[comp.edu] NetWeaver 3.10 - October 1987

patth@dasys1.UUCP (Patt Haring) (10/22/87)

                     Welcome to NETWEAVER

                 The interactive, intersystem

                       newsletter of the

               Electronic Networking Association

 

 "Our purpose is to promote electronic networking in ways that

 enrich individuals, enhance organizations, and build global

 communities."

_______________________________________________________________

 

Volume 3, Number 10                                October 1987

 Copyright(c) by Electronic Networking Association (ENA), 1987

 

 NETWEAVER is published electronically on Networking and

 World Information (NWI), 333 East River Drive, East Hartford,

 CT, 06108 (1-800-624-5916) using Participate (R) sofware from

 Network Technologies International, Inc. (NETI), Ann Arbor, MI.

 

 

            Managing Editor:  Lisa Carlson

 

       Contributing Editors:  Mike Blaszczak

                              Al Martin

                              Stan Pokras

                              George Por

                              Peg Rossing

                              Tom Sherman

                              Philip Siddons

 

 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

 NETWEAVER is available via NewsNet, the world's leading

 vendor of full-text business and professional newsletters

 online.  Read, Search or Scan all issues of NETWEAVER as TE55

 in NewsNet's Telecommunications industry category. For access

 details call 800-345-1301. In PA or outside the U.S., call

 215-527-8030.

 

 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

 We *welcome* anyone interested in joining the Netweaver staff!

 

        The deadline for articles for the next issue is

                    the 15th of the month.

 

  KUDOS to the "porters," unsung heroes of the Network Nation!

           One of them has brought this issue to you.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

Volume 3, Number 10      ---CONTENTS---              October 1987

 

  1 Masthead and Index

 

 

  2 ENA UPDATE ................................ by Lisa Carlson

                                                    (2282 char)

 

         Introduction to this issue of The Netweaver: last

         chance to write to the FCC, and an invitation to

         join the ENA conference planning team.

 

 

   3 COMPUTER FEAR .......................... by Stephanie Kott

                                                    (5187 char)

 

         A report on Mike Greenly's interview with leading

         experts on computer phobias and the online discussion

         which followed.

 

 

   4 LAP TOP PUBLISHING (Part I) ..........  by Phillip Siddons

                                                    (6186 char)

 

          a case study report of how a creative ad man turned to 

          his laptop when deadlines loomed.

 

 

   5 LAP TOP PUBLISHING (Part II) .........  by Phillip Siddons

                                                    (5087 char)

 

 

   6 ELECTRONIC DEMOCRACY (Part I) ............. by Dave Hughes

                                                    (5096 char)

 

         Dave Huges shares some of the wisdom about

         applications of electronic networking to politics.

 

 

   7 ELECTRONIC DEMOCRACY (Part II) ............ by Dave Hughes

                                                    (4154 char)

 

 

   8 MEMBERSHIP FORM

  

  

2 (of 8) ENA EDITOR Oct. 18, 1987 at 16:48 Eastern (2282 characters)

  

ENA NETWEAVER   Volume 3, Number 10, Article 2   (October 1987)

 

                         ENA Update

                       by Lisa Carlson

 

One of the most talked about obstacles to wide acceptance of

the medium of computer conferencing is "computer fear."  Mike

Greenly interviewed Drs. Michelle Weil and Larry Rosen on the

subject and shared the results with his online readers. In this

issue of NETWEAVER, Stefanie Kott reports on Mike's interview

and the lively discussion which followed.

 

People who fall in love with computer conferencing soon fall in

love with something else - laptop computers!  Read about a real

life "case study" of how an ad was created via laptop by Philip

Siddons.

 

The presidential campaign of 1988 is already well underway.

Discussions of how computer conferencing could support the

political process both before AND after the election have

started up on many networks.  A couple of candidates have set

up their own private systems and more will probably follow.

Dave Hughes has probably had more experience than anyone in the

world at using an online system as an integral part of local

politics.  We've collected a series of Dave's online comments

for NETWEAVER readers about his experience and what he's

concluded about the place of electronic communication at the

grass-roots level.

