This extended abstract summarizes the findings of a study that examined nine scholar-focused public electronic discussion groups (EDGs) on BITNET. The roles, rules, and responsibilities of EDG owners are discussed, and several suggestions for enhancing the relationship between the EDG owner and membership are offered. (MES)

Examines commercial communications products that offer electronic mail and special interest forums to determine which would best meet the needs of members of Puppeteers of America and UNIMA (Union International de la Marionette). Services and costs of CompuServe, the WELL (Whole Earth Electronic Link), GEnnie, and Prodigy are described. (MES)

Provides a brief description of Usenet, the computer network, and discusses how it may be applied in library settings. How to become a Usenet user, when to choose Usenet instead of a listserv group, and its use as a discussion and reference tool are covered. Six examples of Usenet communications are included. (nine references) (KRN)

Presents the first half of a selected glossary of terms commonly used in discussions relating to the Internet and the National Research and Education Network (NREN). Highlights include various network names; organizations; acronyms; network research testbeds; computer conferences; file transfer protocol; Gopher; knowbot; and limited systems…

Lists and annotates 49 resources for research in the area of computer networks as vehicles for communication. Compiles sources that present research findings, pedagogical approaches, and theoretical discussions related to applications of computer-mediated communication systems--electronic mail, computer conferences, or bulletin boards. (RS)

This guide is intended as a brief orientation to the Bulletin Board System (BBS) used by the California Educational Research Cooperative (CERC) in a continuing effort to expand support services to its member districts and ancillary providers through operation of an electronic networking system. This facility provides a means through which…

Describes the Grace project's Group Communication Service which was developed to function in an Open Systems Interconnection global networking environment to aid in computer-supported cooperative work. A conceptual model of group communications is presented, system architecture and system navigation are explained, and two prototype activities are…

This report develops a model of a personal computer network for office use from the standpoint of the end user. A network designed for personal computers is differentiated from personal computers which must be attached to an existing communications system. Three types of the latter networks are discussed: (1) networks which connect personal…

Discusses how useful desktop conferencing has become in library services. Describes how real-time conference tools are convenient, efficient, cost-effective, and beneficial for those who are not able to come to the library. Presents a guide to current guide for conference tools for PC and Mac OS. (ontains 8 references.)(AUTH/MZ)

Discusses the variety of uses and benefits of computer conferencing for educators. (MG)

On July 1, 1991, the ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) Research Committee launched a pilot project to mentor academic librarians in their conduct of research. Since the mentors and protegees were potentially from all over the United States, the decision was made to mentor using the electronic conferencing capability of BITNET…

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…

Describes accomplishments of the Global Systems Analysis and Simulation (GLOSAS) project from 1973 to the present, including a system for global peace gaming. The capabilities of interactive multimedia to link people across political and geographic boundaries for joint study, debate, research, planetary problem solving, and political action are…

Examines the interworking between Internet- and ISDN-based conferences, and shows how Internet and ISDN multimedia conferencing environments can be connected. Describes the components of the Conference Management and Multiplexing Center, which act as a gateway between the two environments, and ISDN multimedia conferencing equipment. (Author/AEF)

Describes how BreadNet (a national computer network of English teachers) has come to dominate the routine of a high school class. Notes that BreadNet gives students new motivation to write, inquire, and learn. Describes classroom electronic writing exchanges and an electronic writers' workshop which posted essays on BreadNet. (RS)