Discussion of the evolution of a postindustrial, knowledge-based society addresses the importance of intellectual power and information technology as strategic resources, communications technology, development of the National Research and Education Network (NREN), the need for creative software applications, implications of advanced information…

Discussion of the U.S. research and development community focuses on the education system and access to information. Topics discussed include demographic changes; computer networks that link research and higher education, including the National Research and Education Network (NREN); and the need for a corporation with national responsibility for…

Describes Pennsylvania Research and Economics Partnership Network (PREPnet), which links research universities, Bell of Pennsylvania, and the State of Pennsylvania. Highlights include the U.S. communications and information infrastructure compared to other countries; and the need for national networks that will link higher education; business,…

The Office of Technology Assessment is conducting an assessment of the effects of new information technologies--including high performance computing, data networking, and mass data archiving--on research and development. This paper offers a view of the issues and their implications for current discussions about Federal supercomputer initiatives…

Describes the development of the national integrated online information network in the Republic of China. Highlights include a history of library and information automation in Taiwan, the coordination efforts of the central government, creation of the Chinese MARC format, and automation under the leadership of the National Central Library.…

Discusses the National Information Infrastructure and outlines proposed legislation and administrative initiatives that suggest a radical restructuring of existing support mechanisms for libraries. The need for an information and telecommunications policy is addressed; the telecommunications industry is described; and access to federal government…

Officials from higher education, government, and industry are examining ways to create and maintain a nationwide computerized information network. Issues include the choice of technology, locus of responsibility, financial support, copyrights, and making the system useful for the majority of individuals. (MSE)

Describes the National Information System project in Uganda that is being developed to support economic development goals; discusses creation of a national information policy; and considers personnel needs, training methods, materials, and facilities. A sidebar describes Nigeria's scientific information network. (Contains three references.) (LRW)

Traces the growth of national information networks from the original network (ARPAnet) to the Internet and the National Research and Education Network (NREN). Reviews the debate on national networking, including issues related to the technology itself and policies that will shape it, and whether community colleges stand to gain or lose after the…

This paper presents the Virtual Reference Desk project, its current activities, and a proposed information system architecture to build a human intermediated network of expertise and experience for the K-12 community. The Virtual Reference Desk is a project headed by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology and funded by the U.S.…

Discusses the National Research and Education Network (NREN) and explains its role in the information infrastructures of higher education and research. Stages in the growth of NREN from 1970 to 2015 are described, finances are discussed, prospects for management and users are considered, and suggestions for future growth, finances, and public…

Information for development has become one of the most pressing issues of the last decade, which Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have to tackle on an urgent basis. The need and urgency for planning national information systems has been clearly pointed out in several international conferences. Major research and development centers of…

This paper, which was presented to National Aeronautics and Space Administration librarians as part of a telecommunications conference, describes features of the proposed National Research and Education Network (NREN). First, NREN's predecessor, the National Science Foundation network (the current NSFnet/Internet system), is discussed and the…

This booklet covers the development of Unesco's General Information Program (PGI), which was created in 1977 to insure a coherent development of Unesco's work in the areas of scientific and technological information, documentation, libraries, and archives. A description of the history of the organization and its predecessors, the structure of the…

Rural areas lag behind urban areas in access to information technologies. Public institutions play a critical role in extending the benefits of information technologies to those who would not otherwise have access. The most successful rural telecommunications plans address barriers to use, such as unawareness of the benefits, technophobia, the…