 

The effectiveness of online "calls for action" is being tested

this month.  The FCC is accepting comments on proposed new

rules which may have an effect on online costs (CC Docket

87-215) until October 26th so there's still time to make your

views known.  See past issues of NETWEAVER for a range of

viewpoints on this issue and get YOUR comments in on time!

Comments should be addressed to: The Honorable Dennis R.

Patrick, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission,

Washington, D.C. 20554.

 

Get ready to mark your calendar!  We will soon announce the

exact dates for the next ENA f-t-f meeting which will take place

in Philadelphia in May '88.  If you have an idea for the

program or would like to participate in putting this event

together, let us know soon.  Everyone with an interest in

computer conferencing is welcome to participate.

 

We're always looking for more articles and article ideas for

NETWEAVER.  What would YOU like to see here next month?

  

  

3 (of 8) ENA EDITOR Oct. 18, 1987 at 16:48 Eastern (5187 characters)

  

ENA NETWEAVER   Volume 3, Number 10, Article 3   (October 1987)

 

                       "COMPUTER FEAR"

                (Another Mike Greenly Special)

                       by Stefanie Kott

 

 

Mike Greenly, the online roving camera, invited members of NWI

to meet two Ph.D.'s in psychology, Michelle Weil and Larry

Rosen, a married couple who specialze in treating

computerphobia.  He took us into their living room, described

it and their casual dress, breathed life into their dynamic

relationship, and then got down to business.

 

"Phobic reactions to technology appear to be one reason so many

bank customers still avoid actively using the widely installed

base of cash-card terminals...or...learning how to program the

videotape recorders they own, or...using all the features of

their microwave ovens," Michelle said.  Add to this the fact

that Larry teaches courses in statistics requiring computer

use, and that he finds that over half his students demonstrate

fear of computers--a quarter of them with degrees of panic--and

you have motivation to explore the phenomenon of computerphobia

seriously.

 

Michelle, Larry, and Dr. Deborah Sears, who work out of

California State University in Dominquez Hills, California,

applied for, and received, a three-year Fund for the

Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant to develop

"a treatment model for eliminating the effects of fear that

hold people back from computers and their importance in

business and education," Mike explained.

 

The research team has identified three types of computerphobia

and treatment for each. In brief:

 

The Anxious Computerphobic, who exhibits physical symptoms such

as sweaty palms and back tension, is treated with systematic

desensitization. Treatment includes relaxation techniques

employed while imagining situations in which

computers have been a source of anxiety.

 

The Cognitive Computerphobic, who appears calm but is certain

that the computer is smarter |han he or she is, is made aware

of his or her negative feelings.  Then an attempt is made to

stop the negative thoughts by "creating a void" where negative

thinking was, and replacing the negative thoughts with positive

ones.  The end result of this approach, essentially, is to give

these computerphobics a feeling of competence.

 

Treatment for the Uncomfortable User is done in groups of ten

and is designed to develop computer awareness and eliminate

misconceptions about the computer. Among other things done in

this treatment process, the insides of a computer are shown and

floppy disks are cut apart.

 

There is improvement with all their subjects, and the study is

ongoing. Some of the interesting facts that

emerge include:

 

* There is not necessarily as much comfort among young people

  as we tend to think.

 

* Young people who play arcade games do not necessarily take

  well to computers.

 

* Teachers are often computerphobic. When students learn from

  computerphobics, the results are predicatable.

 

* People who are adept at the computer should not assume that

  friends and members of their families will approach computer

  use with equal ease.

 

The unshaking belief that computers will continue to be

important in our lives underlies the motivation of the

researchers to help as many computerphobics as they can. Their

goals include expanding the program to reach more teachers,

businesspeople, and even governments agencies both in the U.S.

and abroad.

 

As always in Mike's interviews, the readers are invited to

contribute their ideas about the topic.  And, as usual, many of

the readers did. There was a lively discussion of computer fear

itself, as opposed to real phobias about computers. A few

people pointed out that those who experience real phobias have

emotionally based reactions of deeper origin than those who

experience computer fear.  Also discussed was the fact that

there has been too little study done in this area even to have

an adequate construct to describe the phenomenon, and that

computer fear will likely be found to result from numerous

personal, cultural, and subcultural factors as yet not fully

understood.

