A model for a U.S. high-tech network? Try Iowa

Article Abstract:

Pres Clinton should have visited Iowa instead of the Silicon Valley to publicize his proposal to construct an information superhighway system using federal funds. For just such a public communications network is nearing completion there and already brings college courses to remote corners of the State through two-way television connections. The State of Iowa owns the network, having awarded a $73.7 million contract to MFS Network Technologies to build it in 1990. Already in the ground are 2,200 miles of a planned 2,800 mile fiber-optic backbone network that will connect all 99 Iowa counties to the State's three universities, 11 private colleges, 15 community colleges, eight public television stations and every important state government office. Besides educational connections, other planned applications include voice, video and data teleconferencing among state agencies and electronic interlibrary loan, voter registration and lottery ticket sales.

Communications equipment, not elsewhere classified, Measuring & controlling devices, not elsewhere classified, Telecommunications equipment industry, Telecommunications systems, Contracts, Design and construction, Education, Iowa, Fiber optics, State government, Wide area networks, Systems development, Implementation, System Development, Communications Applications, Future Technologies, Government Contracts, WAN, MFS Network Technologies Inc.

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Toward defining free speech in the computer age

Article Abstract:

Two recent disputes involving Prodigy and CompuServe information services highlight social, legal and ethical issues emerging in the industry. The Anti Defamation League of B'nai B'rith accused Prodigy Services Co of fostering anti-Semitism by not censoring hate messages on its electronic bulletin board. Prodigy, which screens messages and has been criticized for censorship, at first dismissed the league's complaint, then expanded its definition to cover remarks 'grossly repugnant to community standards.' In a separate incident, a federal judge ruled that CompuServe Inc is not liable for material that an independent newsletter distributed on its network. The judge likened CompuServe to a library, bookstore or news distributor that has no control over editorial content.

Information retrieval services, Courts, Social aspects, Cases, Social policy, Information services, Social conditions, Discrimination, Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, Legal Issues, Social Issue, Court Cases, Bulletin Board, Bulletin board services (BBS), Computer bulletin boards, Prodigy (Videotex system), Prodigy Services Co., CompuServe Corp.

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