ITALIAN BBSes VICTIMS OF SURPRISE CRACKDOWN
In what is reportedly the first nationwide crackdown on BBSes in Italy, about 60 systems were raided by police on May 10 and 11. The raids followed an investigation into the operators of a Fidonet node who are accused of running a pirated software ring. Dozens more have been accused of distributing pirated software and appropriating secret passwords under a law passed this January by the Italian Parliament; many were accused in generic search warrants of "conspiracy with unknown." Many of those persecuted fell under suspicion only because their BBSes were also Fidonet nodes, despite Fidonet's well-known policy outlawing the trading of commercial software, passwords, and codes. In a near-replay of the infamous Steve Jackson case in the United States, Italian police did not know what to search for, and so confiscated not only computers, disks, and modems, but answering machines, audio tapes, CD-ROMs and personal effects as well. Italy has no laws protecting privacy of electronic documents.
ONLINE ADVERTISING EXCORIATED IN NEWS.* USENET NEWSGROUPS
More than half of the discussion in the news.groups, the newsgroup dedicated to Usenet administration, has been on the topic of the recent spate of touting online. In addition to continuing discussion of the infamous net.criminals Canter and Siegel, who were recently interviewed on CNN, conversation has also ranged from the delicate balance between theft of service and "freedom of commercial expression," with Brad Templeton, publisher of the ClariNet commercial newsgroup hierarchy as the sole promoter of the latter viewpoint, to a number of proposals for methods of limiting the damage caused by "spamming," as aggressive touting has been dubbed. At least one popular newsgroup, rec.photo, is moving to strict moderation in order to alleviate the problem.
DOGSLED TEAM GOES ONLINE
A six person team from the International Arctic Project (IAP) is traveling by dogsled on a 1,000 mile training mission in the Northwest Territories, and the unfolding account of their trip is available via fax, a toll free phone line, and the Internet. The trip lasts through the end of June, and is a training exercise for a trans-Polar 2,000 mile Arctic Ocean crossing to start in March 1995. The daily reports will be used to teach schoolkids across the US and Canada about the Arctic environment and its people. For a weekly free summary fax your name and fax number to +1 415 986 0808, attention IAP WEEKLY NEWS. The project's gopher can be reached at "gopher://gopher.econet.apc.org/ENVIRONMENT/INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC PROJECT/", by email at ksmurray@stthomas.edu, or by telephone from within the United States at +1 800 ARCTIC1.
SITES AND SERVICES
MODERN RUSSIAN ART AND TOUR OF MOSCOW AVAILABLE THROUGH THE WEB
A new WWW server in Moscow, Russia, called Window-to-Russia, will take you on a tour of eleven historical sites including the Kremlin and Red Square. An exhibit of "Contemporary Russian Fine Arts" is available on the WWW server, but isn't "modem friendly," as it contains many large images. Other items of interest are "business opportunities" (spelled, "Invest your dollars") and pointers to more Russian web servers. With Cyrillic fonts installed you can read the Russian Language entries, and much of the server provides English-language text as well. Windows to Russia is hosted by the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, one of Russia's leading Internet service providers, at "http://www.kiae.su/www/wtr/".
INTERNET COMPUTER INDEX CATALOGS ONLINE PC, MAC, & UNIX RESOURCES
ICI, the Internet Computer Index, is a free information service supported by companies with info and advertising areas. It provides menu driven and word search facilities for locating information about PC, Mac, and Unix hardware and software. Problems and tips can be searched from net sources, FAQ files, mailing lists and on-line publications. The ICI can be reached at "http://ici.proper.com".
ECOSYSTEMS OFFERS ENVIRONMENTAL INFO AND PRIVATE IRC SERVICES
The University of Virginia is serious about the environmental benefits of recycling and they are providing a variety of information through Internet and dialup BBS servers. They provide a tour through U.Va's recycling program and links to other environmental servers, mailing lists, and mail archives. For the truly serious environmentalists, they offer (by reservation) an isolated IRC client/server dedicated to private electronic conferences. Keyword searches of all text in EcoSystems are available along with an anonymous gopher client and the EcoWeb WWW server, at "http://ecosys.drdr.virginia.edu/EcoWeb.html".
