JANUARY 1995
by Barry Stagg
THE INTERNET
The computer revolution and the days of instant global communication are upon us and rapidly surging ahead of many of us. The Internet which is basically a linking of large local computer networks world-wide has reached a stage of development where access for the average telephone line owner is possible and probably necessary. Freenets are local computer networks that offer Internet access as a community service usually in exchange for donations and the contribution of information to the network by users. Dialling in is as easy as a telephone call with a $50 modem ,$300 computer and about $100 for a communications program. The old 286 type IBM type computers or any Mac are ready to serve as network terminals to get you into screen- to-screen contact with systems and information from all around the country and the world.
Newfoundland is following in the ground-breaking path of New Brunswick in establishing province-wide government backed computer access .The Enterprise Network in Newfoundland holds to a mandate of providing an on-line service focused on business and economic development. The bottom line is that in Newfoundland with a minimum of computer equipment you can phone up the network and get access to current material on opportunities ,contacts and ideas just by harnessing that computer you gave the kids for Christmas five years ago. With just a very low-priced modem and a phone jack your youngster's computer is now a weapon in your battle with cathode-ray technology.
The beauty of the Internet is that with local access in outposts of Newfoundland such as Toronto or Ottawa you can "telnet" your way along the linked networks and get access to the public computer services available in Newfoundland. To get extended access of course, like any magazine subscription, you have to pay set fees. Newfoundland is on the cutting edge of public access computing in this regard and the more who know about it the better for all.
For the computer literate the Internet address for the Enterprise Network is: Customer_Service@porthole.entnet.nf.ca . Their voice line is 1-800-563-5008.Don't be shy about calling.