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Networks and Community Compiled 029
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NETWORKS AND COMMUNITY : June 22, 1994
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Networks and Community is devoted to encouraging LOCAL resource creation &
GLOBAL resource sharing.
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The 23rd Report of 1994 is the 29th Weekly Survey.
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Coverage in this issue includes:
Global Community
News From The World
Community Viability Fund Information
Institute for Global Communications
Announcement- Scholastic Network
Classes & Meetings
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Global Community
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Sorry for the lateness of the newsletter this week, I've been back
and forth to San Francisco to see my niece through open heart surgery.
This peppy little three year old pulled through with no problems and
should be coming home this Friday or Saturday. Amazing how quickly they
kick you out of the hospital these days!
As the newsletter is late, and I'm a bit preoccupied with her,
I'm going to spare you all my weekly diatribe! This week only!!!
-steve covington
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NEWS of the WIRED & WEIRD **** Culled from various sources
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Subject: E-d-u-p-a-g-e 06/12/94 through 06/18/94 EDITED BY MYSELF
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Sender: owner-net-happenings@is.internic.net
---------- Forwarded message ----------
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Edupage, a summary of news items on information technology, is provided
three times each week as a service by Educom -- a consortium of leading
colleges and universities seeking to transform education through the use of
information technology.
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DISKETTE DUMPING
The Washington Post reports that thousands of computer diskettes
are being dumped on the U.S. market by China. (Telecommunications Policy
Review 6/5/94 p.1)
CLIPPER CHIP DEBATE CONTINUES
Clipper Chip opponent Whitfield Duffie, a security specialist for
Sun Microsystems, says that "the virtue of cryptography should be that you
don't have to trust anybody not directly involved with your communication."
Clipper Chip supporter Dorthy E. Denny, head of Georgetown Universitiy's
computer science program, says: "It was an accumulation of factors that led
me to agree with Clipper, and the two most important areas, to me, are
organized crime and terrorism." (New York Times Magazine 6/12/94 p.44)
CANADIAN INTERNET HANDBOOK
"The Canadian Internet Handbook" is published by Prentice Hall
Canada and provides an extensive province-by-province compendium of
Internet access providers north of the border. Send e-mail to:
handbook@vm1.yorku.ca.
(Internet World July/August 1994 p.12)
DATA SECURITY MEETING SLATED
The Clinton administration will hold a public meeting July 15 on
security issues in the National Information Infrastructure. The public is
invited to attend the meeting, which will be held at the Commerce
Department auditorium, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call
Marty Ferris (202) 622-1110. Inquiries about the NII can be made by
anonymous ftp to iitf.doc.gov. Access is also available over the World Wide
Web. Questions can be addressed to nii@ntia.doc.gov. (BNA Daily Report for
Executives 6/6/94 A12
MOBILE MARKET GROWTH
The mobile messaging market will grow slowly and steadily over the
next few years, according to a recent survey of more than 200 Fortune 1000
companies. Only 20% of the companies currently use remote messaging, but a
growing number of out-of-office employees is driving the market.
(Telecommunications June 1994 p.22)
ISDN MIGRATES TO DESKTOP
A Frost & Sullivan report forecasts that by 1997, workstations,
multimedia terminals, fax machines and video-based products will account
for the majority of ISDN equipment revenues in the U.S. ISDN revenue is
expected to rise 28% from current levels by that time. (Data Communications
June 1994 p.16)
COMMERCIAL MOSAIC VERSIONS
Commercial versions of Mosaic will be launched this summer for
large technology companies by Spyglass and for consumers by Quarterdeck.
The Spyglass version of Mosaic will also be bundled into most major systems
from Digital Equipment Corporation. Meanwhile, Marc Andreeson, the
principal creator of NCSA Mosaic and now the co-principal of Mosaic
Communications, Inc., says his company is working on a "next generation
version, from the ground up, that will be commercially compelling."