 

A healthy discussion developed around the idea of legitimizing

the notion of computer fear too much.  Some readers feel that

enthusiasm about technology and what it can do, coupled with

excitement about learning it, far surpass treating people as

if there are problems inherent in the process they are entering

as they begin to learn to use computers.

 

Some offered advice about dealing with people who are fearful

of computers. One believes that starting with a laptop like the

Radio Shack Model 100 is advantageous because the perception of

it is that it is more typewriter-like than computer-like, and

therefore less threatening. A few readers expressed the feeling

that using analogies to things known are helpful, such as

likening memory to the brain of the computer. Others believe it

is key to let people know that they cannot hurt the computer by

pressing a wrong key, and that the computer is not, in fact,

smarter than they are.

 

If you would like to see more of what was said in the latest of

Mike's eclectic explorations, come to NWI and JOIN "COMPUTER

FEAR."

  

  

4 (of 8) ENA EDITOR Oct. 18, 1987 at 16:49 Eastern (6186 characters)

  

ENA NETWEAVER   Volume 3, Number 10, Article 4   (October 1987)

 

                 Lap Top Publishing (Part I)

                      by Philip Siddons

 

Like people with bladder problems who intuitively know the

location of public rest room facilities, finding a grounded

electrical outlet for my plug-in portable computer has become

second nature.

 

With my usual luck, I've managed to find a table not only next

to an outlet, but beside the two story picture window

overlooking 57th and 40th.

 

It's ten AM and beneath me flows a river of taxies, limos,

buses, and upscale cars through the canyons of skyscrapers.

People were walking on the traffic's banks with stern

determination, seemingly confident they will reach their

offices.  Cautious enough to wear jogging shoes in contrast to

their suits.  Athletic wear to catch up to a bus? Outrun

another taxi hunter?  Perhaps to run away from a would be

mugger?  Everyone in New York has a story.  It's a jungle out

there.

 

I had counted my odds when passing the tall and bedranggled

looking bag man on the street outside the Hyatt.  Was he

exposing himself to the picture window?  No, just talking in

argumentative tones to the manikin in the store window.  Would

he turn his rage on me?

 

 "VISITING ADVERTISING DIRECTOR BRUTALLY SLAIN OUTSIDE HOTEL."

 

More probably:

 

       "UNKNOWN MAN SLAIN BY CRAISED FORMER STOCK EXCHANGE

EXECUTIVE."

 

There's something unique about eating breakfast while

overlooking 57th and 40th.  The restaurant is deserted. The

late morning hour has dictated that lodgers must be at their

points of interest or company conferences.  They're out in the

canyons of metropolis, trying to get their vacation money's

worth, or their company's money's worth.

 

I've already taken an early morning stroll down the street and

purchased a T-shirt for my daughter.  Great graphic of a

collection of people riding on a bus.  Most of their faces look

bewildered.  The caption below is "New York City, only the

strong survive."  Only a Manhatten native could have written

that copy.  Not something I've seen on posters produced by the

chamber of commerce for travel agencies.

 

And when you order an eighteen dollar breakfast, the cheapest

on the menu, while overlooking this sea of humanity in

transport through the architecture, your breakfast companion is

guilt.  Will the company really believe that this breakfast cost

eighteen dollars?  How come I'm not out there in the flow of

humanity, on my way to being productive in society, instead of

sitting in this luxurious restaurant?

 

The tall black gangly bag man I quickly passed on my way back

into the fortress of the Hyatt has appeared on the far corner.

Now he's talking to the Citycorp building on the adjacent

corner.  I thought that if I had any breakfast left over, I

would take give it to the fellow.  How can he survive in this

stainless steel and concrete forest when it must take fifty

thousand for the rest of these people to live in at least a

studio?

 

An ad.  I might as well be productive and work on our company's

next ad.  That's it.  I'll create an ad with my lap top and be

productive sitting where I am.  I don't have to chase a taxi

out there.  Grow where you're planted.

 

First things first.  The product.  We want to advertise Epson

printers and computers.

 

The problem with computers is they're ugly.  No matter what

brand you advertise, all computer hardware is ugly.  You can

temporarily distract your audience with the former cast of

MASH, or Charleton Heston, but sooner or later they'll notice.

