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Show - - - . Laurie Albrechtsen Signpost features editor - r The latest sport for the com puter-crazed: "Surfing the net." Information about anything and the ability to be anyone or anything you desire are all are available through the Internet. With the home computer market showing a 40 percent rise in the last year, more and more people are entering the world of "Cyberspace." One of the latest estimates of Internet users put it around 50 million and as many as ' 2 million more a month, according to Utah Computing. No one is really sure just how big the network is, but in an article published in the spring issue of "Time" magazine it was estimated - to be around 40 million and growing.With new computer sales skyrocketing, most are equipped to connect to the super highway. Virtually all computer manufacturers are adding a package of pre-loaded software to comput-ers. Among the features offered is an access to the super highway. Software to connect to carriers and modems are one of the selling features of the new machines. It seems that everyone with a home computer is ready to start surfing the waves. Unfortunately, there is good as well as bad to the new sport. With the new information highway, practically anyone can find out practically anything. For ex-' ample, the ultimate in technology, or the latest playground for crime. In the eight-page story in the July 3, 1995, issue of "Time" magazine titled "On a Screen Near you: - Cyberporn," facts were presented to indicate pornography running wild on the Internet. Radical right-wing groups are calling for control of the information being made " available. The story started a firestorm that lead to an investigation of the Add Internet at home The Internet can be added to a home computer easily with a modem and an on-line service. Some services that offer free startup software packages and a free sign-up period are: America Online 1-800-533-5100 CompuServe 1-800-487-4838 Prodigy 1-800-776-3449 All the services offer the startup and a healthy collection of options to entice the computer enthusiast. L-J-J validity of the statistics presented in the article. Donna Hoffman and Thomas Novak of Vanderbilt University championed the assault. Hoffman had been consulted before the issue of "Time" went to press, but was unable to comment, because of exclusivity terms imposed by the Law Journal that prevented her from viewing the entire study. In the July 24, 1995, issue of "Time" magazine, the issue of Internet pornography is debated. Three weeks prior, the magazine issued a story with the main focus being on a new study conducted by Carnegie Mellon, "Marketing Pornography on the Information Superhighway." It was found after the publication of the article that the team of researchers headed by undergraduate Marry Rimm of Carnegie Mellon University had "grossly exaggerated the extent of pornography on the Internet by conflating findings fromadult-bulletin-board systems . . . with those from public networks." In the investigation into the study it was claimed that 83.5 percent of the images stored on the Usenet news groups are pornographic.Upon investigation, it was found less than one-half of one percent are pornographic. It is also noted by experts that it is impossible to know how many times an image is downloaded from the network, the system is only able to track how many times there is an opportunity to download an image. It is agreed that most of the users of the Internet are firm believers in First Amendment rights to freedom of speech. The distortion of facts and ethical violations to mislead the public on the network are being viewed as leading to a crackdown that could potentially violate those First Amendment rights. "Time" noted that the majority of "computer-wise citizens of L LJ Especially for kids . . . A list of Do's and Don'ts for computer on-line use NEVER... send your full name, school name, home address, phone number or photo to a stranger or post any of these in a public area NEVER... agree to meet in person anyone you met on-line unless a parent approves and comes along for the meeting in cyberspace tend to be strong civil libertarians and First Amendment absolutists. Some believe that Time, by publicizing the Rimm study, was contributing to a mood of popular hysteria . . . that might lead to a crackdown." The Internet has been blamed for many other injustices as well. One being the incidence of pedophiles gaining the trust of children on the network to gain personal information about them and thus victimize them. The offenders, pretending to be other children, "chat" with kids eventually getting the child to reveal personal information thinking it is going to a "pen pal." The on-line services used to connect to the Internet, offer parental controls to prevent this from happening. However, the only sure way to protect children is to educate them of the dangers and monitor their computer use. Some of the services offering access to the Internet are America Online, Prodigy and CompuServe. They are not only inexpensive, but easy to use as a connection. The creation of maps or tools to find places on the network are becoming more popular. The "Web" is one of the ways of navigating the confusing flood of information available. It is possible for "information junkies to spend countless hours wandering from one server to the next 'just to see what is out there'," Utah Computing notes. The upside to the entire debate is not only the vast amounts of information available, but the resources such as the Ednet, education on-line. It is possible for a user to use the network to do a wide range of things from taking classes, studying for the GED, GRE or others, such as an IQ test. a safe, public, neutral place NEVER... answer questions or engage in conversations thatmake you feel uncomfortable DO . . . express your opinions and ask questions DO... leave any room where you The most popular feature of the Internet is the E-mail system. It is possible for anyone to theoretically talk to anyone else in the world through E-mail. The newest system from Microsoft Corp., Windows '95 has a built in E-mail system. The system's Internet access is highly controversial and subject to several anti-trust lawsuits. Weber State University uses the E-mail feature for greater communication between students, faculty and administration. The top selling features for all computer systems in the local area is CD ROM and the capability to connect to Internet through an online system. One local sales repre- ...the ultimate in safe sex. You can have any fantasy identity you want and all you need is someone to play along. Craig Norton, a computer design engineer regarding the "chat rooms" found on many on-line networks. sentative said, "If it doesn't have an access to Internet included and a CD ROM, then it isn't a computer. Basically, all computers have a package that comes with it. The better the package and the more storage, the better." Experts in the computer field agree that to fully enjoy the online experience, an additional telephone line is recommended. In some cases the call waiting feature on the telephone can disengage the connection or by disconnecting the call waiting, can cause frustration on the part of friends and family trying to reach the feel uncomfortable DO... tell your parents about any strange people, questions or conversations you encounterSOURCE... The America Online Guide to Multimedia Online Internet junkie. Another part of the network is the areas commonly referred to as "chat rooms." In a chat room a person can be anyone they want to be. Craig Norton, a computer design engineer describes the chat rooms as "the ultimate in safe sex. You can have any fantasy identity you want and all you need is someone to play along." "I have heard of children running away from home to meet people they have met on on-line services, as well as incidents of on-line acquaintances dropping in for an unexpected visi t," WSU student, Taylor Fielding, said. The Internet and on-line ser- vices offer a wide range of services to thecomputer-crazed public. The resources arc endless. In addition to all the information available, there is the ability to make reservations for flights, order flowers and even several grocers in Utah take orders via modem, according to Utah Computing.Most magazines, companies, educational and political organizations are soliciting comments from consumers, product information, political viewpoints and subscription opportunities through the Internet. |