Explains light-wave communication and optical fibers. The impact of fiber optics on communication is discussed; uses of fiber optic technology in elementary, secondary, and higher education are described; and possible futures of light-wave communication are considered, including Integrated Services Digital Networks and the National Research and…

Describes the development of a model for future national and international digital libraries. Four aspects of the model are presented: (1) nine principles underlying constructing electronic archives; (2) a study of potential user needs; (3) the design and evaluation of the user interface; and (4) objects and document type definition development.…

Discusses the development and impact of broadband ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) on global telecommunications and society. Issues covered include regulatory policies, ownership and control, content regulation, home access, rural versus urban access, pricing, user groups, barriers, and privacy. The need for greater public involvement is…

Describes the proposed Blacksburg Electronic Village project, a prototype community telecommunications network which delivers network services to an entire Virginia town. Possible educational, business and professional, civic, and quality of life uses are suggested. The importance of concentrating on applications and user services instead of…

Outlines the development of an independent, nonprofit online community information network. Governance, information services, Internet access, development and funding, and partnerships are discussed. Community networks as local platforms for pilot projects and their value as local coalitions are explored. Sample menus and screens are included.…

Offers a tutorial on telecommunications that covers the basic concepts, types, techniques, and protocols of data communications. Current scenarios for computer communications networks, their connectivity to global telecommunication environments, and global online retrieval services are discussed. Ten data communication networks and seven online…

Reviews electronic language data oriented specifically toward linguistic and language research, including machine-readable versions of established dictionaries; text databases, including newspapers and books; speech databases with phonetic/orthographic transcriptions; and bulletin boards and news groups available over computer networks. (17…

Discusses conversion projects that move information from one format to another. Planning considerations are discussed; types of conversion processes are described, including conversion between computers using software, cables, or networks; special conversions are examined, including CD-ROMs and online databases; and companies that specialize in…

Describes the development of the Supreme Court Opinion Network (SCON) which evolved from the need for the Electronic Dissemination of Opinions (EDO). The roles of the Court, vendors, and publishers are explained; funding is discussed; and the computer system that ultimately emerged, Project Hermes, is described. (Contains 16 references.) (LRW)

Provides an overview of databases that include the best information about Latin America. Highlights include problems with using "Latin America" as a search concept; Latin American information on DIALOG; the dominance of TEXTLINE among the major newswires; comparisons between DIALOG and other online services; specialized Latin American…

Describes online resources that address environmental issues. Highlights include information sources on the Internet; electronic bulletin boards, including those from departments of the federal government; online databases; databases on diskette; CD-ROMs from government and commercial suppliers; and nonelectronic sources of information. (LRW)

In response to concerns about the cost of keeping up with individual desktop computing technology, several new solutions have emerged. Referred to as "thin clients," or network-centric computers, they include two types of desktop device: the network computer and the Windows terminal. Purchase cost, life span, support costs, and overall total cost…

Discusses the New Learning Communities (NLC) program developed by CNI (Coalition for Networked Information) to support pioneers in education who use networking and networked information to support student-centered teaching and learning. Highlights include computer networks in higher education, especially the Internet; information literacy skills;…

Discusses the use of firewalls for library intranets, highlighting the move from mainframes to PCs, security issues and firewall architecture, and operating systems. Provides a glossary of basic networking terms and a bibliography of suggested reading. (PEN)

Presents suggestions to assist distance educators in making instructional development choices to maximize the effectiveness of available bandwidth. Discusses identification of available bandwidth and describes four variables that can be manipulated to reduce the consumption of bandwidth (time/place, fidelity, degree of realism, level of…