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Microcomputer And Local Government, Donald F. Norris

Publications

In 1976, two young Californians named Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak started a revolution. It was a quiet revolution... no shots were fired... no demonstrations occurred... there were no casualties, but it was a revolution nevertheless... a revolution that will have long-lasting results. That year these two young men developed the Apple, the first commercially successful microcomputer.

Microcomputers And Small And Rural Local Governments: Final Report To The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Donald F. Norris

Publications

On June 17, 1982, the Center for Applied Urban Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha received an award of $72,212 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to conduct a training and technical assistance program in microcomputers and small and rural local governments. The overall purpose of this project was to enhance the management capabilities of these governments through the use of computers. The following is a brief report on the activities undertaken during the second year of the project.

Computing In Small Local Governments In Nebraska, Donald F. Norris

Publications

A 1983 study found that patterns of computer use among small local governments (cities under 50,000 and counties under 100 ,000) in seven plains and mountains states were not substantially different from the patterns of computing detected in earlier studies of larger governments. The 1983 study also found that, among other things, basic "housekeeping" functions were the most frequently automated activities; that computer adoption was associated with governmental size, form, type, and metropolitan status; and that most governments owned in-house minicomputers.

Microcomputers And Local Government: A Handbook -- Participants' Manual, Donald F. Norris

Publications

This handbook has its origins in a conversation between the author and Dr. Theodore Maher in the spring of 1981. The conversation centered on the role that we believed soon would be played by microcomputers in local governments and the concomitant need for training and technical assistance in the acquisition and use of microcomputers.

Microcomputers And Local Government: A Handbook -- Instructors' Manual, Donald F. Norris

Publications

This handbook, and its accompanying instructor's manual, was written to be used with a one- or two-day workshop on microcomputers and local governments. The handbook was designed· for the local government official with little or no familiarity with microcomputers and their applications to the world of government.

Computers And Small Local Governments: Uses And Users, Donald F. Norris

Publications

This article examines the adoption and use of computer technology by cities under 50,000 and counties under 100,000 in seven plains and mountain states. Smaller local governments were found to lag considerably behind their larger counterparts in computer adoption and extent of use. However, pat terns of use were not substantially different, with basic "housekeeping" functions being the most frequently automated.

Computer adoption was associated with size, government form and type, and metropolitan status. No relationship was found between financial status and computer adoption. Most governments used in-house computers, and most of these systems were minicomputers. The frequency of microcomputer …

Computers And Small Local Governments: A Survey Of Computer In The Plains And Mountain States, Donald F. Norris, David R. Dimartino

Publications

In July, 1982 the Center for Applied Urban Research (CAUR) of the University of Nebraska at Omaha was awarded a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to develop and test a training and technical assistance program to help small and rural local governments acquire and use microcomputer technology. This effort contains two major parts: 1) demonstrations of prototype methods in one or more Nebraska local governments that they can use to acquire microcomputer systems, and 2) development of training programs, training materials, and a film on microcomputers for local government officials.

Microcomputers And City Governments, Donald F. Norris, Vincent J. Webb

Publications

In 1976 a revolution occurred. blood was shed, but the effects No shots were fired, no of the revolution in electronic data processing have been felt throughout the country. What is more, its effects will continue to be felt for many years to come.

Microcomputer And Local Government: A Program For Small And Rural Communities, Donald F. Norris

Publications

For the first time since the Great Depression, local governments throughout the United States have begun to experience severe revenue-expenditure imbalances. Inflation, rising expectations, and citizen demands for services have produced governmental intervention into heretofore untouched areas. Combined with the generally decreasing rate of local revenue growth and with reductions in federal and state aid, this has produced serious fiscal problems for many local governments. With resources no longer available to provide prior levels of public services, many local governments have had to cut back on their activities.