ACS President's Talk to South Australian Branch

Australian Computer Society

Access to Information in the Networked Nation

What is electronic publishing?

Tom Worthington, President of the Australian Computer Society

Talk to South Australian Branch Wednesday, 27 March 1996
Slide show as at: 26 March 1996)

< Contents >

Title
Contents
Introduction
Internet Pornography
How the Internet will change the lives of IT professionals
An advertisement for the ACS profile
See Also

Photograph of Tom Worthington by Heide
Smith

< Introduction >

My fourth presentation as ACS President this year
Ken Godson, Chair, ACS SA Branch asked for:
1. Something topical: experience with Senate Committees & media on Pornography and censorship on the Internet
2. How the Internet will change the lives of IT professionals
3. An advertisement for the ACS profile

< Internet Pornography >

Undesirable material via the Internet has captured the interest of the media, politicians
is of some concern to members of the community, particularly concerning children
I have:
- made ACS presentations to a Senate committee
- been interviewed by the electronic and print media
ACS made a very detailed submission to the ABA

< ACS Position >

ACS has taken a position in favour of mild regulation
Most fears of the technology evaporate with use
ACS has contributed with its:
- submissions
- demonstrations
- members access to ACSlink

< Regulation isn't the issue >

More interesting issue is improve organisations via the Internet:

Provide source of economic growth and a social/cultural benefit
Australia is a significant international Internet user and regional Internet superpower
"Natural advantage" provided by outstanding work of our academic community
Sensible mild regulations will provide Australia economic benefit

< The Internet changing the lives of IT professionals >

Talked to ACS NQ Chapter on Oz IT "future history"
but this is about how the Internet has already changed my work and life:
- Wrote and uploaded this from a Cafe in Canberra
- Can work for ACS and Defence from anywhere
- My briefcase has few "papers"
- Carry a lapotp, modem and digital mobile telephone

< Each morning >

Check ACS e-mail from home via laptop & pocket modem
Check DMD e-mail at Defence
Get about five pieces of paper correspondence (most go in the bin)
Get twenty telephone calls (most actioned by e-mail)
Only about two meetings a week: take a laptop
One or two paper letters a month: lots of e-docs
CIRG shows the way

< Lunch time >

Check ACS e-mail on the laptop from morning:

Sort by subject and handle each subject in bulk
Store replies until the evening and change them in the interim

< Afternoon >

Update the Defence home page:

Prepare material in Web format,
check formatting and authorisation
Upload
Send an announcement to newsgroups and mailing lists

Normally from office, but can be anywhere, even Mallactoota

< Home >

Stop at Tilley's for coffee and inspiration
Several hours working at home on ACS business:
- reply to e-mail
- prepare Web documents
- log-on to the Internet once or twice
Collect paper mail from ACS Canberra office twice a week: most goes in the bin
ACS National Office uploads important public material to the Web
Constant world wide dialogue on IT developments

< Next steps >

Human way to work:

Many friends on-line around the world
Presented "Hi-tech Tourist" in 1994 & holidays on-line

Next steps:

Testing GSM phone & data adapter from Link
transmitted digital photos from Tally Room
Defence & others building easier, more reliable, more secure systems

< ACS profile (hard sell) >

Professional association for computing & telecommunications
Established in 1966 & has 16,000 members
Aims to further information technology & the competence of IT professionals
Sets IT education standards
Provides forum for the profession
Represents Australia internationally
Speaks on issues of importance to the community
Now does this via the Internet

< ACS promoting Australian IT industry >

Will continue to work with AIIA and Government on promotion of Australia internationally
Will exploit exclusive international and regional forums for Australia
Attend, exhibit at or sponsor IFIP'96 - 14th World Computer Congress