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From: jqj@DUFF.UOREGON.EDU
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: Re: building an interstate (data) highway with no roadmaps
Message-ID: <9106171742.AA26647@phloem.uoregon.edu>
Date: 17 Jun 91 16:42:50 GMT
References: <03E3717DA0204ADD@OREGON.UOREGON.EDU>
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I think online directory services are only one aspect of the problem that
EMV raised.  I'm not convinced that a global shared file system will help
too much (a shared file system uniting AFS/unix with Novell, Appleshare,
and typical IBM mainframe file systems is still several years away, and
you still need to know how to navigate through that gigantic file
system!), except by improving/regularizing the user interface.  I'm also
not convinced that we should expect the CNI or library folks to rescue us
(unless you believe that the research-library card catalog model is the
right one for dynamic network information).

From my perspective, EMV's important point is that there is no equivalent
of a AAA (or any other national Automobile Association) to provide travel
information services, personalized maps, triptics, towing services, motel
certifications, etc. for normal people (rather than hackers like us). 
Perhaps what we need is a users' group that is tied to international
networking rather than to a particular computer vendor or even to a
particular internet or particular protocol stack.  "American Networking
Association" anyone?

Where should I turn for advice about where I might take my family for its
next network vacation?

Come to think of it, in addition to a AAA analog, perhaps we need an AA
analog too.  "Networkers Anonymous" to help those poor souls who have
become adicted to cyberspace.

[p.s. please note the lack of :-).  I'm more serious than it appears.]

JQ Johnson
Director of Network Services		Internet: jqj@oregon.uoregon.edu
University of Oregon			voice:	(503) 346-1746
250E Computing Center			BITNET: jqj@oregon
Eugene, OR  97403-1212			fax: (503) 346-4397