(Internet Business Report June 95, p.1)
PC WITH TV, PHONE, RADIO, FAX
Packard Bell will be offering personal computers that can double as
radios, TVs, telephones and fax machines. Priced at $1000-3000, the systems
will use Intel's 486 and Pentium microprocessors and will come with stereo
speakers; Most will also have CD-ROM drives and include 27 software titles.
The systems will have removable plastic panels that allowing a consumer to
make a fashion statement by adding splashes of colors such as teal or
azure. "This is like adding a tie to a suit," says a company executive.
(New York Times 6/14/94)
COURT OVERRULES AN FCC ORDER TO REGIONAL BELLS
The U.S. Court of Appeals overruled an order of the Federal
Communications Commission that would have required regional Bell operating
companies to provide space in their central offices to competitors such as
MFS Communications, Teleport Communications, and Intermedia Communications.
(Investor's Business Daily 6/13/94 A15)
NEWTON NEWS
By year-end, Apple will launch a new version of the Newton personal
communicator with enhanced wireless capabilities and additional
applications. Sharp, Panasonic and other manufacturers will also be
releasing products based on Newton technology, and IBM is licensing the
Newton operating system and will introduce a personal communicator in early
1995. (Information Week 6/13/94 p.15)
BROADER ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE POWERS
The Canadian government wants a review of proposed legislation that
would make it easier for police to intercept digital or computer
communications. If approved, the legislation would allow police to monitor
a wide range of personal data such as credit card usage, telephone calling
patterns, automated teller transactions and even proposed interactive cable
systems. (Ottawa Citizen 6/13/94 A4)
BENEFITS OF TELECOMMUTING QUESTIONED
A researcher who studies telecommunicating is skeptical of claims
that productivity rises when employees are left to work at home since
e-mail is often used to "impression-manage" a situation, creating the
illusion of improved worker productivity. (Toronto Globe & Mail 6/14/94 B4)
PC WITH TV, PHONE, RADIO, FAX
Packard Bell will be offering personal computers that can double as
radios, TVs, telephones and fax machines. Priced at $1000-3000, the systems
will use Intel's 486 and Pentium microprocessors and will come with stereo
speakers; Most will also have CD-ROM drives and include 27 software titles.
The systems will have removable plastic panels that allowing a consumer to
make a fashion statement by adding splashes of colors such as teal or
azure. "This is like adding a tie to a suit," says a company executive.
(New York Times 6/14/94)
COURT OVERRULES AN FCC ORDER TO REGIONAL BELLS
The U.S. Court of Appeals overruled an order of the Federal
Communications Commission that would have required regional Bell operating
companies to provide space in their central offices to competitors such as
MFS Communications, Teleport Communications, and Intermedia Communications.
(Investor's Business Daily 6/13/94 A15)
NEWTON NEWS
By year-end, Apple will launch a new version of the Newton personal
communicator with enhanced wireless capabilities and additional
applications. Sharp, Panasonic and other manufacturers will also be
releasing products based on Newton technology, and IBM is licensing the
Newton operating system and will introduce a personal communicator in early
1995. (Information Week 6/13/94 p.15)
BROADER ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE POWERS
The Canadian government wants a review of proposed legislation that
would make it easier for police to intercept digital or computer
communications. If approved, the legislation would allow police to monitor
a wide range of personal data such as credit card usage, telephone calling
patterns, automated teller transactions and even proposed interactive cable
systems. (Ottawa Citizen 6/13/94 A4)
BENEFITS OF TELECOMMUTING QUESTIONED
A researcher who studies telecommunicating is skeptical of claims
that productivity rises when employees are left to work at home since
e-mail is often used to "impression-manage" a situation, creating the
illusion of improved worker productivity. (Toronto Globe & Mail 6/14/94 B4)
AT&T'S GOT THE BIG PICTURE ON VIDEO PHONECALLS
AT&T's new Worldworx service will push for new standards on the
next generation phone call, allowing talkers to see each other on computer
screens while chatting, sharing files and handwritten notes or pictures.
Apple, IBM, Sun Microsystems, Lotus, Novell, PictureTel and Xerox have
pledged to develop products and software to work with the new service.
