The Journey of Internet

Cynthia B. Leshin, Ph.D., MCLI
Internet has been described metaphorically as a type of "highway" system between computers and resources. These resources may be the computers, databases, or the human expert. In each case, the resource is available to users. Thus the duplication of efforts is prevented and a forum for the exchange of information is created.

Internet enables you to communicate with people throughout the world on topics of shared interest as well as to request information on a particular topic. Perhaps you are researching information for a class or project and you would like to investigate what others may have already done or discovered on the same topic. Information in professional journals is frequently several years old once it reaches your desk. You now have the capability to access the newest and most recent information even before it is published or presented.

Names and Addresses

Understanding the use of names and addresses used in electronic networking is critical for successful Internet use. It is similar to mailing a letter to a friend, or knowing how to reach the right destination on a trip. If you do not use the exact correct name when sending a message, the system will reply that it does not know that person or that the message was not successfully sent. Similarly, if you do not know how to address a resource, then you will not be able to get the information.

The Maricopa Community College District uses VAX software to communicate with Internet. When you obtain your VAX account, for example to use A1, you are assigned a username. This username is used by the system to identify the files and messages created or sent by you. Think of this username as your phone number.

The further the distance for electronic networking, the more information must be added to your username. For example, when you network outside the Maricopa Community Colleges, a full name of the sponsoring organization (i.e., Maricopa Community College) called a Domain Name is added to your user name. Additionally, organizational categories must be included. "edu" indicates an educational institution; "com" is usually a commercial institution; "gov," a government site; and "mil" a military site.

	Username: LESHIN
	Domain Name: MARICOPA
	Organizational category: edu
	My Internet Address: LESHIN@MARICOPA.EDU

Electronic Mail

Electronic mail is rapidly becoming a vital communication medium. It is perhaps the most widely used application of the Internet because it enhances our ability to communicate with others. Through this electronic network you can easily develop professional contacts with colleagues around the world for little or no cost. In addition, by using various e- mail services, it is possible to broadcast questions, discuss topics, and debate issues of common interest.

Electronic Forums - Lists or Computer Conferencing Boards

Electronic forums are groups of network users who have come together to discuss topics of interest, to share ideas, opinions, problems and solutions. Generally they are started because someone decides to offer a discussion on a particular topic. For example, available on Maricopa's VAX NOTES are several educational discussion groups: X-EDTECH (educational technology discussion group); X-EDUTEL (education and information technology digest); X-NEWEDU-L (discussion of new educational paradigms); MACNET (Macintosh test conference); and BITNET (navigational networks). Other technology and educational discussion groups are available through Internet.

For a list of lists, including a short description of each, send the following e-mail message to any site that supports a Listserv, such as:

  
    LISTSERV@ASUVM.INRE.ASU.EDU 
    LIST GLOBAL	                      (to get an index of the lists)

Library Searches

Publicly accessible libraries throughout the country have automated systems providing users with easily accessible and up-to-date information about the books available in these libraries. There are over 350 on-line library catalogs available for search. Now we can check on our local library's holdings or that of a library halfway around the world.

Databases

Research-driven databases are also available. Several of the more widely used are ERIC, NASA, National Science Foundation, Physics Information Network, and the Ocean Network Information Center [login: INFO]. Some of these databases require payment while others are available free of charge. ERIC searches are now available through Internet at no charge.

Electronic Journals and Books

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) publishes a hard-copy directory of electronic journals, newsletters, and scholarly discussion lists. Soon to be published will be an electronic directory with some 30 journal listings, about twice that number of newsletters, and over 1,000 scholarly lists. These directories represent publications which are created and distributed principally for BITNET, Internet, and any affiliated academic networks, largely for free. You can get this directory by electronic mail by sending a message to:

 
    LISTSERV@UOTTAWA.BITNET
    GET EJOURNL1 DIRECTRY
    GET EHOURNL2 DIRECTRY

Digital Equipment Corporation recently launched a monthly electronic newsletter for academic and research communities called "DECNEWS for Education and Research."

FTP Access

Internet lets you use anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP) to obtain software programs, computer graphics, clipart, games, and sounds. A database maintained by the Computer Science Department at McGill University contains a list of software available. There is no charge for FTP files or programs. Many of these FTP-like programs are also available through commercial networks such as Compuserve and Prodigy.

For more information please contact myself [leshin@maricopa.edu] or Alan Levine [alan.levine@domail.maricopa.edu] on A1 or at 602-731-8298.

Maricopa Center for Learning & Instruction (MCLI)
The Internet Connection at MCLI is Alan Levine --}
Comments to alan.levine@domail.maricopa.edu