The nature of many computerized community bulletin boards is described. A system called Communitree is profiled as a version with many distinct advantages over generic bulletin board systems. It is felt that their strong points are carefully orchestrated details, and their weak points are intelligent compromises. (MP)

Explores recent developments in home banking systems and discusses the results of market tests, efforts of major system producers, and obstacles to the success of electronic banking systems. (SW)

Outlines the basic principles underlying the transmission of information, including analog and digital modulation, limitations to communications, configurations of communications networks, optical fiber cables, and earth satellites. Six references are cited. (FM)

Describes several studies, made by various organizations within the library community, which explored the feasibility of establishing a National Periodicals Center. The latest feasibility study is to be done at the Federal Government level and must take into consideration recent innovations in electronic communications technology. (Author/LLS)

Describes the issues and interests to be discussed at the World Administrative Radio Conference in September, 1979. Includes definitions of principles for the use of the frequency spectrum, rights and duties of users, reallocation of frequency bands, and the need for principles to guide international cooperation. (JMF)

Defines direct satellite broadcasting as the transmission of broadcast signals via high-powered satellites that permit direct reception of television or radio programs by means of small antennas. Outlines American, European, and Japanese plans for direct-to-home television reception and implications for the broadcasting industry. (JMF)

Discusses Austria's position as a small member of the European community, in terms of satellite broadcasting policy. Austrian policy is viewed as lacking coherence--a policy of compromise and conciliation. (JMF)

Examines the way in which "policy" relates to "regulation" in the telecommunications field. Calls for a more comprehensive knowledge of the policymaking process and an awareness of the nature and function of regulation in order to make practical, far-reaching recommendations for the emerging direct broadcast satellite systems. (JMF)

Provides an overview of camera options and selection criteria for desktop videoconferencing. Key factors in image quality are discussed, including lighting, resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio; and steps to improve image quality are suggested. (LRW)

Reviews three basic Internet functions, i.e. communications such as e-mail, remote logon, and file transfer, and highlights useful Internet resources for media technologists in each. Several useful tools to aid in using the Internet are discussed, including gopher, World Wide Web, Veronica, and WAIS (Wide Area Information Server). (LRW)

Explains why ISDN (integrated services digital network) is the most practical solution for high-speed remote access, including reliability, cost, flexibility, scaleability, standards, and manageability. Other data transmission options are discussed, including asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSL), high-speed digital subscriber lines (HDSL),…

Describes a program at Pacific Bell that foreshadows a role for training professionals as brokers of learning. Looks at the initiative from three perspectives: (1) the corporate leader who champions it; (2) the training executive who stewards it; and (3) the business-unit heads who implement it. (Author)

Loss of funding for NSFNet and the likelihood of deregulation may lead to endusers paying for operation of the national telecommunications infrastructure and decreased levels of service. Sources for additional funding include increased fees to information providers/third-party access resellers; increased fees to user institutions; and grant or…

Identifies key network indicators that enable the provider of telecommunications service to track and monitor daily network performance and its impact on network users. Network response time, including host- and device-based conditions, circuit and hardware conditions, and CRC (cyclic redundancy check)/link errors; indicator measurements and…

Describes standards for computer-based information systems, including Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) and open distributed processing. The standardization process is explained, and the Open Software Foundation's Distributed Computing Environment is described as a de facto standard for open distributed processing that has already gained…