From: junko@amulet.co.jp (Junko Yoshimura) Newsgroups: tnn.interv-e Subject: VCOM NEWLETTER No.4 IN ENGLISH Date: 22 Jun 95 02:42:18 GMT X-Destination: feednews -n tnn.interv-e To: tnn-interv-e@creamy.ics.es.osaka-u.ac.jp Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Attached herewith is the first VCOM Newsletter, though it is issue number 4, as this newsletter follows up the previously published issues under the name of "InterVnet Newsletter." This issue will provide information about the general contents of VCOM, which is a research project under Keio University Professor Ikuyo Kaneko's auspices. For information, please contact the address below. VCOM Secretariat c/o Editorial Engineering Laboratory attn: Ms. Misuzu Morikawa (KYH00401@niftyserve.or.jp) 1-4-7-202 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153 Tel:03-3780-0800; fax:03-3780-0900 or VCOM Reception E-mail address : recpt@vcom.suehiro.nakano.tokyo.jp ****************************************** VCOM Newsletter No.4 June 6, 1995 VCOM: A Project for Developing Information Communities based on InterVnet 1. Background for the founding of VCOM As a result of an effort to create an information network for promoting the rescue and recovery support activities after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, InterVnet, a project for linking virtually all the existing commercially based BBSs throughout Japan with the use of the Internet was planned by Professor Ikuyo Kaneko of Keio University and a few other friends. InterVnet, so far, has been serving as an important media connecting those who suffered in this disaster with volunteers working in and out of Kobe/Awaji areas. VCOM is a research project which conducts practical research by developing diverse voluntary networks evolving from the use of InterVnet. 2. Aim of VCOM VCOM's aim is to promote and support the efforts to develop "information communities" in diverse kinds and sizes using the Internet or InterVnet, and thereby, providing models for promotion of the "diverse society." Three key concepts of VCOM are: - - voluntary networks - - sharing information of a socially high demand - - new social systems with voluntary participation of citizens 3 Research Activities of VCOM Activities of VCOM are divided into the following four categories: 3.1 InterVnet Host System Operations and Maintenance At Suehiro House (an NPO founded by Professor Kaneko), there are several SUN workstations donated by Japan SUN MicroSystems, and dedicated INS communication cables provided free of charge by IIJ (Internet Initiatives, Japan). Through these machines and connections, IP access to the Internet is available. The operations of this InterVnet host system include making archives of the relevant netnews, maintenance of mailinglists, database services such as WWW servers, and information retrieval services using WAIS. 3.2 Consensus Formation The "BBS Council" with delegates from each of the commercially based BBSs will be founded to discuss what kinds of information is to be shared on InterVnet and also discuss development of more user-friendly systems. The "AUP Council" which will discuss the "Netiquettte" on InterVnet and use of information on InterVner is also soon to be convened. In addition, a "User Conference Room," where users of InterVnet may post comments or requests freely regarding the InterVnet, will be established. 3.3 Symposium A VCOM Symposium will be held. 3.4 Examples of Case Projects Case projects are to develop "information communities" of variety kinds and sizes. At present, the following case projects are being proposed, though their inauguration is yet to be formally recognized by the VCOM Steering Committee. They are all to be carried out by VCOM in collaboration with the relevant NGO/NPO/volunteer groups/firms/ local government etc. 3.4.1 Earthquake Survivors Support Networks - - the Hanshin-Awaji Island earthquake recovery support network - - Awaji Island tourist information/area recovery homepage support - - simulation and research on collaborations among BBSs and the Internet at the times of disasters 3.4.2 NGO/NPO Support Networks - - connecting grassroots BBSs and InterVnet - - online NGO directory - - WOM : Women's Online Media to create a homepage for a convenient access to various information of women's issues on the Internet - - forum for reviewing NPO related laws and regulations - - NGO forum for social development - - multimedia volunteer database - - a series of lessons to promote computer and Internet literacy among NGO and volunteers 3.4.3 Community Development with Voluntary Citizen Participation - - electronic Guidebook for global citizens - - creating models for in-house employment for the handicapped with the use of Internet technology - - forum for international students and other enternational exchange activities - - local governmet publication developing with citizen participation - - establishing an electronic community plaza for citizens 4 Organization of VCOM The VCOM organization consists of an Advisory Board, a Steering Committee, a System Operations Team, and a Secretariat (Editorial Engineering Laboratory) and other units. The members of respective units are as follows: Advisory Board: Prof. Hideo Aiso(Keio University, SFC) Prof. Takemochi Ishii (Keio University, SFC) Prof. Toshiaki Izeki (Keio University, SFC) Prof. Yasuko Ichibangase (Toyo University) Prof. Shigeru Ito (Keio University, SFC) Prof. Kenichi Imai (Stanford University) Prof. Shunsuke Iwasaki (Citizen Forum 2001 and Tsukuba University) Mr. Atsushi Shimokoube (Tokyo Marine Research Institute) Prof. Jun Nishikawa (Waseda University) Mr. Shuncho Hanada (writer) Mr. Seigo Matsuoka (Editorial Engineering Laboratory) Prof. Kinhide Mushakoji (Meiji Gakuin University) Steering Committee: Prof. Taro Ozawa (Keio University, SFC) Prof. Ikuyo Kaneko (Chair: Keio University, SFC) Mr. Takaaki Kaburagi (Suehiro House) Prof. Jiro Tamura (Keio University, SFC) Prof. Mitsuyo Hanada (Keio University, SFC) Prof. Jun Murai (Keio University, SFC) Ms. Junko Yoshimura (Suehiro House) 5. Duration of the VCOM project VCOM was inaugurated on May 1, 1995 to be carried out for three years.