Magazine

Computer-Mediated Communication Magazine
ISSN 1076-027X / Volume 4, Number 10 / October 1, 1997

Editor's Page

This month, we have some brief reports that take critical looks at assumptions about technology.

FEATURES

The Effect of Technology on Aesthetics

Steve Cameron explores technology in creative arts education. Have computers given today's students a better education in the creative arts fields in our Universities? Are they better prepared, because of the computer applications at their disposal, to design buildings, draw pictures, produce advertising, and enhance cinematography?

Interviews the New Fashioned Way

Blurry vision, weird blotches, lack of peripheral vision, life at 10 frames per second. Some acid trip? Auren Hoffman describes the complications of videoconferencing over the Internet. In the end, he suggests that perhaps face-to-face meetings may be more effective.

Divining the Future at ISPCON '97

Robley Curtice provides a quick report from the 1997 Internet Service Provider Convention (ISPCON 97) which recently took place in San Francisco. His report highlights a few current trends in Internet Services.

DEPARTMENTS

Book Review: Many Words Do Not Equal Much Content

Ulla Bunz reviews Digital Literacy, by Paul Gilster. The bottom line? Digital Literacy is best used as an index book for looking up specific terms of interest.

MBOX

Dave Clark, a Ph.D Student in Rhetoric and Professional Communication Iowa State University, reacts to the August 1997 Last Link essay, "So Long, Highway." His point is that we need not fear government control of the Net, but we must work together to provide education and access to address issues of control.

THE LAST LINK

John December contemplates myths of chaos on the Web.

Letters to the editor always welcome: mailto:john@december.com