Contact: Barbara McGehan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(303)497-6286 3/23/95
http://www.noaa.gov - click, click enter ctrlx www.telnet...
Confused? If you feel intimidated by computers or never use them to do anything more complicated than word processing, join the crowd. While surfing the Internet, or the "Net" as some call it, has become the pastime and passion for millions of people, for most of us it still can be something of a challenge.
But there is hope. A new guide, "Internet Activities Using Scientific Data," has been prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Environment Laboratory in Boulder, Colo., and it should make using the Internet a lot easier.
Designed for teachers, but useful for anyone, the booklet contains nine activities that outline Internet basics. Created around a fictional student, Jane Lopez, readers discover the information highway along with Jane as she tries out e-mail, contacts the National Earthquake Information Service in Golden, Colo., and uses telnet to find out about a space shuttle launch.
The booklet gives step-by-step directions for would-be users and helps the reader access the vast stores of information available on the Internet.
According to Barbara Poppe of the Space Environment Laboratory, "In talking to many types of people, I have found that there is universal interest in this book."
Included is an appendix of where and how to find the Internet tools to make it easier to look for information, names and phone numbers of network vendors, and information on how to make Mosaic and other Net tools part of your system.
"These tips plus other straightforward definitions and activities make this booklet a useful source for anyone, kids or adults," said Poppe.
A limited number of the booklets are available from NOAA Public Affairs, Correspondence Unit, SSMC4, Station 8624, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Md. 20910; or booklets may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15250-7954, stock #003-017-00545-3, for $9 a copy.
Copies of this booklet will be available at NOAA's Booth 2018 at the National Science Teachers Association meeting in Philadelphia, Pa., March 23-27, 1995.
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Editor's Note: If you would like a review copy of the Internet guide, please call Barbara Poppe at (303) 497-3992.