Computer Meditated Communication (CMC): Both the physical layer where the work takes place in the human/computer interface and the applications that are then possible, both technological and psychological in the discovery, search, and retrieval of information.
These are but two facets of an additional way of viewing and interacting with the world around us. By taking advantage of technology for individual and group enrichment (business and social), we can become more knowledgeable and adept in our business and personal endeavors. Thanks to the Internet and the ubiquity of personal computers, those business and social groups can potentially expand to encompass the globe.
The Internet covers over 75% of the inhabitable land mass of the planet earth, and 100% coverage is envisioned by all but a few petty dictators. If you're in the U.S., for about $30 per month--the price of a basic Internet account and a phone line (which you may already have :-)--a world of opportunities in information retrieval, production, marketing, and just plain socializing can be at your fingertips.
In this column I will be exploring the possibilities that networks, and the global Internet in particular, present to us as individuals and as a species. I'll report on interesting places to explore in CyberSpace, applications that can be used for business and personal needs, the social and psycholoical impact of CyberSpace and CMC, and cover reports and trends from the industry that makes all this possible.
The Berkeley chapter of the Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, in "A Computer and Information Technologies Platform" (ftp://ftp.eff.org/pub/Net_info/Cyber/cpsr-berkeley-platform) in referring to the pervasiveness of information and computer technologies states, "...their development and deployment remains unruly, undemocratic and unconcerned with the basic needs of humanity." I think the Internet--and by extension, CyberSpace--addresses those concerns by putting people and businesses on more of a peer level in giving voice to concerns and access to information. In using CMC to help make informed decisions you can further empower yourself. It is my sincere hope that this column proves useful to you over the coming weeks in your utilization of the Internet.
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Questions or comments about these Web pages? Send e-mail to
dave@reststop.net