From: junko@amulet.co.jp (Junko Yoshimura) Newsgroups: tnn.interv-e Subject: VCOM NewsLetter Vol.1 No.7 Followup-To: tnn.interv-e Date: 01 Nov 1995 23:02:17 GMT Organization: Amuletware Co., Tokyo, Japan. Distribution: world NNTP-Posting-Host: mohair.amulet.co.jp Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-2022-JP ******************************************* VCOM NEWSLETTER Vol.1, No.7 Oct.28, 1995 ******************************************* Since its inauguration in May of 1995, VCOM organization has been trying to finalize the specific plan of VCOM project in its initial year. The picture of the first year plan has been largely drawn and we shall present it in this newsletter. Here, the first year refers to the period between May of 1995 and March of 1996. VCOM project is to be continued at least for three years. ☆VCOM and InterVnet VCOM is a research project conducted by a group headed by Prof. Kaneko at Keio University SFC (Shonan-Fujisawa Campus) to develop "information communities" of various kinds based on the Internet and InterVnet. Here, an information community refers to a heterogeneous group of people which is formed spontaneously through exchanging information and through sharing a certain interest and concern about life and society. InterVnet is an Internet based information network formed and run by Prof. Kaneko and others which makes it possible for various PC networks to share information. Right now, InterVnet connects most of the commercial PC networks in Japan. InterVnet can be accessible by more than three and a half million PC users in Japan. Activities of VCOM implies information dissemination to all these people connected to some PC network in Japan, and a lot more through the Internet. VCOM provides a potentially huge and practical way of constructing multi-media information communities. InterVnet was formed originally by Prof. Kaneko and a few other volunteers to establish a citizen's network for assisting and supporting the victims of the Great Kobe Earthquake. In May of 1995, VCOM project was inaugurated and in the process, the scope of the network was expanded to NGO and NPO activities in general. Since then, InterVnet has been maintained and operated as a part of the research activities of VCOM. ☆The Purpose of VCOM VCOM's purpose is to promote and develop "information communities" of various kinds and sizes using the Internet and InterVnet, and thereby, providing models for promotion of a "diverse society." Three key concepts of VCOM are: - - voluntary networks - - sharing socially meaningful information - - new social systems with voluntary participation of citizens VCOM deals mainly with mostly voluntary activities. However, voluntary actions constitute an important factor in the information society to come. Therefore, research results coming out of VCOM project are expected to have valuable suggestions concerning business management or running a local government. ☆VCOM's Research Activities There are three categories of activities to be carried out in the VCOM project as follows. VCOM symposium which was originally planned is postponed until next year. --- Operation and maintenance of InterVnet host system --- Consensus formation concerning use of information on InterVnet --- Case projects ☆InterVnet Host System Operation and Maintenance At Suehiro House (an NPO founded by Professor Kaneko), there are several SUN workstations donated by Japan SUN Micro Systems, and dedicated INS communication cables provided free of charge by IIJ (Internet Initiatives Japan). Through these, IP access to the Internet is available. At this site archives of relevant netnews are maintained. The InterVnet host system operations also offers internet services to support the execution of VCOM case projects. The services include issuing personal internet addresses, maintenance of mailing lists, dial-up internet connection, WWW servers, and information retrieval services using WAIS. ☆Consensus Formation Concerning Use of Information on InterVnet VCOM offers several 'platforms' on which various members discuss use of information in InterVnet so that certain consensus will be formed. The "BBS Council" with delegates from each of the commercially based BBSs (PC networks) is formed to discuss what kind of information is to be shared on InterVnet and also discuss how to make InterVnet more user-friendly. The "AUP Council" will discuss the "Netiquette" on InterVnet and right of usage of information on InterVnet. In addition, a "User Conference Room" is formed so that users in general of InterVnet may can post comments or requests freely regarding the InterVnet. ☆VCOM Case Projects A case project is an experiment or a proto type model for establishing and developing what we refer to as information communities of various kinds and sizes. As of October of 1995, the following projects classified into three groups are recognized as the official VCOM Case Projects by the VCOM steering committee. Several other case projects may be added in the near future during the first year of VCOM. A : Disaster Support Network A-1 : The Great Kobe Earthquake recovery support network A-2 : Discussing the role of electronic media at the time of earthquake in InterVnet and publishing a book to report the discussion (A-3 : Corporation with "PC networks vendors' liaison conference" to establish smooth cooperation during an earthquake and other calamities.) B : NGO/NPO Support Network B-1 : WOM (Women's Online Media) ... Networking to discuss women's issues B-2 : Connecting grassroots BBSs and InterVnet B-3 : Forum for reviewing and proposing NPO related legislature B-4 : N3 (NGO/NPO Network) ... Networking among NGO/NPO researchers and practitioners B-5 : Personal computer and internet seminar for NGO/NPO and volunteers C : Citizens' Voluntary Participation to Society C-1 : Electronic guidebook making on alternative information for global citizens C-2 : Creating a model for "remote employment" for the handicapped with the use of Internet C-3 : JD Net ... Networking to exchange information on handicapped persons C-4 : International Forum for international students and other international exchange activities C-5 : Multi-media volunteer database making for a local community C-6 : Awaji Island networking pilot project ☆Organization of VCOM VCOM organization consists of Advisory Board, Steering Committee, System Operation Team and a Secretariat (Editorial Engineering Laboratory) among others. The members of respective units are as follows. Please note that these members do not necessarily represent the organization they are affiliated with. ------------------------------------------------------------ VCOM Secretariat c/o Editorial Engineering Laboratory attn: Ms. Misuzu Morikawa (morikawa@eel.suehiro.nakano.tokyo.jp) 1-4-7-202 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo JAPAN 153 Tel:+81-3-3780-0800; fax:+81-3-3780-0900 VCOM e-mail address: recpt@vcom.suehiro.nakano.tokyo.jp