Only a few people attended but we exchanged information on our experiences and the potential of communications using computers and modems. Monica explained how email had helped the organisers of the conference. Using a computer and a modem to transmit information over telephone lines is much quicker and more reliable than using postal services. But unlike telephoning one does not need to worry about time zones or language and it is much cheaper. It made communicating with the United States quick and easy and communication with Russia possible.
Fax has similar advantages but a modem and email are more flexible.
All sorts of information can be transmitted and accessed. The Internet, a global network of interconnected computers, makes it possible to look at publicly available information - it's like being able to walk into a public library. And like a big library, there is lots of material available and it can be confusing or difficult to find the relevant information. There are various software tools to enable one to browse, surf or search for specific information. Many organisations have their own Web sites on which they publish details of their activities and copies of their publications.