THE VANDERBILT TELEVISION NEWS ARCHIVE ON GOPHER
A fine example of historical preservation (think what you will about the content), Vanderbilt University's archive has been recording, abstracting, and indexing national television newscasts since 1968. They now have a gopher available which should be of interest not only to historians, but also journalists and writers who need to know what the news used to be, or when Dan Rather stopped signing off with "Courage!". Check it out at "gopher://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu:70/1".
U.S. ARMY AREA HANDBOOK GOPHER CARRIES INTERNATIONAL INFO
Army Area Handbooks describing the culture, history, geography, politics, economies, and national institutions of several different countries are now available online. These aren't tourist guides; these are well researched though informal, something like crib-sheets for whole countries. If you wanted to know what Egyptian marriage customs are like, or why Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch, or what political parties are illegal in Singapore, this is a good source. Countries currently covered are Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Somalia, South Korea, and Yugoslavia, and new ones are being added. The librarian in charge is Raleigh Muns (srcmuns@umslvma.umsl.edu), and the gopher is at "gopher://UMSLVMA.UMSL.EDU/The Library/Government Information/Army Area Handbooks".
DISTANCE EDUCATION MAILING-LIST
If you're interested in discussing how computers can function as virtual classrooms, you may want to participant in the Agricultural Satellite Corporation's on-line discussion of distance education (DE), which is planned to continue through the end of 1994, with these goals: identifying key aspects related to administering DE evaluation; identifying the main variables in evaluating DE, and developing testing a model for evaluating DE. Thus far, the discussion has focused on identifying the aspects and variables in the evaluation process; the group plans to progress to evaluating model development before ending with the testing phase. To join this discussion, send e-mail to "listserv@unlvm.unl.edu" and include the string "Subscribe ASAT-EVA [your first name] [your last name]" in the message body.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA'S SUNSITE ARCHIVE NOW ON THE WEB
Sunsite.unc.edu, a huge Sun Microcomputer- and Cisco router-oriented ftp site and document archive maintained by the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, is now accessible via HTTP clients like Mosaic. Archives of relevant newsgroups, press releases, user newsletters, and technical support notes and white-papers are available from both companies on this server, all of them WAIS-indexed. In addition, a grab-bag of other information and services are available at "http://sunsite.unc.edu/dbarberi/communications.html", ranging from a collection of Linux software and tips to information on the status of various legislative issues before the U.S. House and Senate. Communications scholars may also wish to point their browsers at a substantial collection of documents related to online communication theory. Sunsite is at "http://sunsite.unc.edu".
WEB4LIB WWW ADMINISTRATORS' MAILING LIST
The Information Systems Instruction & Support (ISIS) group at the University of California, Berkeley library has introduced a new mailing list for library-based WWW developers and managers, called Web4Lib. Roy Tennant, head of the UCB library, said topics will include such varied themes as web resource selection, in-house web server access and cataloging issues. To subscribe, mail "listserv@library.berkeley.edu" with the text "SUB Web4Lib [your name]" in the body of the message. Roy Tennant can be reached at "rtennant@library.berkeley.edu" or +1 510 643 9494.
U.S. DEP'T OF COMMERCE'S NATIONAL TRADE DATABASE SOON TO BE ONLINE
The Office of Business Analysis of the Department of Commerce is moving to make its massive National Trade Data Base available on the Internet in June. Initially the NTDB will be searchable by gopher, though due to the size of the database searching it "will not be pleasant" according to Ken Rogers, one of the management types at the Department. Later in the year they plan to install "Inquery", a WAIS-like product developed at the University of Massachusetts.
