Re: E-Scouting Newsletter
alan houser (houser@CEDR.LBL.GOV)
Fri, 24 Jun 1994 15:38:29 PDT
For those of you who have not yet experienced the World Wide Web (yet another
WWW !!!), it is very easy and intuitive -- once you get onto it. There are
two major interfaces available - Mosaic (graphic - Mac, Windows, XWindows) &
Lynx (text, line-oriented). Of course the graphical interface is much richer
because it allows pictures (including photographs) and sound (!!!!).
The World Wide Web is the best current example of the "information superhighway"
because it allows resources to be made available worldwide from anywhere on
the InterNet, and resources can be cross-linked as well. Those of you who
are familiar with hypertext already know all you need to get started once you
have figured out how to get into the WWW.
I have read recently that some of the commercial on-line services have started
adding full access to WWW, including Mosaic, so the others will probably
follow quickly. I believe that most educational institutions (university level)
probably already have access, and even some elementary classrooms have put up
their own "home pages" -- sort of like a combination billboard (we are here)
and table of contents (here's what we can do).
A couple of examples:
Explorer Post 6398 in Chicago has put up their own home page, with links to
their activities calendar and listings of their members and advisors (with
photos). If you are involved with a moderately sized unit with a good
program (e.g., one campout a month, plus patrol outings, Order of the Arrow,
District activities, training opportunities, etc.), try keeping your calendar
up to date. Mine is usually out-of-date by the time the copier has finished
making 30 copies, one for each family. Imagine how useful it would be if
people could simply look it up whenever they have a question. Imagine at a
District or Council level, if each unit were to post a calendar of outings
with a description of the place and how to make reservations. To find a
new place to go camping, your SPL could browse through the interesting places
other troops had gone recently.
Another example:
WWW offers me access to rec.scouting without having to use a news reader.
All of the postings are identified by subject AND SENDER. Imagine how
easy it is to avoid having to read MJD's latest ramblings.
As I mentioned above, most universities have home pages on the Web, and
many federal agencies and commercial sites also have home pages. There is
a home page for USGS, which allows you to order maps and other publications.
There are numerous conservation-oriented home pages, plus the "Backcountry
Home Page" (mainly Colorado so far) and the "Speleology Server Home Page"
(includes some downloadable clipart - view it before you download it!) and
actual photographs taken in various caves).
I seem to have run on, so I apologize for using up bandwidth here, but
try it, you'll like it!
Alan R. Houser
Scoutmaster, Berkeley Troop 24
arhouser@lbl.gov
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
