Although it is becoming easier to share materials via the Internet, the process is still not transparent, especially when cross-platform transfers are involved. This article reviews common protocols and discusses several utilities and strategies for exchanging information online. Includes a table listing transfer and compression protocols, common…

Discussion of the changes that human resource and training departments are undergoing. Focuses on the development of a soap opera format on the World Wide Web that reflects on performance technology, distributed technology, and shifting professional roles. Examples of episodes and suggestions for improving it as an educational tool are provided.…

To become efficient Internet searchers, students and teachers need to learn online search skills. Discusses hierarchical subject directories (Yahoo) and search engines (Excite, Lycos, Alta Vista, HotBot); lists top search engines and their universal resource locators (URL). Provides examples of search strings; outlines search tips, and a…

Traces the history of library cataloging from manual to electronic organization and reviews current attempts to organize electronic information. Highlights include characteristics of traditional cataloging, Internet indexing projects, cataloging Internet resources, defining the electronic unit of control, and visions for the future. (Author/LRW)

U.S. federal and state legislative and regulatory information is increasingly available electronically. This article provides descriptions of source providers and lists all major commercial dial-in services and Internet sources, providing alphabetical tables of 55 information categories and noting the names of each file covering a category and…

Discusses newsgroups, listservs, and Web-based discussion groups. Highlights include major categories of international USENET discussion groups; newsgroups versus mailing lists; newsreaders; news servers; newsgroup subscriptions; newsgroups versus Web discussion groups; linking newsgroups, mailing lists, and the Web; and setting up a news host. A…

Research Development Corporation is developing a virtual schoolhouse, a repository that will provide access to resources without traditional boundary limitations, materials customized to individual student needs, and professional development forums for teachers. The program will have a virtual library of educational research findings and…

Provides an overview of relevant Web sites for parents who have children with disabilities that can be used by teachers as a resource to help parents get started on the World Wide Web. Sixteen Web sites are identified along with descriptions of the type of information offered. (CR)

Describes Western Governors University, a virtual university (http://www.westgov.org) organized by 15 western states and Guam to offer competency-based degrees via the Internet, electronic mail, computer software, video, or satellite. (Author)

Focuses on online newsgroup gender composition and the seeming relatedness between gender roles and group process functions described as task and maintenance. Finds that men far outnumber women as participants in online discussion groups. Notes that results were mixed with respect to the relation of language patterns and group gender composition.…

Explores the growing concentration of ownership and control over the National Information Infrastructure (NII). Examines efforts of copyright owners to extend their control over information and cultural products into new media markets. Discusses the commercialization of the NII, and points out concentration, commodification, and commercialization…

Examines the frequency, form, and tone of reproaches for misconduct on five newsgroups. Finds that few individuals responded publicly to their reproachers and that complete "traditional" remedial episodes in Usenet were relatively rare. Concludes tentatively that different offense types elicit reproaches which vary in form and tone.…

Proposes that a useful perspective for studying group computer-mediated communication is the theoretical construct of interactivity. Examines a representative snapshot of communication among the very large groups populating the networks. Finds that conversations are less confrontational than popularly believed: conversations are more helpful and…

Online copyright problems may be resolvable by a simple permission method. Describes Project Xanadu, a system of hypermedia publishing servers, designed to preserve integrity, copyright, and royalty for digital materials, yet allow reuse. Discusses permission doctrine; aspects of supporting software; legal status of transcopyright; variations not…

Discusses the development a national information policy in the United Kingdom (UK): policies for national information infrastructures, electronic information services, privacy and data protection, copyright, public and national libraries; reviews problems inhibiting Internet use; compares the UK's and the European Commission's approaches to…