They look like the result of an unsuccessful marriage of a

typewriter and a television.  Anything for a picture of people

having something to do with the computer.

 

Perhaps a picture of the bag man across the street.  "The

computer that changed my life" he might say as he gaily looked

up from his keyboard.  Unfortunately he's is sitting down on

the sidewalk against the building, unavailable for a photo

session. Must have grown tired of Citycorp's lack of response.

He's still talking to an invisible listener, feet stretched out

haphazardly.  People walk around him without complaint.

 

"How would you like to be photographed for a newspaper ad for

an Epson computer?" I'd might ask him.  "You'd be on the second

page of the financial section of the Buffalo paper.  I'd need

you to sit by this machine, smiling at the results of your

laser printer's output.  You need to look productive,

stimulated, satisfied, delighted that you are privileged to be

using this technology."

 

Back to the ad.  Art really makes an ad.  Where am I going to

get something with people in it.  No matter what anyone says,

if you haven't got something visual, you haven't got an ad.

We've grown up with Fred Roger's puppets and the gala folks on

Sesame Street.  We demand to be visually stimulated.  I wonder

what Fred Rogers would have said to this bag man if he showed

up in The Land of Make Believe?

 

And then there are the people riding on the bus of the new

T-shirt over on the corner of the breakfast table.  That's it.

Weary travelers in hopes of being successful for another day.

Why not use them?  When I get back to the office,I'll photocopy

the T-shirt, run the image through the scanner, and pull it

into the ad.  Even in New York I can get the creative juices

going.

 

I wonder if the bag man has ever heard of Epson Computers?  Now

he's on his feet rummaging through a nearby trash receptacle.

He is opening bags eating left over food.  Drinking out of a

discarded pop can.  He probably isn't worried about diseases

because he has built up tremendous immunity.  But whatever he's

had for breakfast, he didn't pay $ 2.95 for the orange juice.

 

OK, now the ad has a picture of the bus passengers.  The

headline.  It's got to be short, catchy.  It's got to offer

something.  The people in the drawing look like they need to be

home in an air-conditioned room with their feet up on the

chair.  Nothing Epson computers has is going to change their

bus ride.

 

How about going from the angle of catching these people off

guard?  Candid camera playing Trivial Pursuit.  No relief is in

sight for these travelers, so I'll offer them a quiz game to

pass the time.

  

  

5 (of 8) ENA EDITOR Oct. 18, 1987 at 16:50 Eastern (5087 characters)

  

ENA NETWEAVER   Volume 3, Number 10, Article 5   (October 1987)

 

                Lap Top Publishing (Part II)

                      by Philip Siddons

 

                          QUICK QUIZ:

            WHO IS THE LARGEST EPSON BUSINESS CENTER

                       IN WESTERN NEW YORK

                 And the most fun to deal with?

 

Now if the bag man across the street were buying a computer and

printer, he'd have to know something about Epson hardware. He

would also want some assurance that the people he's dealing

with are OK sort of folks.  People who wouldn't turn him out or

question his credit because of his smelly clothing.  People who

wouldn't come to the conclusion that he may have been released

from a mental institution with a month's supply of Thorzine and

the name of his social worker.

 

Below the picture I'll put some clues.  The T-shirt commuters

look haggard.  They don't even have the energy to respond "Who

cares!"  They just want to be entertained.  And readers of the

ad would trust the fatigue on the faces of the drawing and say

to themselves: "OK, a quiz!  Gimme some clues." So I give some.

 

    CLUES:

 

    1. They (the full line Epson Computer & Printer Dealer")

        carry the fabulous Epson Equity line computers.

    2. They sell all of the fine quality Epson dot matrix and

        laser printers.

    3. They have a technical support crew who are second to

        none.

    4. They offer training courses and advanced consulting for

        most industry standard software applications.

    5. They have the friendly, competent, and accessible kind of

        people you've always wanted to deal with on a

        day-to-day basis.

 

Surely for all of the people hooked on detective novels which

demand that they recall clues, and those who thrive on

remembering facts for the Jeopardy game, or those who enjoy the

detail picking trivial games, a sense of suspense must be

mounting.  Obviously the people on the bus riding across my

T-shirt don't care who is the largest Epson computer and

printer dealer in their area, but the bus ride is so boring

that they're willing to find out just to take their mind off

the monotonous ride.

