UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER
Global Computer Networking (review)

Global Computer Networking (review)

GLOBAL COMPUTER NETWORKING ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

This file contains a more detailed description of the following book, not the text of the book: THE WORLD AT YOUR KEYBOARD; AN ALTERNATIVE GUIDE TO GLOBAL COMPUTER NETWORKING

Burkhard Luber

Many thousands of people around the world use their home computers to make contact with other people, often thousands of miles away, who share their leisure or other interests. Millions more could do the same, given a few words of advice and the purchase of the necessary modem. Written in simple, jargon-free language this book contains all the information a computer owner needs to gain access to this alternative world of open communication.

The author describes the history of the world's two biggest networks that are dedicated to uncensored communication of information on environmental, peace, development and other political issues. GreeNet is based in London, PeaceNet in California, but both can be accessed from anywhere in the world. There is simple advice on how to use the networks, how to send and receive electronic mail and how to participate in the numerous 'confrences'. A number of useful 'scripts' are included (no technical knowledge needed!) to help the reader make the most efficient and economical use of the service.

To illustrate how practical and useful computer networking can be, Burkhard Luber takes actual illustrations from his own work in peace research. The reader sits by his desk and watches Dr. Luber read his incoming mail, communicate with people in the Baltic states as the Russian troops mive in, exchange information with an Australian about US spy-satellite facilities in Australia and Germany, and check through a number of conferences for new contributions. Included is an up-to-date list of 'bulletin boards' in Russia, so that the readers can have direct access to people and information there.

Contents:

Acknowledgements - Abbreviations 1 Electronic networking and mailing: setting the terms of reference 2 The history of PeaceNet and GreenNet 3 The profile of the Network 4 At the heart of the network: inside the conferences 5 Thirty minutes on-line 6 Peace work: making connections 7 Electronic breaches in the barricades 8 Participating in the electronic communications culture Appendix 1 Using the Network more effectively Appendix 2 Useful adresses Appendix 3 Useful publications Appendix 4 Abouth the Threshold Foundation

The author:

Dr. Burkhard Luber has degrees in political science, history and English from the universities of Frankfurt and Giessen, and the Certificate in American Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently Director of the Threshold Foundation at Bremen, Germany. He lectures throughout Eastern Europe and the US on disarmament and peace research and is visiting professor at the University of Riga. He is founder and editor of the Transcontinental Peace Newsletter, a quaterly journal of peace research. Dr. Luber's previous books include one in English. When Trees Become the Enemy: The Military Use of Defoliants (New York, 1990). First published 1993 by Jon Carpenter Publishing, PO Box 129, Oxford OX1 4PH. Trade distribution in the UK and Europe: Central Books, 99 Wallis Road, London E9 5LN. Mail order: please add p&p and send your order to Jon Carpenter Publishing at the address above. 7.99 paperback 160pp

Burkhard Luber's fax: (49+)-4293-1337 / Electronic mail address: B.Luber@Bionic.Zer.De


Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
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