CALIFORNIA SEISMIC INFO NOW ONLINE
Fault data from California and other regions is now available by FTP. You can get data on quake faults, slippage zones, as well as lakes and roads. Relevant highlights include fault maps for San Francisco and major highways in that region; you might want to correlate these to plan your next Bay Area commute. Unfortunately it won't be plotted for you; these are just binary files of numerical data on various areas, converted to points suitable for a plotter by a Unix Fortran program. ASCII files of the data are also available at the same site under the 'ascii' subdirectory for plotting under other systems. For questions and comments, contact the site maintainer, David Oppenheimer, at "oppen@alum.wr.usgs.gov". The files are at "ftp://alum.wr.usgs.gov/pub/map".
FOURTH WORLD DOCUMENTATION PROJECT PREACHES TO CHOIR
The Fourth World Documentation Project's mission is to make available to tribal governments, researchers and organizations with an interest in the Fourth World, an electronic archive of voices from the Fourth World. FWDP archives contain essays, position papers, resolutions, organizational information, treaties, UN documents, speeches and declarations. The FWDP gopher is at "gopher://fir.cic.net/Politics/Fourth.World", there's an ftp archive at "ftp://ftp.halcyon.com/pub/FWDP", it's on Fidonet at "1:352/333", and can be dialed up directly at +1 206 786 9629 in Seattle, Washington.
NEW GOPHER TARGETING EDUCATION REFORM AND COMMUNITY
Ferdi Serim (ferdi@cosn.org) and the Consortium for School Networking (COSN) are trying to establish a "Proposed Idea Exchange," and are soliciting suggested material and ideas from the public. The COSN Gopher would provide an environment for discussion of the Internet's role in community development, education reform, technology transfer from affluent to low-income areas and similar ideas. Check out the COSN gopher at "gopher://digital.cosn.org:70/1/Networking Information/The Proposed Idea Exchange".
LEARNED INFORMATION LAUNCHES INTERNET SERVER
Feeling too lazy to read all those European electronic communication periodicals? One company has made it easier to blow them off. Learned Information Ltd., LI, has launched the LI NewsWire electronic magazine. It will contain selected "Top 10" stories from some of LI's own periodicals, including Information World Review; Electronic Documents; The Electronic Library; Monitor; and Online & CD-ROM Review. LI has also established a document server, The Learned InfoNet which will advertise conferences, exhibitions and Internet training session dates as well as LI NewsWire. The server is at "http://info.learned.co.uk/" or "gopher://info.learned.co.uk/", or send mail to "marketing@learned.co.uk" for more info.
COMPUSERVE - CONSUMER REPORTS AUTO INFO AVAILABLE FREE
Prospective car buyers can now access Consumer Reports' April automotive information in Consumer Reports online on CompuServe. The report covers most cars, minivans, and sport/utility vehicles sold in the United States, nearly 200 1994 models. Also included are frequency-of-repair records for vehicles since 1988. The records list potential trouble spots such as engine, brakes, body rust, and air conditioning. You can reach Consumer Reports at GO CONSUMER, a free basic service.
COMPUSERVE - ASTRONAUT JANICE FORD IN FLORIDA TODAY FORUM
If all goes as planned, sometime in 1995 Janice Voss Ford will look up from her seat and see the Russian space station Mir. Ford has been a shuttle astronaut since her first flight last June. She and her colleagues aboard Discovery plan to circle Mir next year. She will be answering questions in a Florida Today Forum conference at 8 p.m. EDT, May 31. To make reservations to attend, send a message to forum sysop Mark DeCotis (71333,1616) on CompuServe. The forum can be reached at GO FLATODAY.
COMPUSERVE - NCSA STARTS INFOSECURITY FORUM
If computer espionage, and counter-espionage are your thing, visit CompuServe's new InfoSecurity Forum, run by the U.S. National Computer Security Association. The NCSA provides training, testing, and consulting services to improve computer and information security, reliability, and ethics. Forum message sections include PC and LAN security, UNIX/Internet security, telecommunications security, encryption, disaster recovery, anti-virus support, and computer ethics. Each section is moderated by an expert in the field. The NCSA InfoSecurity Forum can be reached at GO NCSAFORUM.
