Discusses policy decisions that led to the privatization and commercialization of NSFnet; explains the roles of IBM, MCI Communications, and ANS (Advanced Network and Service); and suggests the role that the federal government should take to ensure that the NREN (National Research and Education Network) addresses issues of public access and…

Summarizes OCLC's linking strategy for national networks, i.e., the Internet and the National Research and Education Network (NREN). The telecommunications environment for libraries is discussed and aspects of network links are considered, including governance, performance/support, economics, and future developments. Planning strategies for…

Explains the work of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility regarding privacy issues in the use of electronic networks; recommends principles that should be adopted for a National Information Infrastructure privacy code; discusses the need for public education; and suggests pertinent legislative proposals. (LRW)

Discussion of legal and ethical issues raised by the growth of research networking focuses on two general areas: (1) communication, prepublication, and publication; and (2) the network as a distribution environment. Issues considered include joint authorship, rights in computer conferencing, derivative works, control of dissemination, site…

Reports on conferences held by federal agencies in 1991 and 1992 that addressed issues of public access to electronic government information. Topics discussed include agency information dissemination programs; public access to federal computers; security controls; and user charges. A working draft policy framework on public access to government…

Surveys four possible types of multimedia computer systems: hypermedia, multimedia database, multimedia message, and virtual reality systems. The potential use of multimedia computer systems as public access systems in libraries is discussed, including fiscal, legal, organizational, standardization, and technological challenges that would have to…

Discusses U.S. science and technical information (STI) policy since the 1960s and the recent move toward a diffusion-oriented STI policy. Highlights include reasons why STI is important to national competitiveness, the National Research and Education Network as an information infrastructure, and creation of a committee to coordinate STI policy…

Both a classification of the relatively new standards-setting consortia and a theoretical basis for their emergence are developed. It is noted that the theory is based on the confluence of political theory and the theory of markets, and the implications of these consortia for the standards-setting process are considered from theoretical and…

Discusses the need for proposing and implementing an information technology standards policy for the federal government. Topics addressed include the National Information Infrastructure (NII); voluntary standards among federal agencies; private sector organizations; coordinating the use of standards; enforcing compliance; policy goals; a framework…

Describes a study commissioned by the Office of Technology Assessment that was conducted to identify innovative information technology applications, management practices, and policies to help integrate the electronic delivery of federal government services. Highlights include the information infrastructure, existing federal information policy,…

Discusses national information policy changes that are hoped to occur in the Clinton administration. Topics addressed include the Reagan/Bush legacy of privatization; public access to electronic databases; citizen involvement through information technologies such as computer networks; pricing for government information products and services;…

Discussion of elementary and secondary school classrooms linking with the Internet focuses on policies needed for successful use of the network. A project conducted at Northwestern University (Illinois) for reconceptualizing high school science education is described, and development of a network use policy is examined. (LRW)

New policies are needed for the U.S. telecommunications industry. The continuation of current policies--which emphasize customer and convenience services to the near exclusion of developing domestically produced equipment and improving infrastructure--will constrain the domestic growth of U.S. corporations and make it difficult for smaller…

Focuses on the economic, social, and legal aspects of copyright issues that need to be addressed by rightsholders and users in a computer networked environment. The Electronic Copyright Management System, a project that demonstrates procedures for handling copyright works, is described. Key sections of the copyright law are reviewed. (Contains six…

Discusses political implications of the restraints imposed by business groups and how they are affecting the depository library program, the National Research and Education Network, and the National Information Infrastructure. Highlights include pertinent legislation; the architecture of information networks; and possible future outcomes,…