Magazine

Problems and Possibilities of Electronic Theses and Dissertations, by Christian Weisser, John Baker, and Janice R. Walker

Proposed Formats for Electronic Theses and Dissertations

• Adobe Acrobat
  

  Adobe Acrobat is a software program that allows for the transfer of documents created in any electronic software package that prints through Windows (i.e., word processors and other text processors) to be made available on the World Wide Web. The documen ts can be downloaded and read using the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available for free downloading on the Web. It retains all formatting and graphics and may even allow for hot links and annotations. In addition, Adobe Acrobat files can be indexed an d searched by key words.

• SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language)
  

  Standard Generalized Markup Language uses tags (commands enclosed in brackets) within a document to embed various formatting codes, for example, <emphasis>...</emphasis>. Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), the language of WWW documents, is a s ubset of SGML, which uses specialized tags. Unlike HTML, however, SGML allows for embedding tags used in word processors and desktop publishing programs (such as PageMaker) and for the "exchange of information at any level of complexity among software, hardware, storage and presentation systems (including database management and publishing applications) without regard to the manufacturer's name on the label" (SGML Primer).

• University Microforms, Incorporated (UMI)
  

  UMI collects and distributes information via microform (both microfilm and microfiche), magnetic tape, paper, CD-ROM, and online, through ProQuest Direct, which enables users with a computer and a modem, or an Internet connection, to conveniently access UMI's vast collection of journals, periodicals, magazines, newspapers and other information sources. That information is available in image, text, a nd a unique UMI format that combines searchable text with graphs, charts and photos.