Advancing information technology at AGU

Since its inception in 1990, AGU's Information Technology Committee has been charged with considering and advising the Union on applications of established and emerging technology to Union activities. The committee has focused its attention on electronic access to AGU information and services, advanced publication technology and ways that AGU can assist members in preparing author‐produced manuscripts, considered a new journal to publish numerical methods and algorithms related to geophysical and space sciences, and made recommendations regarding a Union position on the development of the National Research and Educational Network (NREN). Current members of the committee include Ray Walker (chair), Ray Arvidson, Bob Clauer, Jeff Dozier, Bill Emery, Jim Green, Andy Lazarewicz, Russ Merrill, and J. Bernard Minster. The improvement of Kosmos, AGU's electronic communication and information system, is considered by the committee to be of fundamental importance because Kosmos provides basic electronic access to AGU information and products. A Kosmos connection is available through PINET, which is operated by the American Institute of Physics. Using Kosmos on PINET provides access to a variety of data bases, including the AGU membership directory, meetings information, and various geophysical and political news. Connection to PINET may be made through the TCP/IP Internet (pinet.aip.org) or through SPRINTNET. Local access numbers for SPRINTNET can be obtained by calling 800‐336‐0437. The AGU computer is also now directly connected to the TCP/IP Internet (kosmos.agu.org).