From: LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.BITNET (Public-Access Computer Systems Forum)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l
Subject: Settling of the Internet
Date: 15 Oct 92 21:23:37 GMT
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU

2 Messages, 95 Lines
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Subject:     Settling of the Internet
From:    Gary Lawrence     ACAGSL @ UCCVMA     (510) 987-9461

The latest posting by Claudia Lynch <AS04@UNTVM1> on this topic (Fri, 09 Oct
92 11:31:44 PDT) contains a marvellously suggestive metaphor for the
development of information services on the Internet:

>Making money is, certainly, not inherently bad, but it can be if it
>gets out of hand. I guess I don't really see the difference, except in
>your wallet, of being told "ftp to site xyz and get this really neat
>document" and "go to BDALTON and buy this really neat document that used
>to be free but now costs $35." Both sets of instructions may require
>clarification " you need to type ftp ftp ... and then type anonymous ..."
>or "take 35E north until the xyz exit, take a left, etc." Continuing the
>analogy, once you learn how to ftp documents you can do it quite handily,
>even if you need to keep a "cheat sheet" with you. Once you learn the
>way to get to BDALTON you can pretty much go whenever you want to,
>although you may need to hold on to your instructions. If someone drew
>you a map, you may have to remember the "arcane" rule of mapmaking that
>puts North at the top of the paper...

Shucks, I don't need a MAP to find my local B. Dalton, I know just where it is
-- the nearest regional mall. If I were new in town, I reckon I'd need some
guidance, but after five years in my current residence, I think I know my way
around fairly well. If I need something unusual (say, an exact replacement for
a broken glass shade for a Victorian light fixture), I'll have to resort to
some established finding aids (e.g. the Yellow Pages) or seek expert advice,
and I may need directions to the dusty, obscure antique shop that I finally
locate to fill this need, but for most things, the retail distribution system
is reasonably well organized to permit me to find what I want without too much
hunting. (An aside related to the recent thread on "catalog incompatibility":
the retail system seems to accomplish this with a minimum of standardization
-- I've yet to find two Safeway stores with identical shelf arrangements.)

So might there be something to learn about the development of Internet
resources by considering the evolution of the retail production and
distribution system, from community barter arrangements through the local
general store (does the library serve this function in some ways?) to the
development of self-service retailing, retail specialization and multi-channel
marketing and distribution? Darned if I know, but it might be fun to explore
for a while. So: "Attention, I-Mart shoppers...."

Gary S. Lawrence                       +      (510) 987-9461
Coordinator, Library Affairs           + FAX: (510) 987-9456
University of California               +
Office of the President                + ACAGSL@UCCVMA.bitnet
300 Lakeside Drive, 18th Floor         + ACAGSL@UCCVMA.ucop.edu
Oakland, CA 94612-3550                 +
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From:         Ed Cherry <CECHERRY@SAMFORD>
Subject:      Re: Settling of the Internet

This idea of settling the Internet seems to be true mostly on a very
personal level.  As each individual becomes more comfortable or familiar
with the territory, s/he may (somewhat self-centeredly) assume that the
entire world has become settled.  Unless some drastic change occurs
(such as the development of a virtual road atlas to the Internet,
complete with rest stops and information and welcome centers.) (Wow!
Who wants to take that metaphor and run with it?  I suppose librarians
will be the AAA of the cyberworld, ready to map out the quickest and the
most scenic routes...) everyone enters the world as a pioneer, and
eventually either packs it all in and returns "home" or becomes a
settler.  (Unless, of course they are merely "tourists," visiting all
the exotic locales they hear or read about, but without any intention
of putting down stakes.)

<candle on>

On a related issue, it distresses me that so many members of this
list tend to dichotomize (sounds like Haig-speak, but Webster tells
me it's okay.) the world:  pioneers v. settlers, print v. electronic
books, print v. CD-ROM v. locally-mounted v. net-accessible indexes
(hmmm, a trichotomy plus one!), etc.  Rarely are such issues decided
on one or another side, but instead arriving at a workable solution
that combines both (or all) sides.  It's the information provider's
job to decide which is most appropriate, depending on a number of
factors, including cost, potential benefit, the customers' preference,
and a host of other considerations.  That's what makes our jobs so fun!
(And, I might add, part of what will make our skills valuable
regardless of the eventual shape(s) of libraries and the net(s).)

<candle off>

*  Ed Cherry                       *                                   *
*  Automation Librarian            *  Phone:    (205) 870-2506         *
*  Harwell G. Davis Library        *  Fax:      (205) 870-2642         *
*  Samford University              *  Bitnet:   cecherry@samford       *
*  Birmingham, AL  35229-7008      *                                   *

There are two kinds of people in the world:  Those who divide the world
into two groups; and those who don't.