[1528] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Use of the Internet
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Public-Access Computer Systems For)
Tue Oct 20 13:05:17 1992
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1992 12:00:32 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
4 Messages, 155 Lines
*----
From: Dan Lester <ALILESTE@IDBSU>
Subject: Re: Use of the Internet
On Thu, 15 Oct 1992 16:28:52 CDT <THENDERSON@Library.MsState.Edu> said:
>I have been a subscriber to pacs-l for two days now and have already
>received a number of interesting messages. But two messages this
I am always amazed when someone with two days experience has all the
answers. This happens on other lists too, so it isn't too personal
of a flame. I suppose its similar to the situation of people reaching
their greatest level of intelligence at the age of 18 or so, and having
all the answers then.....until they age and continue to learn that they
have fewer and fewer answers the older they get. Most parents enjoy
this phenomenon as their children reach their twenties, thirties, etc. 8-)
>morning have disturbed me: two different network users chose to
>include brief political comments after their addresses. Ok, I
Once again, the discussions of sigs, their length, political and
religious comments, etc, occurs on all lists. Boring!!!
>believe in free speech and open communication, and all that stuff.
>But I also do not want to see this list, and indeed, Internet, become
>a ping pong table for political and social commentary. I signed on
Well, yes, this is a 'professional' list to many, probably most, but it
certainly is NOT a 'library list' in any narrow sense. And, as this
newcomer will learn, the Internet IS a 'ping pong table for political
and social commentary' as anyone who checks the list of lists will see.
Try lists like history, politics, val-l, words-l, and hundreds of others.
>for professional reasons. I want to learn from my colleagues. But
>this is not the place for your unrelated opinions. See Lee
One person's related opinion is another person's unrelated opinion.
>Jaffe's remarks today about what Internet is and how it can be used by
>librarians. Another writer this morning referred to "cybertrash," an
>appropriate term for the things that clutter the discussion. Let's
One person's trash is another person's treasure.
I'm tempted to go on, but.....it's not necessary, and I surely wouldn't
want to be accused of producing 'cybertrash' for someone whose finger
can't reach the delete key.
dan
*****************************************************************************
* Dan Lester Bitnet: alileste@idbsu *
* Associate University Librarian Internet: alileste@idbsu.idbsu.edu *
* Boise State University *
* Boise, Idaho 83725 BSU and I have a deal: I don't speak *
* 208-385-1234 for them and they don't speak for me. *
*****************************************************************************
*-----
From: zane_clark@csufresno.edu
Subject: Re: Use of the Internet
Thank you Elizabeth for your answer to the new subscriber who
complained about 'politicizing' the list. You said exactly what I
was thinking, but I may not have been so temperate.
--
Zane Clark
Library Instruction Coordinator
California State University Fresno
zane_clark@csufresno.edu
******************************************************************
"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without
losing your temper or your self-confidence."
Robert Frost
******************************************************************
*-----
From: AURLP@UNDJES2
Subject: Re: Services via the Internet
I have just read Todd Schmitzer message about re:
(OCLC) Services via the Internet. I have no idea what
retrictions there are that may keep OCLC from providing
access to PRISM service via the Internet. It is more
likely that it was OCLC's decision not the Internet
governing body which kept the PRISM service off the
Internet. But this may no longer be case.
According to a recent article in the _Chronicle of
Higher Education_, OCLC is planning to allow access to
cataloging services (presumably PRISM though not
specifically mentioned in the article) through the
Internet. However, no specific date was mentioned when
this might occur. See David L. Wilson,"Massive Data
Base Used by Libraries Hopes to Provide Its Services
Through the Internet," October 7, 1992: A17,A18.
I think it is understandable why OCLC has been hesitant
to offer access to PRISM over the Internet. As noted in
the article, OCLC has some concerns over paying off a
$13 million debt in capital costs for installation of
the now completed New network. Once OCLC makes its
PRISM service available via the "free" Internet they
likely fear a revenue loss as users cancel dedicated
access in favor of the Internet. The problem for OCLC
is how much of a loss in revenue to expect and how can
they offset it.
This issue ought to be of concern to OCLC's customers,
especially public, small academic, and school libraries
which are more likely not to have access to the
Internet. Will they be paying significantly higher
costs for dedicated access lines if enough libraries
cancel dedicated network service? Fewer libraries using
OCLC's network means a smaller base available from
which OCLC can collect fees to amortize the cost of
the network and pay maintenance costs. One way to
offset the loss would be to levy higher fees per
dedicated line.
I do believe OCLC's decision is a positive move
forward. But, it does cause one to ponder the negative
impacts, if any, the majority of libraries could
experience.
*********************************************************
Randy Pederson, Computer Services Librarian,
Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota,
Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202
Bitnet: AURLP@UNDJES2; Voice (701) 777-4643
*********************************************************
*----
From: Sanjay_Chadha@library.tmc.edu
Subject: Use of the Internet
Two days Tom??? Well, then you may be suprised that there are portions
of Internet DEDICATED to political discussion. There are several lists
dedicated to that, there are servers that have been storing all the
candidates speeches, adn USENET is FULL of political, social, cultural,
TV, trvia, and even bizzare lists, so if you want to change the nature
of Internet, I am afraid it is a bit too late....
However, you may have a point with this specific list. The majority of
list users and list administrators can decide that political messages
will not be tolerated, but I don't see how any list that relates to
Information /Libraries is going to be able to do that. Perhaps you can
retrieve from PCAS-L archives discussion on Michael Hart, which will
give you a good idea on how this issues get tangled, and remember,
political speech is afforded FAR more protection than commercial speech
(which is what I think copyrighted speech is). Besides, no service
profession is above or out of social commentary, lest it gets out of
touch with society
Sanjay R. Chadha
sanjayc@library.tmc.edu
