eHealth is an emerging service sector which has great potential to improve health care delivery to rural and remote communities, facilitate health surveillance, and promote health education and research. Despite the critical need for eHealth services in Australia based on the challenges of distance and human resources, its utility has yet to be…

Provides a framework for analyzing the utility, usability, and likeability of Internet and World Wide Web services, and illustrates applications to scholarly communities. Highlights include human factors; measuring Internet utility through growth of utilization; utility of the Web; a layered-protocol model of discourse through the Internet;…

This report summarizes the history of AskLN (Ask the Learning Network), a project funded by AT&T. It outlines valuable insights and information gained as a result of a successful 22 month run under the coordination of the Information Institute of Syracuse at Syracuse University (New York). In the spring of 1996, the Director of the AT&T…

More than 40 leading computer and telephony companies have united to lead the charge toward open standards and universal interoperability for Internet telephony products. The voice of IP Forum (VoIP) is working to define technical guidelines for two-party, real-time communications over IP networks, including provisions for compatibility with…

The extranet--use of the Internet by a corporation's employees and extranet partners for safe communication, collaboration, and commerce--presents the opportunity for true, value-added services on the part network managers. Those that outsource the physical infrastructure management to service providers will have a head start on other networking…

This document describes LeagueTLC: Transformational Learning Connections (http://www.league.org/leaguetlc/index.htm), a Web site created by the League for Innovation in the Community College with funding from the Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education (FIPSE). This Web site serves as a resource for community colleges by disseminating…

Nebrask@Online is a computer-based electronic information and communication service created by the Nebraska Library Commission. This article discusses its development, describes the operation of an online service and options for network development, and describes the public/private partnership that emerged as a model for network management…

Describes a broad framework for examining economic aspects of the Internet; the framework consists of four sets of processes, services, and participants, including information creation, use, communication, and value-added information processes. Each process involves several economic measures and relationships among these measures. Examples are…

Presents options that travelers can use to keep in e-mail contact. Discusses equipment/access issues related to traveling with a laptop; Internet cafes; free e-mail services; accessing home mail via a Web page; and new options e-mail access for travelers. Includes Internet resources on Internet access providers. (AEF)

Examines the growing demand for e-mail reference (Aska) service and how librarians can best manage an electronic help desk. Discusses problems of minimal information and anonymous patrons, followed by views on restricting/not restricting access to the service. Suggests ways to try to screen requests and specify a clientele. Notes the importance of…

The rapid growth over the last few years of online services designed to appeal to a mass market audience in the United States encouraged many of the companies operating these services to consider launching them in Europe. This paper concentrates primarily on the European market of online services. The services fall into three categories: United…

Discusses the commonly accepted human right to information, access to information in highly computerized societies, and protection of the interests of users of information. Considers the potential for morally doubtful or illegal activities that is created by easy access to computer networks and information services. Technical,…

Discusses issues raised by the development of remote reference. Two scenarios are proposed: (1) how Internet users and their information-seeking behavior challenge the traditional reference service model, its value system, and the librarian role in that model, and (2) a model of close linkages between librarians and users engaged as partners along…

Focuses on possibilities for providing reference service to remote users of digital collections. Discusses international digital reference networks; factors that limit global electronic reference service; and drawbacks of e-mail and use of real-time interactive technologies for the reference encounter. Highlights some pioneering projects. (AEF)

Growing numbers of libraries are experimenting with a new form of interactive reference to extend service to their patrons at the point-of-need and time-of-need. Examines digital reference for the altered user culture and point-of-need service products. Describes a pilot project offering chat reference service. Discuses developing service…