cruz@hpuxa.ircc.ohio-state.edu (Alex Cruz) (06/07/90)
A recently completed M.S. thesis is available from CAST, the Center for Advanced Study in Telecommunications, at the Ohio State University. The thesis is an evaluation of an Ohio public computer network for small and medium size companies. You can obtain a copy of the thesis by replying to this posting; by writing to CAST, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210; or by calling 614-292-8444. We are distributing it free of charge in the hope that you will pass it along to other readers and that you will give us feedback on the content. The thesis will also form the basis for a one-day symposium to be held in Columbus on Thursday, August 9. The rest of this posting is a background description for the symposium. ---------- Computer networks are proliferating. Some networks are supported by public funds for education and research purposes, for example, BITNET. Many small bulletin boards are privately run to serve the interest groups of hobbyists. Commercial networks, such as Compuserve, provide networks for business purposes for a fee, often quite large. Existing computer network do not address the business needs of small and medium sized companies. Since such companies often provide a great deal of employment and a great deal of growth in employment, but are often technologically behind larger companies, there are large opportunities to enhance economic development by providing various services to such companies. Services might include electronic mail, electronic file exchange, bulletin boards, and access to large computers. Development of such a network might be a suitable use of public funds. The State of Ohio might consider encouraging such a network as a way of aiding small and medium sized companies to grow and to convert to producing products needed in a peace economy. Several other states (and several countries in Europe) have started such networks. The next CAST symposium, tentatively scheduled for August 9 in Columbus, will address three questions concerning public computer networks for small and medium sized companies: what is, what could be and what should be. We anticipate having speakers on using telecommunications for economic development, on existing networks in Ohio, in other states, and perhaps in Europe, and on the State of Ohio's activities in economic development. Alex Cruz Jane Fraser