This text explores the shape of the partnerships between cable, TV, entertainment and multi-media companies, and how they lower entry fees, consolidate technologies and influence regulatory structure.

Describes how students are being exposed to a commercialized version of the Internet and includes information on how to develop noncommercial resources.

Fred Cohen moves from one case study to another, chronicling how vunerable our information systems truly are. From military information to banking transfers to clandestine virus attacks on the Internet, Cohen outlines the challenges of maintaining security online and offers practical solutions that must be taken to manage critical security problems in the future.

Discusses: (1) managing the transition to a more competitive local telecommunications marketplace, (2) ensuring universal service in a competitive marketplace, and (3) ensuring network security, privacy, reliability, and interoperability. Charts and tables

This report discusses the growth of the National Information Infrastructure (NII), or the information superhighway, and its implications for people with disabilities. Advantages for people with disabilities include: increasing the ability of individuals with some types of disabilities to access and use information; decreasing personal isolation due to mobility and communication restrictions; allowing individuals to interact with others in a way that makes their disability invisible or irrelevant; and allowing convenient access to educational and medical services. The barriers to the NII include: socioeconomic barriers; the complexity in the design of many products; the use of graphic interfaces; the use of touchscreens and pointing interfaces where alternate input techniques are not available; virtual environments; sound; animation and interactive systems; and the sealed nature of public systems that must have built-in access accommodations if they are to be made accessible. The report makes recommendations on how facets of the NII can be modified to allow greater access by those with disabilities and strategies that can be used to achieve changes. A list of 17 additional readings is included. An appendix describes the mission of the National Council on Disability. (CR)

This book analyzes the expanding crime opportunities created by the Internet and e-commerce, and it explains how concepts of crime prevention developed in other contexts can be effectively applied in this new environment. The authors note that the Internet and associated e-commerce constitute a lawless "wild frontier" where users of the Internet can anonymously exploit and victimize other users without a high risk of being detected, arrested, prosecuted, and punished. For acquisitive criminals who seek to gain money by stealing it from others, e-commerce through the Internet enables them to "hack" their way into bank records and transfer funds for their own enrichment. Computer programs that are readily available for download on the Web can be used to scan the Web for individual computers that are vulnerable to attack. By using the Internet addresses of other users or using another person's or organization's computers or computing environment, criminals can hide their trails and escape detection. After identifying the multiple opportunities for crime in the world of e-commerce, the book describes specific steps that can be taken to prevent e-commerce crime at particular points of vulnerability. The authors explain how two aspects of situational crime prevention can prevent Internet crime. This involves both a targeting of individual vulnerabilities and a broad approach that requires partnerships in producing changes and modifications that can reduce or eliminate criminal opportunities. The authors apply the 16 techniques of situational crime prevention to the points of vulnerability of the e-commerce system. The points of vulnerability are identified and preventive measures are proposed. In discussing the broad approach of institutionalized and systemic efforts to police e-commerce, the book focuses on ways to increase the risks of detection and sanctions for crime without undue intrusions on the freedom and privacy of legitimate Internet and e-commerce users.

Currently, little is known about library experience and success in providing Internet-based services to library patrons. Some studies conducted in the United States indicate that this is an area of great uncertainty, into which libraries are hesitant to venture. Issues such as planning, budgeting and costs, and types of services are some of the areas of concern. World Libraries on the Information Superhighway: Preparing for the Challenges of the New Millennium explores issues of Internet-based services in libraries and provides practitioners and educators with examples of libraries that have achieved success in this important emerging information area.