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The database manager ranks with the word processor and the spreadsheet as being one of the most important applications software packages for the small computer. A relational database system allows two or more databases to be used concurrently, the manipulation of one affecting the manipulation of the others. A circulation system is a good example of a relatively simple relational database management system. dBASE IV, microcomputer‐based package that can be employed for many library applications, is compared to its predecessor, dBASE III Plus, and is recommended pending elimination of existing bugs.

Except for word processing, the electronic spreadsheet is probably the most useful general purpose software for the microcomputer user. Almost all spreadsheets are now packaged in combination with other applications, such as database systems and graphic capabilities. To become proficient in the development of spreadsheet applications, one must be prepared to invest a certain amount of time and effort, but the user will be rewarded by the results. In addition to a general discussion of spreadsheets, the authors critically review Microsoft Excel, version 2.0 (for the IBM PS/2, PC‐AT, or compatibles), noting enhancements over earlier spreadsheets. A sidebar presents spreadsheet templets that can be used to manage a library retrospective conversion project.

CorelDRAW, version 2.0, is, basically, a drawing program that includes sophisticated handling of a variety of fonts; it is much more powerful and flexible than the Paintbrush drawing program that is bundled with Windows 3.0. It is, however, neither a wordprocessing program nor a desktop publishing program. Nevertheless one of the prime uses of CorelDRAW could be to prepare illustrations and creatively styled text to be incorporated into a document being prepared in a wordprocessor or desktop publishing system. The people who have designed and developed CorelDRAW have managed to produce a tool that is, on the one hand, complex, powerful, and infinitely capable of accommodating creative expression and, on the other hand, simple and straightforward in design, engineered to accommodate the human visual sense and manual dexterity, and provided with one of the best introductory packages available with a software program.

Artists operating under a studio model, such as Andy Warhol, have frequently been described as reducing their work to statements of authorship, indicated by the signature finally affixed to the work. By contrast, luxury goods manufacturers decry as inauthentic and counterfeit the handbags produced during off-shift hours using the same materials and craftsmanship as the authorized goods produced hours earlier. The distinction between authentic and inauthentic often turns on nothing more than a statement of authorship. Intellectual property law purports to value such statements of authenticity, but no statement has value unless it is accepted as valid by its audience, a determination that depends on shared notions of what authenticity means as well as a common understanding of what authenticity designates.

Abutment damage in liquefied ground is an important form of seismic damage of bridge structure. This paper aims to further research the effect of beam restriction on seismic damage mode of abutment in liquefied ground.

Based on the investigation of the seismic damage of Shengli Bridge in Tangshan earthquake, the finite element software dynamic effective stress analysis for ground (UWLC) is used to simulate the seismic damage of Shengli Bridge, and the results were compared with the actual seismic damage results. Then, the influences of the horizontal binding force of the beam, the liquefaction layer thickness, the top weight of the abutment, the peak acceleration, the liquefaction layer buried depth and the type of the foundation soil on the abutment seismic damage model are studied.

The results show that numerical simulation results are consistent with the actual seismic damage, and it is feasible to use UWLC software to simulate seismic damage. The results show that the seismic failure mode of the gravity abutment in liquefied ground is slip–rotation coupling type, not single slip type or rotation type. The large deformation of abutment bottom layer, horizontal binding force of the beam and post-stage soil pressure are the main reasons for abutment rotation or even destruction.

A series of basic assumptions are used in the calculation process in this paper. The gravity abutment is defined as the elastic body and neglects its local deformation. The soil layer is a homogeneous isotropic. The consolidation process and the drainage boundary problem are not considered in the calculation process. Therefore, the paper may have some limitations.

To further research the seismic damage mode and influencing factors of abutment in liquefied ground, in this paper, based on the investigation of the seismic damage of Shengli Bridge in Tangshan earthquake, the finite element software UWLC is used to simulate the seismic damage of Shengli Bridge, and the results were compared with the actual seismic damage results. The seismic damage mode and influencing factors of gravity abutment in liquefied ground have been studied.

An original concept for a Web‐based role play “SurfingGlobalChange” is proposed on the basis of multi‐year interdisciplinary teaching experience and constructivist pedagogy. Underlying didactic orientation is towards self‐guided learning, acquiring socially compatible “competence to act” in a globalised world, self‐optimising social procedures inside teams, process‐orientation and peer‐review instead of teacher’s review. Participating students find themselves in an argumentative battle where they put their marks at stake. A comparison with similar games highlights the increased level of responsibility attributed to and expected from learners using this kind of “digital game‐based learning”.

The North American Free Trade Agreements (NAFTA) purports to eliminate barriers to free trade among the North American nations of Canada, the United States and Mexico. The vehicles to this end are the phaseout of tariffs and accords concerning intellectual property rights, land transportation, and aspects of the environment. Full implementation is scheduled to take place by January 1, 1998 (Ernst and Young, 1991). One of NAFTA's prime advantages for the United States is the possibility of new business opportunities. Major questions arising from these advantages are: which country contains the better opportunity? Moreover, how is this determined? Based on collected data, certain environmental factors and subfactors were most important in assessing the business potential of each country. These factors, along with corresponding subfactors, are market potential (market size, competition); political; social (education, crime); cultural (language); and economic (exchange rate, transportation, labor, tariffs). A discussion of these factors on Mexico and Canada follows.

The purpose of this paper is to understand the factors and conditions that influence national human resource development (NHRD) in Brazil. In this paper, the transitioning nature of the political, economic, social and educational conditions; the current challenges and trends that may impact NHRD; and the current status of NHRD research in Brazil are examined.

A search of the research literature focused on the political, economic, cultural, social and educational environment and the research associated with NHRD in Brazil was conducted. After searching several databases, including Academic Search Complete, Google Scholar, ERIC and EBSCO, several articles were selected and analyzed based on the depth of description of the conditions and research.

Among the factors discovered, race, gender and educational equality are still concerns. The complex nature of the relationship between the Brazilian Government, its people and organizations, as well as the efforts of Brazil’s multinational and indigenous organizations to address their national development needs, are also presented.

Brazil is currently and projected to be a long-term player in the global economy; however, it struggles to cope with conditions incongruent to the country’s long-term success. This paper frames the conditions and suggests ways of moving forward through human resource development practice, policy and research in Brazil.

A workforce comprising individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds necessitates attention to subordinate leadership preferences. Exploratory studies conducted within an Australian Government department examined the mix of leadership behaviours that different cultural workgroups preferred their supervisors to display. Transactional and transformational leadership approaches were explored and workgroups were classified either as Australian or Non‐Australian background (NAB). Case study methodology employing semi‐structured interviews, written surveys, organisational document review and on‐site observations was used. Findings indicate that Australian supervisors and their subordinates were not aware of the types of, or the subordinates’ preferences for leadership behaviours displayed by the supervisors. While both cultural workgroups preferred transformational leadership behaviours, they differed in the mix and intensity of transactional and transformational leadership behaviours they would prefer their supervisors to display. The findings have significance for supervisory leadership practices and leadership training for organisations and leaders who wish to develop their culturally diverse workgroup leadership skills.