THE NAVBO NEWSLETTER

The Newsgroup:

The newsgroup will join existing BIONET newsgroups emphasizing vascular biology. It will provide a forum in which NAVBO members (and members of the vascular biology community at large) can initiate discussion, solicit information and post announcements of interest to the NAVBO membership. :

The usenet address is: Usenet:bionet.prof-soc.navbo

NAVBO Home Page on the World Wide Web:

The world-wide-web is, as its name implies, a global network of computers ("web sites") that are linked via the internet and are accessible using an interactive and easy to use graphical interface (a web browser). Companies, organizations and even individuals can create web sites containing information on diverse subjects. What this means to NAVBO and its members is global visibility for NAVBO via a web site that is accessible by anyone, anywhere in the world who has access to the internet. It also allows convenient access to a wealth of information about NAVBO, its mission and an interactive environment in which members can participate in NAVBO activities. Additionally, the web site allows linkage to other sites on the web (NIH, American College of Cardiology, U of Washington-Pathology, FASEB, WWW Virtual Library: Biosciences Medicine) as well as to the NAVBO newsgroup. We welcome visitors-to access, just enter the url:http://www.navbo.med.umn.edu/navbo.htm

Be sure to add the NAVBO url to your "hot list" and check for frequent news updates, news of interest to NAVBO members, elections and election results as well as web links to other societies and journals. If you have any suggestions for additions or alterations to the NAVBO WWW site, contact either Dan Mooradian or Mary Gerritsen (see committees below).

How do you access the usenet discussion group and the world wide web?

Dan Mooradian, who is responsible for the initiation, set-up and maintenance of the world wide web home page offers these step by step instructions to those of the NAVBO membership who are not familiar with use of the Internet.

Whether you are using an IBM-compatible (Windows,DOS, OS-2), a MAC or a UNIX based machine, connecting to the internet is probably easier than you think.

Step 1. The most important step to going on-line is choosing how you will be connected to the internet. For individuals at most academic institutions (and some companies) a dedicated connection-via your institutions ethernet backbone-is probably the cheapest and most convenient method of connecting. Not surprisingly, dedicated connections are also the FASTEST and speed is an important consideration when it comes to internet access.Many institutions may also provide what is called dial-in access via a "SLIP/PPP" connection that will enable you to access the internet off- campus using a modem. If you are currently using your computer to send/receive e-mail, you probably already have a dedicated connection.

For some, a dedicated connection to the internet may not be feasible, and the alternatives, both of which require a modem, include commercial on-line services such as Compuserve, America-On-Line and Prodigy, that provide internet access as part of a broader net of on-line services (e.g. news, weather, finances, shopping) and commercial services such as NetCom and Alternet that provide internet access but nothing else. The primary considerations in choosing between these alternatives will be cost (prices may range from $10-$40/mo depending on use and services), ease of access and your interest in services other than internet services.

Step 2. Once you have established a hardware connection, you will need one or more pieces of software that will enable you to access the various types of information on the internet (e.g. E-mail, Newsgroups, the World Wide Web). A variety of software packages are available at little or not cost and can be downloaded from sites on the internet or obtained from a colleague who may already be using them. This software can be used for access to the internet over your dedicated connection, or for dial in access via an internet access provider you chose from those available in your area. Internet access providers such as Netcom, and Alternet may also distribute software to their clients when they sign up for an internet account. Compuserve, American On Line and Prodigy provide software to their clients when they sign up for an internet account. Compuserve, American On Line and Prodigy provide software to users in conjunction with internet access (at this time, Prodigy remains the only service providing access to the World Wide Web as part of their service, although the others are expected to provide web access soon). An attractive alternative for many may be products such as Internet in a box (\spry Inc, Seattle WA), NetCruiserTM (Netcom, San Jose CA), Internet ChameleonTM (NetManage, Curino CA) that bundle access software along with one or more introductory texts on the internet, and also provide on-line registration with one or more internet access providers. There are a number of options and your best bet is probably to seek out the advise of colleagues and/or students who are already internet users. These individuals should be familiar with the details of services at your institution, and you will likely find that they are more than willing to help you get on line.

Step 3. Once you are on line, your first stop, of course should be the NAVBO web site.