Three-quarters of U.S. residents used the Internet to access information, education, and services in 2007. Widespread Internet adoption suggests it has great value to individuals, businesses, and communities. Broadband Internet access is becoming essential for both businesses and households; many compare its evolution to other technologies now…

Federal agencies are increasingly using electronic means to create, exchange, and store information, and in doing so, they frequently create federal records: that is, information, in whatever form, that documents government functions, activities, decisions, and other important transactions. As the volume of electronic information grows, so does…

This white paper proposes bringing the federal government, state governments, and the private sector together as part of a new approach to making high-speed Internet services available across the country. It proposes the creation of a new federal Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) that, together with matching funds from the states and the private…

Rapidly developing online information technologies provide dramatically new capabilities and opportunities, and place new responsibilities on all involved to recreate networks for scholarly communication. Collaborations between all segments of the information network are made possible and necessary as we attempt to find a balanced and mutually…

Describes the Electronic Information Network, a project created by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in conjunction with public libraries in Pennsylvania's Allegheny County. The project uses the library's vision, funding, and librarian expertise to provide public access to community information on the Internet. Sidebars present steps and issues…

Introduces the digital object as a logical structure for organizing information expressed as sequences of bits. The characteristics of digital objects are compared to the attributes of fixation in a material objects and shown to be generally equivalent. Copyright rights of distribution, as well as public performance, in a network environment are…

This paper discusses the need for intellectual preservation which addresses the integrity and authenticity of information as originally recorded. This need arises with the advent of digital information where an identical copy can be quickly made with an undetectable change. The problem which confronts any user of an electronic document is how the…

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…

The main barriers for Latin America's participation in the digital culture are: the few people with access to technology; the technological infrastructure; lack of relevant contents in primary languages; and English as the predominant language of the global information infrastructure. Nations should focus on infrastructure, contents, and access.…

This exploration of ethical conflicts created by information technology and their impacts on teachers, scholars, and students begins by discussing the issue of fairness or ethics, with emphasis on what is fair or ethical in obtaining access to electronic information. Technological barriers involved in obtaining access to desired electronic…

Examines new opportunities for wireless technologies on the Internet and discusses electronic mail, costs, problems, vendors of cellular modems, improvements, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) services, high-performance wireless networks, and satellites. Describes type, coverage, approximate speed, availability, and Internet access of major…

Changes in library services due to advancing information technology constitute a revolution comparable to invention of the printing press. Democratization of access to knowledge is a positive development, but it should not be confused with democratization of knowledge. This is where any system of information networking may be misleading; in…

Integrated Online Library Systems (IOLS) focuses exclusively on the issues of planning and managing automated systems in libraries and information centers. The theme of the IOLS '98 annual meeting is "Embrace and Extend," and 18 papers were selected for presentation that provide insight into the current technologies being "embraced" in libraries.…

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)