 KB, monitor, except 640KB for AT&T and H-P, and 512KB for Cordata.

American." Without suggesting either that libraries should purchase IBM equipment over any of the host of compatibles, or that libraries should necessarily purchase American-made equipment over foreign-made equipment, nonetheless, options do exist in the marketplace which mesh the two concepts. At the left is a summary of American made AT and XT compatible equipment, listing model names and numbers, list prices, and distribution channels. For a brief review of the companies and products listed and the prospects for their success in the fight for market share, see Micro Marketworld, Vol. 9, No. 16, August 11, 1986, pp. 30-36.

And more IBM PC compatibles

Tandy Corporation--better known by the name of its Radio Shack subsidiary-- recently introduced a set of IBM PC compatible machines which operate at a faster speed than their IBM counterparts. Tandy's 1000 SX comes with a clock speed of 7.16 mHz, while the IBM PC operates on a 4.77 mHz clock. The clock on the 000 SX enables users to perform software tasks up to 25 percent faster than they could with the IBM PC. The machine comes with 384 KB of memory and retails for $1,199. To rival the IBM PC/XT, Tandy unveiled the 3000 HL. Unlike the XT, which has an 8068 microprocessor, the 3000 FTh has an 80286 microprocessor and the faster processor allows the machine to run at four times the speed of the IBM. The 3000 HL comes with 512 KB of memory. 20 MB, 40 MB and 70 MB hard disks are optional. The machine retails for $1,699. Tandy's AT compatible, the 3000 HD, comes with a 40 MB hard disk drive which has an access speed of 28 milliseconds. The IBM PC/AT comes with a 30 MB hard disk with an access speed of 35 milliseconds. The 3000 MD comes with 640 bytes of RAM. The machine retails for $4,299.

HiTech International has released the SAM 3001, a high-speed IBM PC/AT compatible microcomputer which retails for $1,395. The SAM 3001 is based on C> Intel's 80286 microprocessor and includes 1 MB of RAM, a 1.2 MB floppy-disk drive, and two serial and one parallel ports. The SAM 3001 also comes with either a mono-chrome or color board and an 80287 mathematical coprocessor also is available. The system includes a one-year warranty that covers parts and labor.

[Contact: Tandy/Radio Shack, 1800 One Tandy Center, Fort Worth, TX 76102; (817) 390-3011. HiTech International, 1180-M Mira Loma Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94086; (406) 738-0601.]

Peachtree Technology offers hard disk for Macintosh

Peachtree Technology, Inc. now offers the S-20Plus hard-disk drive for the Apple Macintosh personal computer. The S-20Plus has 20 MB of formatted disk space and may be connected to the Macintosh's Small Computer System Interface. The drive is said to be faster than the standard Macintosh drive, the HD-20. The 3 1/2-inch drive offers an on-drive controller mount and provides an error correction and disk-defect management on a sector level. The drive can perform self-diagnostic tests, identifying up to 28 different fault conditions. The S-20Plus retails for $1,395 and comes with a one-year warranty.

[Contact: Peachtree Technology, Inc., 3120 Crossing Park, Norcross, GA 30071; (404) 662-5158.]

Four PCs able to share one printer

Support Systems International has released the MultiSwitch, a device that allows up to four IBM PCs to share a single parallel printer. The MultiSwitch can automatically feed the printer data from a PC without software or manual commands. The MultiSwitch also features internal line drivers to boost the data signals. With the switch, printers may be placed up to 100 feet from the PC. Each time the unit is turned on, it performs a self diagnosis. Lights on the front panel show the status of the unit and its four channels. The unit is available for $495.

[Contact: Support Systems International, 150 South Second Street, Richmond, CA 95804; (415) 234-9090.)

Operate PC by voice commands

Microphonics Technology offers a voice-controlled, personal computer-based communications workstation called Vox/Com PC. The product, compatible with IBM personal computers and Hayes modems, provides voice control of many standard software applications. Vox/Com PC incorporates the company's Pronounce voice control system and a 1,200-baud-per-second modem into a 20 MB hard-disk drive. The product includes a 5 1/4-inch disk drive, a monochrome display and an IBM PC/AT style keyboard. The Pronounce function allows users to operate PC-DOS applications with voice commands. A microphone and sample voice commands are included in the $2,495 retail price. The internal modem may be upgraded to 2,400 bps for an additional $199.

[Contact: Microphonics Technology Corp., Auburn. WA 98002; (800) 325-9206.]

Public domain user-supported programs on CD-ROM

PC-SIG, a clearinghouse for public domain and user-supported software, is selling a CD-ROM optical disk holding 490 "volumes" of applications and utilities for PC- and MS-DOS machines. The collection covers word processing, communications, accounting, and programming software. Educational programs, games, printer utilities, languages, and BASIC development tools are also on the disk. The collection cost $195 and users are asked to send donations to authors of programs which perform satisfactorily. PC-SIG also sells a Hitachi CD-ROM player, PC controller, cabling, and software drivers for $995.

[Contact: PC-SIC Inc., 1030D East Duane Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086; (408) 730-9291.]

Hewlett-Packard offers ink-jet printer

Hewlett-Packard's new Quietjet Plus ink-jet printer offers draft and near-letter quality printing. The printer works with the IBM PC, XT, and AT, as well as with compatibles, the Apple II series and Macintosh computers. According to HP, the wide-carriage printer operates at 40 characters per second for near-letter quality and at 160 cps (10 pitch) and 192 cps (12 pitch) for draft quality. It offers three graphics resolutions: 96x96 dots per inch, l92x96 dpi, and 192x192 dpi. The Quietjet handles tractor-feed and cut-sheet paper in widths from 5 to 15 inches. It features RS-232C and Centronics interfaces and comes with HP's Printer Command language. The printer retails for $799.

[Contact: Hewlett-Packard, 1820 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303; (800) 367-4772.)

Fujitsu printer emulates Diablo and IBM

Fujitsu America has redesigned its DL2400 dot-matrix printer to make it capable of emulating Diablo's 630 API and the IBM Graphics printer. The DL2400 prints letter-quality documents at 72 characters per second. Documents may be printed in draft form at 216 cps. The printer features a noise rating of 53 decibels and an embedded bidirectional tractor with automatic sheet load. Current DL2400 owners may upgrade their units by purchasing an EPROM kit which contains both printer commands for the Diablo 630 API and the IBM Graphics printer. The kit lists for $75, excluding installation. The DL2400 is available in monochrome and color versions for $1,195 and $1,395, respec-tively.

[Contact: Fujitsu America, Inc., 3055 Orchard Drive, San Jose, CA 95134; (408) 946-8777.]

Esprit adds DEC compatible CRT

Esprit Systems Inc. has announced the availability of ESP 6515, the newest addition to its line of DEC compatible video computer displays. The Esprit 6515 is a plug-for-plug emulation of the DEC VT220, and is fully compatible with all DEC VT100 applications software. By adding an Esprit 9310 module to the 6515, the system becomes a personal computer. The list price is $795. The 6515 is fully compatible with all major DEC system software, including "All-In-One" WIPS spreadsheet and file management program, and MASS-ll word processing, running under the VAX/VMS protocol. The 6515 runs the DEC system 10/20 accounting/ data base package and PDP-ll RSTS data inquiry application.

[Contact: Esprit Systems, Inc., 100 Marcus Dr., Melville, NY 11747.]

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