Computer networks have existed for over twenty-five years, and in that time they have gone from being a laboratory curiosity to a tool used by millions of people every day. The first networks were primarily used by scientists to access computers, share computer files and exchange electronic mail. In the last few years we have witnessed a democratization of the Internet; today this massive network connects not only the top research laboratories and universities, but also small colleges, small businesses, libraries, high schools and individual home personal computers as well. It is estimated that the traffic on the Internet has been increasing by about ten percent each month and that there are in excess of twenty million people with Internet access. The increasingly eclectic character of the Internet and its penetration into almost every corner of the globe have created a rich and sometimes unpredictable environment in which common interest and experiences are sometimes more important than the geopolitical and social boundaries that separate its users.
   There are, however, down sides to the flood of information on the Internet. The most blatant of these is the difficulty of simply finding items in the vast seas of available material. Another is that not all of the information on the Internet is of equal quality or value. Lacking any direction to the contrary, Internet newbies often resort to two approaches: they boldly send messages to others in an attempt to find a lead on where such information might be archived or discussed, or they simply "surf" around the 'net searching for clues as to the whereabouts of a potential source. These approaches are very inefficient and they use up valuable "bandwidth" on the Internet. Read! That's right, there are literally thousands of books, magazines, directories and manuals available to you which describe in amazing detail places of interest on the 'net and how to access them.
   The enormous surge of medi(ocre)a attention which has recently been directed at the Internet is largely sensationalism and hype. It hasn't been easy in the past for the average computer user to get on the 'net or to learn about it, and it can be intimidating. The media has employed numerous phrases to describe the Internet: Cyberspace, The Information Super- Highway, Cyberia, the Virtual Community, etc. The Internet is a tool and should be treated as such. Yes, it can provide entertainment, but it is intended to provide education and information. The people you meet in the 'net are just that -- people; proper "netiquette" should be used, as it is a global community.
   Many services are available which offer full or partial Internet access. You will need a computer and a modem to use them. For the casual user: America Online (800-827-6364), Compuserve (800-848-8990), GEnie (800-638-9636), and Delphi (800-695-4005). To get full access: Cybergate (800-NET-GATE), PSInet (800-516-8818) and Florida International University offers external accounts (305-348-2700). Some interesting books: The Internet Navigator, The Internet Directory, Internet for Dummies. Magazines: Wired, Online Access, Internet World, Internet Access, NetGuide. You can reach the author of this article at DataWurm@cyber.gate.net, Throng@aol.com, DataWurm@ec95.residence.gatech.edu.

-DataWurm, Vulture Staff

*Editor's Note: those email addresses are no longer valid.
This one works: jaredboo@scf-fs.usc.edu.