Intel's support is notably absent. (Wall Street Journal 6/16/94 A3)
AIRWAVE INTERFERENCE WITH MEDICAL ELECTRONICS
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) from sources of energy such as
cellular phones, metal detectors, and computers, is becoming a widespread
problem that is being seen by some as needing stronger government controls.
(Wall Street Journal 6/15/94 A1)
MICROSOFT'S CAIRO AND DAYTONA ON SCHEDULE
"Cairo," Microsoft's next version of Windows NT, will be shipped to
customers in the next couple of months, and "Daytona," a new version of NT
that runs more quickly and requires less computer memory, will also hit the
market this summer as planned. (Wall Street Journal 6/16/94 B7)
REVISING FAMILY HISTORY
DivorceX offers to expunge all traces of your ex-spouse in the
family photo albums, using a popular software called Photostop. The
proprietor scans the photo, erases the unwanted party's image, and reprints
the picture -- all for $100-200 a pop. What if you get back together? No
problem. He'll reinsert it by the same process. (Wall Street Journal
6/16/94 B1)
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COMMUNITY VIABILITY FUND - Contributed by Ed Schwartz
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From: EDCIVIC@delphi.com
To: civic-values@civic.net
Reply-To: civic-values@civic.net
Community Viability Fund: Direct Grants to Nonprofits
HUD has proposed the CommunityViability Fund (CVF), an
initiative of great importance to nonprofits and lower-income
communities since it provides, for the first time in many years,
a large federal program that would directly fund local
community-based organizations. CVF is loosely based on the
successful John Heinz Neighborhood Development Program which
currently receives only $5 million in funding.
The proposal has changed dramatically since it was first
introduced by HUD. Center for Community Change (CCC), through its
work with the Coalition for Low-lncome Community Development
(CL-II~D), worked closely with HUD to improve their original
language to ensure that the program was targeted to lower income
communities.
In addition, the definition of nonprofits was changed to
ensure that community-based groups would be given a preference in
receiving funds. In addition to working to improve HUD's
proposed legislation, a group of 23 national nonprofits
(including CCC) signed-on to a letter requesting that the House
Banking Committee include CVF in its Reauthorization Bill. The
House Subcommittee, through an amendment offered by Nydia
Velazquez (D-NY), included much of the revised language
authorising CVF. However, HUD's proposed 5100 million to fund
this initiative was reduced by the House to an authorization
level of no more than $40 million.
The Senate is currently drafting its bill and CCC will
continue to work through the ad hoc CVF Coalition to ensure that
the legislative language they include is targeted to low income
communities and private, community-based nonprofits. The Senate
Banking Committee is expected to mark-up their bill on June 21.
Community groups should contact their Representatives on the
House and Senate Banking Committees and ask them to support this
legislation.
A Summary of the Revised CVF Language
The legislation would fund community-based organizations
and capacity-building organizations to carry out neighborhood
development activities, provide training, and build community
capacity to carry out the housing, economic development, youth
development, family support, community service programs (and
other eligible activities) needed to promote the viability of
low- and moderate-income communities.
Eligible applicants for CVF funcls are defined as either a
community-based org,anization or a capacity-building
organization. A community-based organization is defined as: "a
private, nonprofit located in a low- or moderate-income
neighborhood or area; primarily responsible to the residents of
the neighborhood or area in which the organization operates, as
evidenced by the composition of its governing board; an
organization that conducts activities that help revitalize low-
and moderate-income neighborhoods or areas in a manner that
benefits persons of low and moderate income."
A capacity-building organization is defined as "a private,
nonprofit (could be city-wide, regional, state-wide, or even
national) which has experience and demonstrated expertise
developing the capacity of nonprofit community-based
organizations." If no private nonprofit group is available to
provide such assistance, HUD may select other entities with
skills and experience to work with community-based groups.
Seventy-five per cent of the funds would be awarded through
a HUD-administered national competition, while the remaining 25
percent would be awarded at HUD's discretion. For more
information contact Andrew Mott at Center for Community Change
(202/342-0567).
