Connectivity Providers Database

From: Steven G Huter <sghuter@darkwing.uoregon.edu> To: randy bush <randy@psg.com> Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 12:00:24 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- From: "Gregory C. Gugel" <GG1121A@american.edu> cc: Gregory Gugel <sbgg@igc.apc.org> The University of Namibia International Academic Communication A Course prepared expressly for The University of Namibia by Gregory Gugel Course Overview The Internet, a meta-network of worldwide computer networks, promises to be a valuable tool to be used by developing countries, such as The Republic of Namibia, to bridge the information gap between the North and the South. The Internet remains but a promising tool because developing states, for the most part, have limited resources, in both equipment and expertise, to take full advantage of the opportunities which the Internet offers. You, as students of international academic communications, will lead Namibia into the forefront of states which are able to utilize the full capacity of the emerging "information superhighway." Access to the Internet (International Network) provides access to a world of information...more information than the university's library (or any other library) could ever hope to amass on its own. Access to this information is generally free. One needs only to tap into the expanding network of information-processing computers which are tied to one another to form the Internet. Students and scholars now have unprecedented access to information resources. You can now communicate electronically--and work interactively--with your counterparts around the world. You can search for and capture important information useful in research and study. You can also become one of the new breed of academic "internauts," cruising cyberspace in search of scholarly treasure. Namibia, and Namibians, have access to the Internet through the University's Computer Sciences Department, via a South African gateway--a mainframe computer directly tied to the network of such computers, which in turn make up the Internet. Please do not be intimidated by the unique computer terminology which is used throughout this syllabus; by the end of the course you will have mastered it well. Access to the world of information presented to developing countries by the Internet makes possible the acquisition and use of information otherwise beyond the reach of such countries. As such, the Internet will surely become a valuable tool for you, and others like you, in confronting the obstacles to nation-building in Namibia. However, one must also always remain vigilant to the dangers engendered by this resource. While international Internet access will surely decrease the information gap between Namibia and the West, such progress will not come without a cost. The greatest apparent danger is domestic informational stratification. That is to say that some Namibians, such as yourselves, will enjoy the full benefits of this emerging technology; however, others will, for numerous reasons, be left behind. Perhaps they will lack the equipment, facilities or knowledge to access this wealth of information on the Internet. Maybe their ignorance of the Internet's existence will hinder them. We, as students and teachers, must assist such people in whatever ways possible, to insure that they too will benefit from this important tool. I therefore request that students enrolled in this class pledge not to be selfish with the knowledge they gain here; but rather, to share it with as many people as is possible (students will be expected to spend one weekend helping to train area high-school students in the use of Internet tools). In this course, you will learn all existing Internet tools. Plus, you will dive deeply into dozens of important Internet systems such as the Institute for Global Communication (via SangoNet in South Africa), global libraries (British Library, University of California), electronic books (Project Gutenberg), and other strange-sounding information technologies (Gopher, Veronica, Archie, Listservs, InfoPop, MOSAIC, etc.). You will learn basic skills such as the exchange of e-mail, conferencing, and electronic transfer of documents, as well as more advanced skills such as remote searching of library catalogues, use of electronic data-bases, access to electronic journals, use of newsgroups and conferences, picture-and-sound applications, and interactive ("real-time") conversations. You will also read state- of-the-art literature about the implications of these new technologies as well as about the growth of international academic communication. Required Books All reading materials required for this course are available on-line--and free of charge--on the Internet. As information on the Internet is constantly updated, reading selections will be very current. These materials will be obtained via FTP (File Transfer Protocol--we'll learn more about that later), and will include the following articles, to name a few (students will be encouraged to customize their readings to their particular interests as the term progresses): "History of the Net." - Henry Hardy "What is the Internet?" - Ed Krol "New Internet Users' Questions and Answers." - Network Working Group. "Internet Services FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)." - Kevin Savetz "List of Internet Resources." - Scott Yarnoff Course Requirements and Grades Class Participation (15%): The joy of computer networking is in its interactivity. In this course, we will work closely together--in the classroom and on-line. Everyone is expected to share experiences, information and skills. For example, students with greater computer experience can help those with less initial hands-on skill. In-Class Electronic "Pop Quizzes" and Scavenger Hunts (10%): Occasionally, students will be given short lists of questions, the answers to which can be found using various Internet tools. Students will "navigate" the Internet, looking for the answers. This is an effective (and fun) way to get "hands-on" experience using the resources of the Internet. Development of a Personal Resource Manual (30%): We are privileged to be here at the University of Namibia. We cannot forget one of its paramount missions--to assist in building a stronger republic for all of us. It is for this reason that I am strongly advocating giving back to the community some of the knowledge which you acquire here. The development of a Personal Resource Manual--comprised of information freely available on the Internet--will give you a valuable tool for doing so. It is all of you who will be responsible to ensure that the domestic information gap narrows in Namibia. Decisions pertaining to the actual structure of the Personal Resource Manual will be left to the individual student. Students should consider their own particular strengths and interests. Creativity is especially encouraged. Windhoek-area High Schools Internet Weekend (15%): Arrangements will be made to both host area high school students at UNAM, and to journey to area high schools, to train students in the basic concepts and uses of the Internet. We will stress electronic mail functions of the Internet, and assist students in "meeting" e- mail pen-pals from throughout the world. The greatest potential for a widening of the information gap within Namibian society is between urban (namely Windhoek) and rural areas. Anyone journeying outside of the Windhoek area during the course of the term who would like to carry out their "Internet Weekend" project in the rural areas is especially encouraged to do so. Where there are no adequate facilities or equipment available, we will endeavor to provide them. "Paperless" Term Project (30%): In consultation with the instructor, you will write a "paperless" term paper or project. You should use on-line resources and documents in preparing this assignment. You should use the following topic suggestions as a general guideline. Once again, I encourage students to focus on their particular areas of interest. Your projects will be used in teaching future students here at the University of Namibia. Suggested topics are: The International Information Gap, and its implications for Namibia. Internet and Africa--A Tool for Greater African Unity? An Encyclopedia of Namibian Internet Resources. Conceptual Teaching of Internet Resources to New Computer Users. The Domestic (Urban/Rural) Information Gap, and its implications for Namibia. The Internet as a Teaching Tool in Namibian High Schools. Remember, these are only suggested guidelines. Please contact the instructor if you have an idea for other useful projects. __--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--_ _--_____ ( "------====## Republic of| Gregory Gugel Namibia | <gg1121a@american.edu> ------------- | -------------------- ) + _| Adjunct Professor / Windhoek| Assistant Professor School of Int'l Service | | Department of Political Science The American University | The University of Namibia (UNAM) Washington, DC 20016-8071 __^i___| Private Bag 13301 United States of America Windhoek, Republic of Namibia --__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__--__-