Describes a computer-mediated communications (CMC) system called CoSy that performs conferencing and mail functions, and reports on its use at the Open University. Results of a questionnaire that focused on student expectations suggest that the lack of social rules for controlling the flow of dialogue requires attention. (LRW)

Traces the origin of ISAAC (Information System for Advanced Academic Computing) and the development of a languages and linguistics "room" at the University of Washington-Seattle. ISAAC, a free, valuable resource, consists of two databases and an electronic bulletin board spanning broad areas of pedagogical and research fields. (Author/CB)

Focuses on the attempts of Portuguese-speaking e-mail users to carry out "unofficial" spelling reforms as they deal with diacritical markings. The use of these markings on the Internet reflects individual user's felt need for accentuation. The preference for word-final accentuation over other types is much more harmonious to type and read than are…

Uses genre and genre repertoire to investigate a community's structuring of communicative practices. Examines communications exchanged by a group of distributed knowledge workers in a multiyear, interorganizational project conducted primarily through electronic mail. Results reveal rich, varied communications shaped in response to community norms,…

Suggests a variety of ways to increase interaction with distance learners on an interactive telecommunications system, based on experiences at the University of Maine at Augusta. Highlights include establishing the proper environment; telephone systems; voice mail; fax; electronic mail; computer conferencing; postal mail; printed materials; and…

Concludes that electronic mail played a major role in building a sense of community in a graduate reading class of non-experts in computer technology, facilitated the sharing of ideas and resources, encouraged risk taking, helped students reflect on their learning, and encouraged cooperative learning. Notes that problems included accessibility of…

Describes the availability, installation, and use of the ZhonWen Disk Operating System (ZWDOS) to display, print, and transmit Chinese characters on conventional International Business Machines (IBM) personal computers and IBM-compatible machines. Also discussed is the use of ZWDOS to compose electronic mail messages, read newsgroups, and access…

Proposes that social constructivist theories of communication technology in organizations that interact with social agents influence technology-related cognition and behavior. Finds that individuals' cognitions of their combined network partners' attitudes and behaviors in using electronic mail predicted the individuals' own attitudes and…

Profiles computer usage at Tapawarea Area School, a small, rural, pre-K-12 school in New Zealand. A guided tour finds 14-year olds writing stories at individual terminals, several students participating in distance learning, older students teaching younger ones in forms 6 and 7, and a social studies class communicating with another school. (MLH)

Provides brief reviews of the sites for several online services of the World Wide Web; the Web as a marketing tool and other aspects of interest to information professionals are highlighted. A sidebar presents information on accessing Internet locations, graphics, online forms, Telnet, saving, printing, mailing, and searching. (AEF)

A telecommunications curriculum was developed for students (ages 15-21) with physical disabilities. Curriculum content included an internal mailbox program (Mailbox), interactive communication system (Blisscom), bulletin board system (Arctel), and a mainframe system (Compuserv). (JDD)

This pathfinder was originally prepared for "Biomedical Research and Animal Rights," a session sponsored by the Veterinary Medical Libraries and Research Libraries Sections of the Medical Library Association. Current resources are described, from bibliographies to electronic bulletin boards, which relate to the issue of laboratory animal…

Provides an overview of the INTERNET and INTERNET services of interest to libraries, including electronic mail, bulletin boards, electronic publishing, online public access catalogs and databases, and downloaded texts and software. (16 references) (MES)

TriState Online is a Cincinnati area community access computer system organized to represent an "electronic city." The library area of the system provides communication among librarians, assistance in accessing library collections, and information about public library services. A new area featuring the Cincinnati chapter of the Special…

Explains how to use electronic mail (e-mail) through INTERNET to deliver the results of online searching on DIALOG. Topics discussed include options for delivering search results, including delivery time and charges; limitations of direct e-mail delivery; where results can be sent; and costs, including savings in staff time. (two references) (LRW)