Describes two electronic conferences (e-conferences) available on the Internet: e-mail-based discussion groups and Usenet news groups. Presents tips to help users of e-conferences increase the benefits of knowledge-sharing via these conferences. Sidebars present the largest library-related e-conferences, e-conferences gatewayed to Usenet, and an…

Describes Kids Network, an educational network available from the National Geographic Society that allows students in grades four through six to become part of research teams that include students from around the world. Computer hardware requirements and a list of Kids Network research questions are listed in a sidebar. (JMV)

Discusses emergency plans for dealing with disasters in information centers and describes four information centers' responses to various disasters. Topics addressed include authority and leadership; money and insurance; information resources, including computers and software; alternate locations and forms of communication; and testing. A list of…

Presents selection criteria for libraries choosing document delivery suppliers as an alternative to traditional interlibrary loan. Categories of commercial services are described, and selection criteria including ease of use, ordering options, charging and billing, copyright issues, enduser access, turnaround time, telecommunications options,…

Discusses the application of communication and information technologies (C&IT) in education and vocational training for 12 member states in the Commission of the European Communities (CEC). Highlights include funding sources; major activities; the DELTA project, which supports training through new technologies in an open learning environment;…

Discussion of the National Information Infrastructure and changes in telecommunications highlights the roles of the Clinton administration and the Department of Commerce; congressional activity, including regulatory committees; state regulations concerning local exchange carriers and cable television companies; the private sector; and the role of…

Thanks to a student teacher's efforts, a fourth-grade class in Montgomery County, Maryland, spent half a day touring Bell Atlantic's facilities. Each student's most treasured memory was lunching with a Bell Atlantic employee "buddy" and visiting his or her work station. Children's thank you letters expressed their gratitude for…

Project ICONS (International Communication and Negotiation Simulation) is a computer-assisted simulation that casts students in diplomat and policymaker roles. Thrust into a laboratory of high-powered negotiations, they grapple with solutions to real and urgent international issues: world health, human rights, and the spread of nuclear technology.…

Discusses using high-speed modems to access the Internet. Examines internal and external modems, data speeds, compression and error reduction, faxing and voice capabilities, and software features. Considers ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) as the future replacement of high-speed modems. Sidebars present high-speed modem product…

Describes OVIDE (Organisation du VIdeotex du Depute European), a European e-mail communication and information access system used by members and staff of the European Parliament. Also discusses the use of OVIDE to bridge the gap between citizens and democratic processes. (JMV)

Describes a virtual museum tour project developed by Eastview Community School (Red Deer, Alberta) eighth grade students that used telecommunications and multimedia. Discusses the project's educational objectives, methods of collecting information, preparing hypertext documents, writing dialogue, the final presentation, and key components for a…

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…

Discusses the introduction and evolution of the term "global village" by author Marshall McLuhan, and presents findings from literature that associate libraries and education with society's technological advancements such as telecommunication and computerized services. Examines the role of libraries, librarians, commerce, and global…

A random sample of bulletin board users was selected from two online services, and they were interviewed using electronic mail; the bulletin board audience was characterized, focusing on adopters (characteristics that users possess) and social impacts (benefits, usage patterns, and how bulletin board use affects other communications media). (AEF)

Describes how to use the Internet to access commercial online database services, such as DIALOG, and discusses the advantages in terms of costs, reference services, and accessibility. Outlines in detail how to save a search session or link another terminal to a Telnet session, and provides information and Internet addresses for eight vendor…