Discusses issues involved in the creation of the National Research and Education Network (NREN). Telecommunications technology is described; support from industry and libraries is discussed; and problems with NREN are raised, including equal access to computerized information, privacy issues, and protection of First Amendment rights. (LRW)

Discusses the uncertainty surrounding the application of the First Amendment to electronic bulletin boards, listservs, electronic conferences, and other exchanges of electronic information at public colleges and universities. Applies the notions of nonpublic forums and designated open forums to the computer network. (MLF)

The historic development of the cable phenomenon is traced through industry rhetoric that promised a multitude of services and "voices" in exchange for benign regulations. The current rhetoric of the "wired nation's" latest entrant into the broadband information delivery business--the telcos--also is examined in order to assess…