Electronic Editor Note: This is from the Center for Community
Change June Policy Alert. The Center for Community Change has
been developing grassroots community leadership and organizations
for many years.
Those who wish further information should contact Center for
Community Change, 1000 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington DC
202-342-0519
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INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS
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INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS Cooperation Through Telecommunications
PeaceNet * EcoNet * ConflictNet
18 De Boom Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
+1 (415) 442-0220 voice
+1 (415) 546-1794 fax
404205417 telex
support@igc.apc.org - email
What are IGC Networks?
The Institute for Global Communications (IGC) provides computer
networking tools for international communications and information
exchange.
The IGC Networks -- PeaceNet, EcoNet, ConflictNet and LaborNet --
comprise the world's only computer communications system
dedicated solely to environmental preservation, peace, and human
rights. New technologies are helping these worldwide communities
cooperate more effectively and efficiently.
IGC, located in San Francisco, California, is a division of the Tides
Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
By subscribing to any one of the IGC Networks, you have full access to
the resources of any of the other IGC Networks. To help you decide
which of the IGC Networks might best reflect your interests and needs,
here is a brief description of each:
EcoNet serves individuals and organizations working for environmental
preservation and sustainability. Important issues covered include:
global warming, energy policy, rainforest preservation, legislative
activities, water quality, toxics and environmental education.
PeaceNet serves peace and social justice advocates around the world in
such areas as human rights, disarmament, and international relations. A
number of alternative news services provide a range of information about
these and other topics from around the world.
ConflictNet serves groups and individuals working for social justice and
conflict resolution. ConflictNet's resources include guidelines for
choosing a neutral third party, sample case development in conflict
resolution, estensive biblographies, legislative updates, educational
materials and newsletters from around the world.
LaborNet serves groups, unions and labor advocates interested in
information sharing and collaboration with the intent of enhancing
the human rights and economic justice of workers. Issues
covered include workplace and community health and safety issues,
trade issues and international union solidarity and collaboration.
How People are Using the IGC Networks
Electronic Mail
Send and receive private messages -- including Fax and Telex -- to and
from more than 18,000 international peace, environmental and conflict
resolution users on our affiliated networks or to millions of users on
other networks. Electronic mail is quick, inexpensive, reliable and
easy to use.
Conferences
IGC's conferencing services offer easy-to-use tools in group
communication and event coordination. Geographically dispersed people
can communicate inexpensively on any subject. Whether you are
administering an organization or distributing an urgent action alert,
IGC conferences are an indispensable tool. Private conferences can be
set up to facilitate internal group decision-making, task-sharing
processes, or sensitive communications. Public conferences are great
for information sharing, newsletter distribution, legislative alerts and
news services.
Information Resources
IGC's several hundred public conferences also include events calendars,
newsletters, legislative alerts, funding sources, press releases, action
updates, breaking stories, calls for support, as well as ongoing
discussions on issues of global importance. IGC is also an access point
for the USENET system of interuniversity bulletin boards. IGC's
capabilities allow you to search lists of speakers, U.S. Congress and
world leaders, media, grant-making foundations or bibliographies.
International Programs & The Association for Progressive Communications
IGC regards international cooperation and partnership as essential in
addressing peace and environmental problems. IGC maintains a major
program to develop low-cost access to computer networking from outside
the United States, especially from non-industrialized and Southern
hemisphere countries. The result of this program has been the
Association of Progressive Communications (APC) which now includes low-
cost computer networks in eight countries. IGC has played a major role
in starting the Alternex (Brazil), Nicarao (Nicaragua) and GlasNet
(Russia) non-profit computer networks, as well as in providing technical
support to all of the partner networks.
Current projects include developing computer networks for peace,
environmental and international development organizations in Bolivia,
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uruguay and Kenya. The focus of the work is to
empower local, indigenous organizations by transferring expertise and
capacity in computer networking. Operation and management of a local
APC node becomes the full responsibility of the local organization. All
APC partners are independent organizations, and retain full control over
their network.
