jim@epistemi.UUCP (02/10/87)
Distribution: Followup-To: sci.misc Organization: Cognitive Science(Epistemics)Edinburgh U.,Scotland >And those of us who use the computer for public >communication like USENET often don't realize just how unique it is >as a social phenomenon. > >Assuming a computer-literate society and completely reasonable >extensions of resources and technology, this sort of communication has a >potential for social impact far exceeding that of the telephone. I tell my friends about what I've read on the newsnet etc and they're always very interested and surprised - but not half as surprised as I was when my fiance came home from work and announced that the computer terminal teller system now had email for communucation between all the branches in Britain. (She works for the Halifax - the "world's number 1" building society.) The staff are being encouraged to use the email as it's cheaper than the phone. Noone has got around to using it yet - there'll be a fair amount of consertvitism I expect - except her and the manager, who has to really. She found out how to use it mainly from being accustomed to my talking about using usenet, so the whole idea isn't new. It certainly took me by surprise though since I assume business to be way behind; the equipment that they do have is usually nice but a bit obsolete. I cope with new stuff in nasty packages :-). The one thing that her firm, and most that I hear of, is really behind on is document preparation - typing, word processing etc. -- Jim Scobbie: Centre for Cognitive Science, Edinburgh University, 2 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9LW, SCOTLAND UUCP: ...!ukc!cstvax!epistemi!jim JANET: jim@uk.ac.ed.epistemi