Describes the Pan-Pacific Education and Communication Experiments by Satellite (PEACESAT), a public service telecommunication program developed to facilitate the use of telecommunications and information technologies. Highlights include the historical development; digital capabilities; cooperation and collaboration with users, government, and…

In order to ensure that the United States maintains an advanced information infrastructure, the Council on Competitiveness has started a project on the 21st century infrastructure. Participating in this project are the many different parties who are providing and using the infrastructure, including cable companies, regional Bell companies, long…

Discusses netiquette, which refers to etiquette on computer networks. Highlights include ethical or moral issues as well as standards of politeness; specific examples and suggestions; netiquette rules for advertising; influence of online service providers, including acceptable use policies; influence of employers; and influence of governments.…

Reviews current federal legislation that concerns the National Information Infrastructure. Highlights include telecommunications deregulation; activities of cable and telecommunication industries, including Regional Bell Operating Companies; allowing telephone companies to provide video services; plans of the Clinton administration; and concerns…

Describes the work of the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID) to create Internet 2, with high speed networks, quality applications, and group collaboration. Topics include the Internet 2 technologies; advanced applications; middleware; the advanced network initiative; and partnerships between the academic, corporate,…

Examines the role of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the development of the National Information Infrastructure (NII). Highlights include the standards process; voluntary standards; Open Systems Interconnection problems; Internet Protocol Suite; consortia; government's role; and network security. (16 references) (LRW)

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 issues raised at the 1991 spring conference of the Association of College and Research Libraries/New England Chapter (ACRL/NEC) concerning computer networks and libraries. Highlights include national information policy; library resources and services; developments at the National Agricultural Library (NAL); ILLINET; resource sharing in…

Connecting every classroom, library, hospital, and clinic in the United States to the National Information Infrastructure (NII) is a priority for the Clinton Administration. This document provides a status report on this initiative by drawing from current data regarding Internet connectivity, a benchmark for NII access. Chapter 1 of the report…

Discussion of the National Information Infrastructure and changes in telecommunications highlights the roles of the Clinton administration and the Department of Commerce; congressional activity, including regulatory committees; state regulations concerning local exchange carriers and cable television companies; the private sector; and the role of…

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)

Discusses the National Research and Education Network (NREN) and the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET), and the role that interagency cooperation and government-industry cooperation have played in their formation. The role of the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (FCCSET) and future plans are also…

Describes the Canadian Database Promotion Initiative (CDPI), which was created to develop projects that link telecommunications with information technologies for a variety of business and educational organizations. Topics discussed include computer-mediated communications; networks for businesses, research organizations, and universities; and the…

Discusses the addition of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration database to the National Science Foundation's NSFnet data communication network. Outlines the history of databases in the United States and enumerates proposed upgrades from a new Office of Science and Technology policy report. (TW)

Discusses the development of the National Research and Education Network (NREN), the emerging National Information Infrastructure, and their implications for libraries. Topics addressed include the growth of commercial accounts in the Internet; the role of government; national legislation; and the expanding role of telephone and cable television…