African studies computer resources By Patricia S. Kuntz Internet/Bitnet Internet and beyond: African The most common network systems through linkages out the world are Internet and Bitnet. Internet is growing in popularity with the various com patible networks such as NetNorth (Canada), he “information highway” is very busy Janet (United Kingdom), and EARN (Europe). T among Africanists around the world. Schol Nearly all U.S. universities and most colleges ars based in Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, purchase a connection to the Internet. This em Kenya, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, ployment benefit enables faculty, staff, and stu Zambia, and Zimbabwe with colleagues in the dents access to File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Americas, Europe, and Asia have coordinated Telnet, and UseNet. In contrast, Bitnet’s main conferences, written research papers, and feature is the automatic conversation lists called shared ideas on technology using one or more “Listserv.” One should not confuse the new of the four computer network services. software “Listserver” which is comparable for This essay focuses on African studies com the Internet. puter resources available in the U.S. with link ages to Africa. Four fundamental computer sys Electronic Mail tems exist: Intemet/Bitnet, Fidonet, UseNet, and Both Intemet/Bitnet networks provide electron BBS (dial-up bulletin board services). An up ic mail (e-mail) for sending public and private dated list of these network services is available messages. Messages from one network system from Arthur McGee.1 For a complete list of files, are tracked through gateways to other systems. contact: Internet-.<
[email protected]> Consequently, readers having only an Internet <amcgee®eis.calstate.edu> BDPA BAC: [1-707- or Bitnet address can still send and receive 552-3314] to [Arthur McGee]; Data Bits Online: messages to the other network.