 

Across the street there is a woman giving something to her

daughter beside her.  Money.  The little girl walks over to the

bag man, handing him the change.  He doesn't attack.  He just

puts the money in his pocket.  The flow of pedestrians

continues.

 

Perhaps the bag man's headline and graphic is his own body

slouched on the sidewalk against Citycorp.  His visual captures

the paradox of the towering height of corporate architecture

and wealth with the plummeting poverty of a street derelict

without a home, a master card, or breakfast.

 

Which has arrived for me.  It gets put on the far side of the

table.  Computer warranties don't cover damage caused by spilt

coffee, Eggs Benedict, or Manhatten souffle'.

 

Playing on the driving need for an answer to a quiz question, I

next appropriately include:

 

ANSWER

 

Now answers to crossword puzzles and cereal box quizzes are

usually printed upside down at the bottom.  Tradition should

not be overlooked.

 

So I make a note to myself that when I return to my office, I

am going to scan our company logo upside down and place it at

the bottom of the ad.  I'll draw an arrow from the word

"ANSWER" to the inverted logo.  How many people will really

turn the ad in their paper upside down to find out the answer

to the quiz question?  Everyone, of course.  Anyone who has

identified with the people on the bus enough to read through

the clues to the quick quiz will have to know how this question

comes out.

 

This time a portly balding man comes over to the bag man and

hands him a few dollars.  Was the donor a former bag man?  Did

he work his way up from being a street person to chief

executive officer?  This street person's campaign seems to be working.  He

knows people are basically good.  They respond to human need.

They'll help him guy on the street.

 

Perhaps his audience will take thirty seconds of their life and

read my ad about Epson printers.  They'll buy them too.  No one

else has bothered to stretch their imagination across their

reading material to communicate about Epson computers and

printers.  But then there will be the bank ad, perhaps placed

above mine, with the cartoon figures of little people being

treated like big people at that bank.  But has anyone ever gone

into a bank and felt like a big person?  Certainly not the bag

man who is now urinating against the trash can which provided

his breakfast.

 

Why can't I have a page to myself, like this man has the

Citycorp building without competition from other derelicts?

 

My seminar starts in an hour and its up near Central Park.

Undoubtedly I'll pass by even more impoverished begging

campaigns.  I wonder where I can get myself a good pair of

jogging shoes?

 

--------------------------

Author's note: Philip Siddons is the director of advertising and

marketing for a Buffalo computer firm, and is the author of

"Speaking Our For Women" (Judson) as well as various magazine

articles.

  

  

6 (of 8) ENA EDITOR Oct. 18, 1987 at 16:51 Eastern (5096 characters)

  

ENA NETWEAVER   Volume 3, Number 10, Article 6   (October 1987)

 

                Electronic Democracy (Part I)

                      by Dave Hughes

 

[The following comments are part of a current discussion on

'electronic democracy' taking place on DCMETA.  Although many

others have responded, Dave Hughes has taken this opportunity to

share his rich experience. Through his comments we get a look at

a vibrant example of technology applied to politics.]

 

August 31

=========

 

Things are not just complex at state and national levels.

Having operated a free-dial-up computer system with a major

section devoted to public policy debate and politics with over

15,000 different individuals and over 70,000 calls to it over 5

years I am aware of how even among those already 'online' what

a relatively small proportion can/will take the time to get

into city or county matters - some of which are very complex.

 

*But* I also think that there can be a wholly new approach to

the concept of 'representative' governmnet. To put it

colorfully and metaphorically, we may be electing 'sysops' in

the future to represent us!!!!  The very thing that Arterton

[author of a recent study of 'electronic democracy'] cites as a

problem (those who set them [systems] up want to 'set the

agenda') is a subtle signal that the person who most may be

involved is the one who is at the center of the telecom system.

Think carefully of what a role even tv anchormen and radio talk

show hosts are playing in 'setting the agenda' for many a

national or local debate.