AMERICA ONLINE - FORMER NSA CHIEF COUNSEL STEWART BAKER IN C.S. FORUM
Stewart Baker, who recently resigned his position as chief counsel to the National Security Agency, will appear in AOL's Center Stage forum on Thursday May 26, from 7-9 PM EST. He will discuss and take questions about the Clipper chip, which he is in favor of. His recent article on the subject published in WIRED magazine is available online at "http://www.wired.com/Etext/2.06/nsa.clipper.html", "gopher://gopher.wired.com/Etext/2.06/nsa.clipper", or by mail to "infodroid@wired.com" with the text "get 2.06/features/nsa.clipper" in the body of the message.
AMERICA ONLINE - REPORTER JOSH QUITTNER DISCUSSES EFF IN WIRED FORUM
Josh Quittner will discuss the making of the Electronic Frontier Foundation in the WIRED Auditorium, June 1, 9-10 PM EST. Mr. Quittner is a technology reporter for Newsday.
PRODIGY - CHAT AND OFF-LINE READER FINALLY AVAILABLE
Finally this June online chat will be offered to Windows and Mac users. Pricing is unknown at press time, but is expected to be about $3.60 per hour without 9600 or daytime surcharges. New releases of the Mac and Windows client will be needed for this feature, both currently in beta test. JUMP: WINDOWS UPGRADE for pricing and other info. Bulletin Board Note Manager, to be released in late June, is a software package enabling members to do off-line browsing of bulletin boards and also to create off-line messages for posting. More info and a demo is available by jumping to BB MGR PREVIEW. No pricing info yet.
PRODIGY - ONLINE SAFETY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
Ever paranoid about the online environment it controls, and in the wake of some well publicized cases of online stalking, Prodigy has embarked on an online safety campaign. Recent efforts include a "Dear Member" column advertised on login screens, and three pieces about online safety by Prodigy columnist Larry Magid.
PRODIGY - ACCESS ATLANTA PROVIDES REGIONAL COVERAGE
The Atlanta Constitution-Journal and Prodigy have teamed up to offer regional and community coverage of the Atlanta, Georgia area. Content includes local news, education, arts, community info, etc. Price is $4.95 per month. JUMP: ACCESS ATLANTA for more info.
SAVANNAH - NEW ONLINE SERVICE PROMISES TO SIMULATE THE VELDT
"The place where the memories of the past and the possibilities of the future share an uneasy alliance with the present." A new online service claims to provide "a stepping point into another way of experiencing your world." Offering a variety of tools, articles, and simulations, Savannah enables explorers to encounter virtual realities ranging from a colony on Mars to the grassy plains of Africa. Savannah subscribers receive access to such resources as Gopher, WAIS, and WWW; all Usenet newsgroups, and guidelines for entering assorted virtual worlds. Future plans include a distributed graphics "Caribbean Cruiser," so that members can experience life on a luxury ocean liner. Debuting June 14, Savannah is available via different payment plans. For more information, mail "grantham@mr.net" with the text "savannah" in the subject or body of the message.
BOOKS
NETIQUETTE - BY VIRGINIA SHEA
Ever wish that Miss Manners would clone herself and specialize in Internet etiquette? Author Virginia Shea hopes that her new book, "Netiquette," will fill that gap ($19.95; Albion Books; San Francisco ISBN 0-9637025-1-3). Shea prescribes the proper attitudes and actions for Net society, including dealing with flames, romance in cyberspace, and online discussion groups. In addition, "Netiquette" contains essays on business, personal, and educational online manners, and discussions of accompanying legal and philosophical matters. For a detailed description of the book, table of contents, and order form, mail "netiquette-request@albion.com" with the text "archive send book-info" in the Subject field.
