To reduce printing and mailing costs, sponsors are turning to electronic means to disseminate information. Eighteen months ago, many federal agencies created gopher sites on which files about their organizations and programs could be posted. The last six months have seen a dramatic proliferation of World Wide Web sites, in both the private and public sectors, to deliver such information. Because of its Ethernet network, Virginia Tech is better equipped than other universities to access such information resources. The web pages and listserver of the Research Opportunities Office Information System were designed and developed by Wendy Farkas, ROO director, who also posts information, maintains the pages, and administers the list.
Information is broadcast weekly via a web page and automatic e-mail delivery.
Hypertext in the web page bulletins links readers to full-text announcements, such as the Federal Register or Commerce Business Daily , proposal solicitations, or to sponsor sites for detailed information. Once located, the material may be printed, saved to disk, or e-mailed. Farkas says that while most of the material is in the public domain, nowhere is the access to it specifically arranged for the convenience of researchers and administrators. In addition to the web pages, Farkas established the ROO List, a distribution list designed to inform Virginia Tech subscribers about research opportunities via e-mail. The software is free and available for several operating systems.