Proposed computer service seeks incidental fees
By Scott Maben
Of the Kmerald
A proposed computer service
for the University would allow
students and faculty the oppor
tunity to engage in discussions
on philosophy or music, to get
information on intramural
sports or to sell a used car.
Campus Information Ex
change is a conferencing service
or “electronic bulletin board"
that will become available for
use April 17. provided it is
financed by the Incidental Fee
Committee, according to CIE
organizer Gary Wheaton, a
sophomore in Computer and In
formation Science.
Organizers of CIE hope to take
the proposal to the IFC on
Thursday with a special request
for $4,700 to operate the service
during an experimental phase
ending in June.
Students would be able to sit
down at a computer, on or off
campus, and join a variety of
discussions with other students
by typing comments on the
keyboard. Through these
“conferences,” users could ex
change ideas, organize
meetings, announce activities,
ask questions and debate topics
of interest.
Initially, conference topics
would cover 22 academic areas
and 16 University and student
programs. Several
miscellaneous services would
be offered as well, including
free classified advertising, an
events calendar, humor and
food sections, and a general
Do You Want Better Pictures And a Better Price?
I WE HAVE BOTH!
NEW! LOWER EVERYDAY PRICES
(Printed 3XS)
Mei E<e,*d8*
prices
For 4X6 Super
Prints^ add *1
tv
Disc Film
15 exposure
L4
Double Prints
Vout tacond itl ol pnnlt
•I tha time ol original
n»w roll da»alopmg
'••eh
135 mm
36 exposure
THE SHUTTERBUG IS THE PLACE!
890 East 13th Street
Across from the U of O Bookstore
342-FILM
referral category entitled “Help
Me!"
One also could leave a private
message in another’s computer
file or “electronic mailbox,’’
which is accessible by using a
personal password.
Membership would be
restricted to University
students, faculty, staff and
alumni.
Conferencing is used global*
ly, especially by universities.
Wheaton said. “I don’t know
why the University of Oregon
doesn't currently have open
conferencing for students. It's
large enough to have it. and it’s
got the facilities,” he said.
The Computing Center on
campus has the hardware and
software to operate CIE, as it
currently handles two specializ
ed conferencing services: "BB”
for information exchange on
computer topics and ”FF“ for
faculty only.
Wheaton said there are cur
rently hundreds of terminals
and computers linked to the
Computing Center for BB and
FF use, and estimates there may
be hundreds more on campus
that are not connected.
“There are terminals scat
tered all over campus that can
be used." Wheaton said. "Most
of them are only used by faculty
and CTFs.”
Included in the proposed
budget for CIE is the purchase of
four new terminals to be placed
in the EMU Computer Lounge
for free access to the conferenc
ing service. There are 20 Com
puting Center terminals that can
be used for conferencing.
However, a student also
could enter the system from a
home computer through a
p h o n e m o d e m , which
represents a source of entertain
ment as well as information ex
change. according to Wheaton,
who usually enters BB through
a home computer.
CIE also would lie accessible
from any Oregon State System
of I ligher Education campus, he
First Grade
Sixth Grade:
Twelfth Grade:
Freshman Yr.
College:
Later
"ft bp a* firm 4h,
xiutxiti ter l* kaffyoMrr^ lob o{ rtwniu .
I want to succeed in the business world.
xU,b>&&jtfrA4J&^UAUijAi/t tl C401.
T dovf if/MJ X III? 41) (UCoWoVc
SOMETIMES,
COLLEGE LIFE
CAN BE
ADDICTING...
but it doesn't have to be.
A possible alcohol or drug addiction pro
blem can be solved, but first you need
to understand it
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS
ARE AVAILABLE TO U Of 0
STUDENTS AT NO COST OR
OBLIGATION
it you or someone you care about
might have a drug or alcohol addiction
problem, you will have questions that
need to be answered
• When does drinking or drug use
become a problem?
• When is treatment needed?
• How do I help a friend who needs
treatment?
Calling or meeting with someone that
can answer your questions will either
ease your mind or be the first logical
step in solving a difficult problem.
Whichever one it is. it can only help.
Day or Night. Completely Confidential.
Call Lois or John at Serenity Lane.
TREATMENT CENTER
FOR ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE
PRIVATE NOT POO PROPfT
616 E. 16th (corner ot 16lh and Patterson)
(Only 2 blocks Irom campus )
687-1110
S SERENITY
said.
Wheaton believes the benefits
of computer conferencing are its
immediate and widespread ex
change of communication and
its broad range of subject
matter.
“It's very sophisticated, it's
easy to use. and it’s fun!"
Wheaton said.
GIF is being marketed as a
practical medium readily
available and relatively inex
pensive. “If you’ve got an hour
to blow, like between classes,
you can go down to the com
puter lounge and hop on.”
Wheaton said.
Professors could hold class
discussions through CIE,
representing still another use.
Wheaton added.
He expects debates on abor
tion. or creationism versus
evolution would draw par
ticular interest. “You could
have a debate among 500 peo
ple. and nobody could talk out
of turn.” Wheaton said, ex
plaining the program organizes
and posts messages in the order
that they are sent.
Each conference would be
regulated by its creator, whose
main task would be to watch for
offensive material and answer
questions when appropriate.
Conference content is stored
for about one month. Wheaton
said.
CIE’s major obstacle,
Wheaton said, is a lack of
knowledge about the benefits of
the service and what it will take
to get it going.
“The problem we’re having is
all the people who use con
ferencing say ‘Oh, it’s a cinch to
go. so 1 don’t need to put any of
my time in to make it go.’ The
people who've never used con
ferencing say I have no idea
what conferencing is. 1 feel fine
now. There’s no reason why I’ll
benefit from it.’ ” Wheaton
said. “It’s like trying to explain
the benefits of the telephone
shortly after it was invented.’’
Wheaton said funding for CIE
through student fees is crucial.
“There’s really no other way to
do it.”
The CIK program, called
COM, originated from Sweden
and was purchased by the Com
puting Center earlier for BB and
FF. The hulk of the 1FC funding,
if awarded, will pay
maintenance expenses for bas
ing CIK through the Computing
Center and will purchase the
four new terminals for the com
puter lounge.
If enough interest is shown,
he added, new and improved
CIE services will be available
next fall.
“We’re personally thinking
that before the end of this term
we should have about 1,000
students accessing CIK, provid
ed we get the funding,"
Wheaton said.
CIE organizers will present
details of the proposed service
and answer questions about CIK
and BB conferencing at a public
meeting in KM 1.1 Cedar Room F
at 7 p.m. tonight.
Great copies Great people
860 E. 13th 3AA-7BQA