Similarly, the advent of the World Wide Web, hypertext, electronic archives, and communication via email and discussion groups have provided increased opportunities for the academic in the discipline of English Literature. 2 Electronic Texts Collections of text and corpora have existed in electronic format for some time. It contains a complete 'one-stop shop' to textual information. Such flexibility is not possible with alternative forms that may offer identical information but in a non-electronic format. All of these activities are potentially valuable for both teaching and research purposes.
Some services are free at point of use, whilst others are by subscription.
However, not all the academics in the discipline of English will use the Internet for their daily work. Many have grown used to the familiar services and sources that are available locally, such as the library or the telephone. An intermediary in the library or a departmental colleague is often the preferred route of enquiry, as is the reliable, authoritative printed format. The popularity of the Internet as a communications medium is evident from the growing numbers of news groups and mailing lists that have surfaced over the last few years. These electronic groups and lists help the academic who has a query or who requests advice on a scholarly issue that relates to teaching or research.