IGC collaborates with the United Nations Development Programme in work
in Latin America. The International Programme is supported entirely by
grants from major Foundations and individual donors. Contributors
include: The Ford Foundation, General Service Foundation and the John
D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Join Our Global Community
Participate in a range of discussions and find information resources on
such topics, including:
Activist Resources, Africa, Air & Climate, Central & South America
Community, Conflict Resolution, Development, Disarmament, East -- West
Economics,,Education & Research, Energy, Environment & much, much more.
Communicate with people who don't have access to computer networks by
sending them a telex or fax directly from your IGC account!
IGC Rates
After a one-time $15 sign-up fee, the monthly subscription is $10, which
includes one free hour of off-peak time (after 6 p.m. and on weekends) and
phone support. Domestic connect time is $5/hour for off-peak and $7 for
peak time (M-F 7 am to 6 pm). 800 number access is available for rural,
Alaska and Hawaii users at $10 per hour. Internet connectivity is
available from many locations for $3 per hour. International connect
rates vary with each country's public data network. A growing number of
countries have direct SprintNet connections at $21 per hour.
Some gateways and storage space are extra.
How Can I Join? Fill out this coupon and send/fax it to us immediately!
Or sign up online by having your computer dial (415) 322-0284 (N-8-1) -
- have your credit card ready!. Type 'new' at the LOGIN prompt hit
<RETURN> at the PASSWORD prompt, then follow the step-by-step
instructions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* SPECIAL OFFER -- When you sign up online, it *
* saves us administrative costs, so we offer one *
* free hour of connect time if you choose this *
* alternative. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Select one: [ ] EcoNet [ ] PeaceNet
[ ] ConflictNet [ ] LaborNet
Name
Organization
Address
City, State, Zip
Telephone
Major Areas of Interest
Referred by
May we list your address in our online directory? Y/N
May we list your phone number? Y / N
Charge my subscription directly:
Name as it appears on card
Acct #/Exp. Date
Signature
I prefer to be billed monthly; enclosed is a refundable deposit for $50.
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Subject: ANNOUNCEMENT: SCHOLASTIC LAUNCHES NEW INTERNET SERVICES
ANNOUNCEMENT SCHOLASTIC LAUNCHES INTERNET SERVER AND NEW K-12 SERVICES
The most trusted name in learning offers new resources to the Internet
community
New York, NY--June 12, 1994-- Scholastic Network today announced the launch
of Scholastic Internet Services, Created to offer K-12 teachers and students
an easy-to-use, high-value destination on the coming 'Information
Superhighway, the Scholastic Internet Services are accessible to all Internet
users and include a K-12 net site running Gopher, WAIS and WWW..
The new Scholastic Internet services announced today are: Scholastic
Internet Libraries, four electronic curriculum libraries with a myriad of
resources and over 5,000 full-text articles offered for site licenses; the
Scholastic Internet Center, a free Internet site offering information, lesson
plans, and electronic newsletters; and the Ultimate Education Store, a
searchable, on-line catalog of educational books, magazines, software,
curriculum kits, and more. "These Internet Services are an effective first
step in bringing Scholastic's information resources onto the Internet," said
Susan Mernit, Director of Network Development. "All the Scholastic Divisions
contributed to this effort.".
"As more schools connect to the Internet, Scholastic Internet Services
provide a simpler method for teachers and students to get access to libraries
of information on science, language arts, and technology," said Richard
Robinson, President, Chairman, and CEO of Scholastic. " When we launched
Scholastic Network with America Online last fall, our goal was to help K-12
teachers and their students work interactively with a variety of information.
With the introduction of our Internet services, all educators with Internet
access gain the ability to connect to Scholastic materials."
"From a national perspective, the emergence of electronic information
delivery presents new opportunities for all sectors of society," said Linda
Roberts, Secretary's Advisor on Technology, U.S. Department of Education.
