The Watchman of the Electronic Frontier

What those images remind the members of EFH is that, even while the cyber-hype focuses on how fast the networks are, and how computers can instantly make the world your oyster, what is less mentioned is that everything you put out is stored somewhere. Things are going down on permanent records.

All this digital excitement is saved, and everything that is going on now will effect what happens in the future. There will be standards, although what sort of community standards will prevail are anyone's guess. Rules for Netiquette have emerged. More rules will be made, and more laws drafted specifically for this method of communication. And no matter what sort of Luddite lurks in your technophobic soul, you'll be involved sooner or later.

Mr. and Mrs. John Q. User may have a hard time understanding the sticky legal implications of cyberspace. What is actually happening when computers are connected? Where, exactly, is this weird cyberstuff occurring? In whose jurisdiction? What's it to me? The average user's confusion is not unique. Federal judges -- clear-eyed, well-educated people who are devoted to the careful study of complicated issues and the law -- are still puzzling, scratching their heads and sighing over the constitutional, criminal and international aspects looming.

It's EFH's goal to keep people from being overwhelmed by it all -- or to let the future slip in the back door while nobody is watching. They want to encourage people. Not just to encourage the uninitiated to be "wired in" or somehow become part of an all-holy, high-tech realm with elite knowledge, but to encourage people to take the first, simple steps toward complete computer literacy, to become familiar with cyberspace.

In our century we achieved the age-old dream of man: flight. Then we went to the moon. And then to frequent flyer discounts. That's how it is with technology. New discoveries are amazing! Even more amazing! And then it's business as usual. Think of EFH as the AAA trip planning service, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and a hot-rod club on the information superhighway. And think about them inviting you along for what promises to be quite a ride.