Re: Justifying Internet Access

[Susan Mitchell <susanm -at- NCD -dot- COM>]

Here is a summary of what Andrew S. Tanenbaum says in *Computer Networks*
2nd edition, p. 530:

Email is:
- as fast as the phone, but both parties don't have to be available
  at the same time
- provides immediate access (75% of business calls never get through)
- leaves a written record
- can send to multiple recipients at once

As far as a TW is concerned, this means you spend less time running
around xeroxing memos, distributing paperwork, tracking down reviewers,
setting up 1-on-1 meetings, playing phone tag, etc.

For telecommuters, it's essential.

Through newsgroups, you have instant access to specialized information.
For example, if you want to buy some software, ask the appropriate
group what they liked/disliked about it, how much it cost, where to
buy it, etc. If you have trouble with FrameMaker (for example) and
your sysadmin is clueless, post to the Frame newsgroup and send a
message to Frame at comments -at- frame -dot- sun -dot- 

If you have a network for professional acquaintances, you can create
an alias to poll the all simultaneously about a question you have.
Recently, our dept was considering whether to use square or rounded
boxes around figures. A quick poll gave me some information that
helped point me in a useful direction.

The list is endless, but the point is the same. Your boss is wrong
when he/she says all info you need is within your dept. He or she is
probably concerned about all of the extra time email requires.
While there is "junkmail" out there, you are quite capable of nuking
anything you don't want to read. On the contrary, email SAVES TIME!



Susan Mitchell

susanm -at- ncd -dot- com
Network Computing Devices, Inc.
415-691-2798 voicemail
415-961-6289 fax