gjm (02/23/83)
net.books is here! This news group is for the discussion of books of all kinds: classic or current, comic or tragic, thick or thin, famous or infamous. To get things started, I would like to mention a book that Paul Lustgarten kindly lent to me. THE NETWORK NATION - HUMAN COMMUNICATION VIA COMPUTER by Starr Roxanne Hiltz and Murry Turoff (1978 Addison- Wesley) is a comprehensive work on computer conferencing. The authors cover the full range of the subject including the technology, the sociology and psychology, the politics, the economics, and the opportunities. Usenet, the usenet community, and its history have brought the dicussion of Hiltz and Turoff into real life. We have already experienced many of their "predictions" and have already progressed through some growing pains toward the establishment of a communications community. While I haven't yet had the free time to read much of the book in depth, I am very impressed by what I have read. The book is also heightened by opening each chapter with a "ficitious issue of the Boswash Times, the computerized news service of the Boston-Washington megalopolis." [THE BOSWASH TIMES, June 1, 1993 -- Social News column] Capulet-Montague -- Juliet Capulet and Romeo Montague announce with joy their forthcoming marriage. In order that both families may attend without undue risk of disturbing the ceremony, it will be conducted by computerized conference. Welcome to net.books! Enjoy! Gary Murakami IH/IW/IX netnews administrator - networking Bell Labs - Indian Hill ihnp4!gjm
gerhart (02/23/83)
I'm about to start an "electronic correspondence course" offered over EIES, the network upon which THE NETWORK NATION and COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS (Kerr and Hiltz, Academic Press) is based. The course is "technological forecasting" (for beginners) and is to be conducted via the conferencing and other mechanisms of EIES. Other courses include microcomputers, management and leadership, and the network nation subject itself. Content should be the equivalent of a 4 day seminar and there is a required book. These courses appear to be an interesting experiment integrating networking and education. New Jersey Institute of Technology offers the courses through its continuing education program and the cost per course is in the $500-700 range, including EIES membership but excluding connections to TeleNet. I have three reasons for taking the course: experience with EIES software and procedures, exposure to EIES mileau, and the topic itself. I'll be happy to report my experience relative to the descriptions in the books and articles. If anyone else is interested, or participating, please contact me. Susan Gerhart, Wang Institute of Graduate Studies decvax!wivax!gerhart gerhart.wang-inst@udel-relay
johnc (02/24/83)
#R:ihnp4:-19200:tekcad:23300001:000:412 tekcad!johnc Feb 23 20:47:00 1983 Let's not start off with advertising for courses in net.books. I mean really. Gag me with a spoon. Good books I have read recently: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance...should be required reading. The Right Stuff...probably the basis of the Real Man vs. Quiche Eater craze. The Belly of the Beast...Very depressing. I don't get much time for pleasure reading so good pointers would be much appreciated.