USENET NEWS THREADS
REC.ARTS.BOOKS.MARKETPLACE OFF TO A BRISK START
The newly-formed Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.books.marketplace, intended to relieve some of the pressure on the heavily-used rec.arts.books newsgroup, is quickly becoming an excellent online resource for both book-seekers and book-sellers. With more than 150 postings in its first week, it's already seen lively discussion of online bookstores, practical hints on avoiding damaging books when shipping them through the mail, and many pointers to rare and out-of-print books. On a humorous note, one poster believed he had a rare Naval Press first edition of "The Hunt for Red October" which, when he transcribed the copyright page, turned out to be not a first, but a twenty-seventh edition!
REC.PETS.CATS READERS SWAP ANECDOTES, PRACTICAL TIPS
If you own (or are owned by) a feline, rec.pets.cats is worth a paws. Recent topics ranged from curing an infection on a kitten's chin to keeping raccoons from noshing on tabby's food. A recurring theme: felines who prefer unusual foods, such as a cat who goes ga-ga for angel food cake, a kitty who craves cantaloupe, and a tabby addicted to spaghetti. And, on a dewy note, a new cat owner who wanted to train her kitten to stay off objects such as venetian blinds and lace tablemats received solutions varying from spraying Ms. Kitty with water from a plant mister or water pistol to covering the forbidden surface with saran wrap or aluminum foil.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
TIAC NOW BUNDLING TURN-KEY 56K INTERNET SERVICE IN BOSTON AREA
The Internet Access Company, tiac.net, is now reselling Sprint's Sprintlink 56-kilobit Internet feeds bundled with NYNEX service and all the necessary hardware, throughout the greater Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan area, including Cambridge, Worcester, and Bedford. A US$1,200 start-up fee and US$595/month thereafter (one year minimum) secures the use of a dedicated 56K digital link from NYNEX and a Fastcomm CSU/DSU at each end of the feed, in addition to the normal Internet Protocol routed feed. TIAC can be reached at +1 617 275 2221 (voice), +1 617 275 0331 (data), max.tiac.net (telnet), or info@tiac.net (electronic mail).
BBSes
FREE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION BBS GOES ONLINE
The National Center for Research in Vocational Education in Berkeley, CA, is providing BBS services free through June 30th. They have public forum, chat, news of meetings/conferences, listings of papers/reports for sale, private e-mail, et cetera. Guest and registration instructions are provided on the initial BBS screen. According to one of their document summaries, "the labor market for individuals with a high school diploma, but less than a 4 year college degree, is about three of every five jobs in the U.S.". These are the people who can best be served by Vocational Education. The BBS can be reached at "telnet://vocserv.berkeley.edu/" or directly at +1 510 643 6793, with login "guest" or "new".
OFF-LINE DINOSAUR BBS IN ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
The Lava Dome III Dinosaur Information Exchange BBS is devoted to dinosaur fact and fiction, and sysop Matt Matulaitis is looking for scientists and informed amateurs to keep the two from mixing. Five hours of free access daily are offered to credentialled experts willing to help out. The BBS can be reached at +1 215 357 6516.
PRODUCTS
WINWAIS 2.0 WAIS QUERY CLIENT FOR WINDOWS RELEASED
The new version 2.0 of EINet's "winWAIS" is a great client for Windows users, researchers and netsurfers alike. It includes two graphic file viewers and a configuration/analysis tool to trace the installation and configuration settings. With a little attention to the readme files, installation and setup is easy. WinWAIS 2.0 can be found at "ftp://ftp.einet.net/einet/pc/ewais200.zip"[zip,exe].
2MB DISTRIBUTION OF HYTELNET 6.7 FOR DOS JUST RELEASED
Hytelnet 6.7, the latest version of a shareware telnet terminal emulator, has just been released. The majority of DOS users may be daunted by the 58 new directories in this distribution, containing more than 1,700 files, over two megabytes in total. Hytelnet 6.7 can be found at the University of Saskatchewan, "ftp://ftp.usask.ca".
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