 

In my own case, I am astonished at how many people come to me

to represent them using my electronic political skills. Now I

am active (Issues Chairman) of the local Democratic Party, have

a rather conspicuous reputation for my use of telecom to

challenge elected officials using just a BBS approach, yet I

get called, dialed up, visited by 4 hard-rock Republicans in

town for every Democrat to help *them* in their political

cause. Its amazing. And when I am asked to run for a variety of

offices I respond, "I don't have to - I am able to get lots of

things done without sitting up there, trapped." And there is a

Republican once-office holder who has a counterpart system

across town (and feeds editorials into a local tv station) that

is in a similar position.

 

So I see the possibility of significant changes in the whole

question of democracy-in-action. One example from local TV,

which is backing into it. They have a digitized telephone

service "City Line" which they promote at every newscast.

Originally started as an ad-supported dial in for suich things

as stock quotes. Anyone with a touchtone can call voice, hit

the right keys, and get what they want in voice - free.

 

But increasingly at the 5 o'clock news they take some hot local

issue and invite the public to dial in and vote 'yep' or 'nope'

with their key pad, and put the result on the air at 10

o'clock. For a medium town to get several thousand 'votes'

recorded on almost every issue is amazing. But it also depends

of the on-air discussion which has taken place - always led by

press figures.

 

Let me tell ya! They may be called 'polls' but they are

influencing policy! And it is but a tiny step from neutral

'reporting' to editorial advocacy.

 

Cross over to 'legal' voting? Dunno. But when I start my

Electronic Mountain Town (with Teleport) you can be sure we will

experiment with all forms of such local 'government.'

 

Electronic Democracy may already be here, and we just don't

want to acknowledge it. Excuse me, I gotta log onto my own

system, three local journalists are going to me me there

tonight at *my* Electronic City Hall!

 

Footnote on Rereading - Arterton says 'cost a lot?' Sure a lot

of over-kill types set up these elaborate sessions with live

interactive television conferencing etc. My *very* effective

political BBS that I ran for 3+ years with 50,000 calls 26,000

messages from 8,500 people cost me $8.50 a month (phone line),

an hour a day to tend, about $250 worth of repairs over three

years, running on a $1,800 micro.

 

Ridiculously small amount for what it did. So little that I

have been able to make the case at the city and county that

this technology can be far cheaper than the way they are doing

it now!

 

That's why Colorado Springs is now looking into creating their

own 'Electronic City Hall'. And I still have that micro and

software! Anybody wanna buy a used system for $500?

 

September 1

===========

 

The new City Councilman I helped elect via city BBSs has gotton

the clearance from the City Attorney to discuss everything up

to 'quasi-judicial' matters online, so long as acess to the

discussion is open to all and free. Only question will arise if

*two* or more councilpersons come into the same discussion.

Then they gotta announce it in advance like other 'meetings' !

 

I will give you the one, obvious reason why Qube failed. It was

based upon everyone just being able to 'vote' on public issues.

The essense of politics is *discussion*, with the final vote a

kind of necessary, legal, ritual. Qube had the ritual without

the substance!

  

  

7 (of 8) ENA EDITOR Oct. 18, 1987 at 16:52 Eastern (4154 characters)

  

ENA NETWEAVER   Volume 3, Number 10, Article 7   (October 1987)

 

                Electronic Democracy (Part II)

                       by Dave Hughes

 

September 4

===========

 

Online *everybody* gets to say their piece - whether anyone

else takes heed or not. Unlike almost any public meeting I have

attended of any size with a conroversial subject. And the

ability to 'go back again' and pick up subtle points not

grasped the first time around (heh heh I just re-read *your*

comments carefully before responding.)

 

But there is another dimension to this question of 'apathy'.

And that is sheer modern 'complexity' of public issues.

 

Frankly, a lot of public matters are so horrendously complex

and requiring more than a smattering of math, science, cultural

expertise even to understand, that it is very hard for many

(most?) in the general population to participate intelligently.

Nuclear power, air traffic safety, automobile pollution (there

is a raging debate going on on my system right now - triggered

by State Representative Renny Fagan and State Air Quality

Control Commission Member Roland Gow - over the proposed

imposition of a requirement that all gas stations sell only

'oxygenated fuel'. Lots of the public is just bedazzled by the

subject. And I, and Renny Fagan were 'attacked' online today by

a caller for our ignornace of Organic Chemistry! Lemme tell ya.

