Election of a new executive director for H-Net, a humanities and social sciences mailing-list network, is marked by controversy over the large role of Michigan State University in the network, due to the incumbent's faculty status there, and over the extent of his authority. The conflict has extended to how open the network should be to diverse…

Considers how civil law might treat claims of defamation arising from computer newsgroup postings. Concludes that newsgroup postings will probably be treated as a hybrid of print and broadcast media, and that newsgroup users will vigorously and aggressively protect freedoms of speech and press. While traditional defenses to defamation charges will…

To improve availability of sound recordings for music students, Indiana University has digitized over 1,300 selections and made them available on two computer network servers. High-quality audio technology provides compact-disc-quality sound. Some technical difficulties remain, but users have adapted well to the new system. (MSE)

Discusses the use of the Z39.50 standard for information retrieval in the British Library's efforts toward networked information retrieval and online public access catalogs in cooperation with the European Union and other countries. OSI (open systems interconnection) and project ONE (a collaborative project in the European Union) are explained.…

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)

Describes GovDoc-L, a computer-based electronic mail information resource available to librarians and others interested in government information issues. Electronic mail network communication is discussed; the management software package called LISTSERV, which is used to maintain GovDoc-L, is explained; costs are considered; and subscribers are…

Traces the evolution of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) from its genesis in 1978 and provides an overview of the various categories of standards, international standards organizations, the scope of standards, and the notations used to designate both the standards groups and the actual standards. (SD)

Discusses how various Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) application layer protocols can be used together, along with the Presentation and Session protocols, to support the interconnection requirements of applications. Application layer protocol standards that are currently available or under development are reviewed, and the File, Transfer,…

The edi conceptual model is being developed to define common structures, services, and processes that syntax-specific standards like X12 and EDIFACT could adopt. Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) is of interest to edi because of its potential to help enable global interoperability across Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) functional groups. A…

Describes the emergence of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) as it relates to the U.S. Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile (GOSIP); defines GOSIP; and speculates about its future. Challenges facing GOSIP that are related to test policies and procedures, strategic and tactical planning, additional functionality, and international…

Describes the use of computer networks and integrated learning systems (ILS) in education. File servers are explained; operating system software is discussed; hardware differences between local area networks (LANS) and integrated learning systems are described; criteria for purchasing ILS are presented; and initial costs are mentioned. (LRW)

Presented is information about the National Science Teachers Association computer bulletin board, Science Line. Described are the features of the service and how teachers may gain access. (CW)

Describes several collaborative writing projects using electronic mail (e-mail). Notes that although most of these projects can be tried without computers, two of the barriers in the classroom--time and distance--are removed as a result of electronic communication links. (MM)

Describes the 14 winners of the 1989 EDUCOM/NCRIPTAL (National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning) Higher Education Software Awards. Highlights include curriculum innovation, collaborative programs on computer networks, interactive video, hypermedia, an increase in humanities participation, and general trends in…

Reports on other schools' use of the Gallaudet University-developed ENFI (Electronic Networks for Interaction) computer method for teaching written English to deaf students, describing teachers' modifications of the use of the networks for improving students' use of English. (CB) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)