Page 100 - 1986

ii

Janet Crippen Uae Gindt
Librarian Library Ride

By Brian Gibbs
F or ages it has been the
tradition of the student,
when faced with the as­
signment of a term paper, to
panic. He groans and com­
plains, finally slinking into the
library with the suspicion that he
will have to spend many
Elaine Schmeling sniriy Banner monotonous hours searching
Library IMC Ride Math
through hundreds of massive
volumes for information he
hasn’t the faintest interest in.
Usually this gross vision
actually happens.Things might
be different for the student of
the future. As technology has
done for toast, so has
happened to researching
i i information.

The Ralston School District has
Richard Emsick Duane Hemmlnger stumbled upon a new computer
Math, assistant football, Math, Student Council system christened Database
assistant freshman class sponsor, head junior that will provide complete
sponsor class sponsor information on any subject to a
student. All he need do is sit at
the phone, as all teenagers
must know how to do, and take
notes. If the student is wealthy
enough he can hire a computer
printer to take his notes.
The only problem that has kept
Database out of the hands of
the students is the cost. "Too
expensive," said Janet Crippen,
Ralston High School Librarian.
To use the system a student
Tom Mruz Lynn Osterholm would have to pay not only the
Math, assistant Math, assistant hookup and service fees, but
Lurestling coach sophomore class the long distance telephone
sponsor!
charge. Database would be
linked by phone to main
computers in Litham, New York.
An hour on Database "could
easily consume $25," said Mike
Burns, Director of Technology
and Testing for the Ralston
School District.
A special 17-member task
committee was the only group
using Database this year. Burns
Kendall Peterson James Reiff said that this committee used
Math, girls' golf coach Math, Math the computer system to
research how other schools in
Department Chairman,
senior class sponsor, the nation were using systems
math club like Database. Besides Ralston,
92 Library/Math Westside is the only other Metro
area school heavily involved
with this research aid.