It takes a little chutzpah to argue with a Chemical Engineer -

online or off!

 

September 5

===========

 

I happen to believe that we haven't begun to scratch the

surface of the possibilites of Electronic Democracy. Almost

every 'objection' to it can be met by either technical, or information

management techniques - *very* few of which have been tried.

And remember we ought to be measuring whether or not an

Electronic Political Process is better than the one we have

now, not just whether it approaches a 'perfect' (everybody

participates-everybody votes-evryone is represented) system.

For god knows  we have serious problems with the one we have

now, which has been intensified by the one-way-media form of

electronic debate. (which the FCC just helped along by removing

the requirement on TV to carry both sides of an issue)

 

No Sysop I know has ever set things up so that the caller can

put the Sysop (or its sponsors) through the '3d degree' before

committing themsleves to be in their 'data base.' Many is the

time I have dialed into a strange system, had all these

questions asked of me for 'registration' when I have no idea

whether I should 'trust' te sysop with my personal information

- government system or not! Sysops jsut assume that *they*

should be trusted, while grilling new users. And, with the

capbility of just about any micro/modem user (except those poor

backward souls who just use *dumb terminals* <ugh>

 

One can 'download' commitments, promises, answers given you by

a sysop, keep it, and take it to court with you if the need

ever arises. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act passed this

(last? - my how elecronic time flies) year gives users of

electronic means recourse at law for the misuse of ones

information entered into certain systems.

 

So maybe the time has come to set up 'government' BBSs so that

the new caller can - online - extract legal, binding,

commitments from the adminsitrators, or 'negotiate' what is

needed. Hey, Government, in the Electronic Age the burden will

be on *you* to prove to *me* you are worthy of my login!! Not

vice versa.

 

And it is far easier for government to determine

-electronically - that the caller is who they say they are and

have 'legal' standing (registered to vote, etc), than for the

individual to 'qualify' a government BBS. But quite possible at

both ends.

 

We just have to start thinking a-new about how to do this

within the framework of our political ideals and fundemental

system of government. Problem is that everyone has been making

the mistake futurists warn of - trying to linearly 'project'

the present methods into the future. The nation had to cope

with problems of high mobility, identification of voters in a

mobile society, absentee-voting (WWII), etc!

 

[continued next month!]

  

  

8 (of 8) ENA EDITOR Oct. 18, 1987 at 16:53 Eastern (1877 characters)

  

                        MEMBERSHIP FORM

 

 

              On April 14, 1985, at the closing of

     The First Intersystem Electronic Networking Symposium,

              a new organization came into being:

             the Electronic Networking Association.

 

The purpose of this association is

to promote electronic networking in ways that

 

                       ENRICH individuals

                     ENHANCE organizations

                 and BUILD global communities.

 

You are invited to become a member.

 

Please complete (download) the form below and _mail_ to:

Ed Yarrish, Treasurer

Electronic Networking Association

c/o Executive Technology Associates, Inc.

2744 Washington Street

Allentown, PA 18104

 

Enclose a check or money order made payable to the Electronic

Networking Association.

 

Be sure to include your network affiliations and online

addresses so that you can be informed of the location of

NETWEAVER and ENA activities on _your_ system.

 

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

                      ENA Membership Form

 

        NAME: _________________________________________________

 

ORGANIZATION: _________________________________________________

 

     ADDRESS: _________________________________________________

 

              _________________________________________________

 

 

    NETWORKS  _________________________________________________

      AND

    BULLETIN  _________________________________________________

     BOARDS

    (INCLUDE  _________________________________________________

     IDS, IF

   NECESSARY) _________________________________________________

 

 

Amount Enclosed:  _____________  ($50 - Professional membership

                                  $20 - General membership)

 

Is this a new membership? _________

 

Net or BBS where you received this form:  _____________________

 

 

Welcome!

 

  

 

ACTION on "NETWEAVER 3 TEN" 8 (of 8)==> (Next) 


-- 
Patt Haring                       UUCP:    ..cmcl2!phri!dasys1!patth
Big Electric Cat                  Compu$erve: 76566,2510
New York, NY, USA                 MCI Mail: 306-1255;  GEnie: PHaring
(212) 879-9031                    FidoNet Mail: 1:107/132 or 107/222