"The Internet offers educators access to information that was previously
difficult to reach. With a growing number of teachers on the Internet, this
use of technology clearly allows teachers to better serve the needs of
students."
Using technology developed by Wide Area Information Services (WAIS),
Scholastic's technology partner in this effort, parents and teachers can
easily search and retrieve what they are looking for in the Scholastic
libraries as well as the aisles of books, magazines, newsletters and other
educational products in the store, without leaving their home, school or
office. Consumers and educators can order information and materials directly
from the company using credit cards and purchase orders online.
The WAIS technology allows Scholastic Internet Services users to browse and
search without typing long commands. For example, a student is able to ask
for information about "volcanoes" and immediately see a list of all the data
available relating to volcanoes. This technology makes the Internet more
accessible to computer-users who often find the Internet difficult to
navigate.
One of the new services, the Scholastic Internet Libraries, is available to
state education networks, regional telephone companies, and regional internet
providers for site license for their account-holders. These content-rich
libraries offer curriculum resources in four areas--middle school science,
reading and language arts, integrating technology into the classroom, and
teaching with seasonal activities. Subscribers to the Scholastic Network on
America Online have full access to these Internet resources without
additional charge.
Education-related networks, gophers, MOSAIC sites, etc. are encouraged to
connect to the Scholastic Internet Center For more information on the
services, including the URL and Gopher addresses to link to, send email to
sninternet@aol.com. A special effort is being made to provide appropriate and
relevant resources and pages for students as well--stay turned!)
Scholastic Network is the first full-service online network designed
exclusively for teachers and students. Scholastic Inc. (NMS:SCHL) ,
headquartered in New York, is among the leading publishers and distributors
of children's books, classroom and professional magazines, and other
educational materials. The Company also publishes educational computer
software and produces children and family-oriented video and television
programming. Scholastic operates in the United States, Canada, Australia, the
United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
For press information, contact Todd Friedman,Scholastic, 212-343-6878
email: toddotodd@aol.com
For Internet Services information, contact Susan Mernit,Director of Network
Development, Scholastic Network, 555 Broadway, New York, NY 10012; phone:
212-343-4940.
email: Susanim@aol.com
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Classes & Meetings
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From: "chere campbell gibson" <cgibson@macc.wisc.edu>
TENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON TEACHING AND LEARNING
AT A DISTANCE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
AUGUST 10-13, 1994
GENERAL INFORMATION
Who Should Attend
The conference attracts over 350 participants from throughout the
United States, Canada, and other countries. Included are
teachers, trainers, administrators, managers, instructional
designers, producers, researchers and others involved in or
exploring distance education.
Participants are experienced professionals as well as newcomers.
They represent a variety of organizations in secondary, post
secondary, K-12 education, continuing education, business,
industry, the military, government, health care and
telecommunications.
For additional information, contact Chere Gibson cgibson@macc.wisc.edu
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NETWORKS and COMMUNITY is a result of the work of people located
throughout the global Internet community. Net facilities for the
preparation of this newsletter are provided by NETCOM On-line
Communications Service, Inc. Editing is done by myself.
Back issues are archived through the kindness of the staff at the WELL :
gopher ---->gopher.well.sf.ca.us ->community --> civic nets... --->
networks & community; & the NATIONAL LIBRARY OF CANADA : gopher ---->
gopher.nlc-bnc.ca
"Subscriptions" are available through the generosity of the Listowner for
the RRE NEWS SERVICE: subscribe by sending e-mail to:
rre-request@weber.ucsd.edu) with a SUBJECT LINE reading "subscribe
<firstname> <lastname>", OR by e-mail to myself, cvington@netcom.com
requesting to be put on my mailing list for the newsletter.
Additional distribution is assisted by the managers and owners of
NET-HAPPENINGS, COMMUNET, & the CANADIAN FREENET listservs.
This newsletter is in the PUBLIC DOMAIN, with the exception of
Global Community or where noted, and may be used as you see fit.
To contribute items or enquire about this newsletter, contact
Stephen Covington <cvington@netcom.com>
.
