Twitter provides rapid information in a short form, and it is extremely easy to follow the updates of others because of myriad software applications with which it works on both mobile devices and traditional computing hardware. Currently, most academic librarians are using Twitter primarily as a tool at library conferences and seminars to capture…

Despite the hype, IP convergence does not happen overnight. Navigating the IP convergence market is not easy. Some network equipment makers are taking traditional voice over IP (VoIP) product lines and rebranding them as unified communications offerings. But beware: While closely related, VoIP and UC are not the same. Generally speaking, VoIP…

Wikis and blogs may be today's Web 2.0 darlings, but forward-looking institutions are going after the next big thing: collaboration in real time. As mainstream technology has advanced and the cost of web conferencing has dropped, a growing number of institutions are finding creative ways to achieve synchronous collaboration. What's more, the…

The Satellite Interconnection Project was created for the purpose of investigating the interest and need for improved interconnection, faster and of greater capacity than the capability of present systems, especially among Alaska state-supported users of video and audio transmissions. The intent was to explore the cost-benefit and the potential…

Presents a literature review that covers the following topics related to virtual communities: (1) information and virtual community; (2) virtual communities and communities of practice; (3) virtual communities and virtual arenas, including virtual community networks; and (4) networked virtual communities. (Contains 175 references.) (MES)

Presents insights into the state of networking of the near future. Discusses the promotion of virtual reality in every-day society; the unlimited bandwidth of optical networking; and terrestrial wireless links tethered to optical tools. (AEF)

This paper, one in a series of information briefs related to the Internet and taxation, contains a simplified overview of the Internet and a glossary of terms that are commonly encountered in discussing the Internet. Terms that are included in this glossary are italicized when they are used elsewhere in the paper. A series of questions are asked…

Managers need to understand the tradeoffs associated with voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) networks as compared to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This article measures the preference structures between IP telephony and PSTN services using conjoint analysis. The purpose is to suggest VoIP technology attributes that best meet…

Reports on a case study at an organization that created MADIC, an innovative approach to developing mobile applications developed by third party independent developer. Presents MMO2's, a conceptual wireless reference model used to define the various system constituents required to create effective mobile applications. (Author/AEF)

Discusses the development of the Internet and its uses and applications, including e-mail, information sources, collaborative projects, public forums, and audio/video conferencing. Describes the following Internet tools and resources: Gopher, Veronica, Pine, Telnet, WAIS, Usenet, ListServe, Archie, and World Wide Web. Includes a glossary and…

Integrated remote access servers support many different types of access. Remote access has been integrated as a strategic tool as application developers build remote access capabilities into their software. Discusses demands of using remote access as a strategic component and management matters. (AEF)

Discusses the concept of "Blur" (described in "Blur: The Speed of Change in the Connected Economy") and what the technology-based, expanded connectivity means for K-12 educators and information specialists. Reviews online and print resources that deal with the rapid development of technology and its effects on society. (AEF)

Examines how ongoing content management needs and tasks affect organizations that maintain Web-based information systems (Web IS). Investigates how organizational context shapes content management practice and configuration of the underlying Web IS technology. Presents a model of the socio-technical context of Web IS content management. (AEF)

Beginning with a brief history of the synergistic relationship between technology and literacy, this article examines the need for redefining literacy beyond print-based communications. It suggests that literacy, in a computer-networked society, is not solely about reading the printed word, but rather, that it encompasses receiving and sending…

Multicasting is a necessity for a broadband metro-area-network; however security problems exist with current multicast protocols. A stateful multicast access control mechanism, based on MAPE, is proposed. The architecture of MAPE is discussed, as well as the states maintained and messages exchanged. The scheme is flexible and scalable. (Author/AEF)