Approach to Internet and its impact on libraries and information services

Abstract

The objetive of these pages is to analyze Internet in two faces: from the prospect of the TCP/ IP protocols, as an extensive network of networks that is imposing itself as a matter of fact; and from the focus of libraries and information services, like a gigantic collection of documents that escapes from the traditional bibliographic control. The three basic access procedures in Internet are studied: Telnet, FTP and SMTP (electronic mail); as well as the most important information resources available through Internet: OPACs, databases, electronic journals, lists and others. As Internet has been growing and getting more complícated, powerful software tools that let us navigate the intricate logical space formed by the network have been built. Here are brieíly described: Archie, Hytelnet, WAIS, Gopher, Veronica, WWW. Finally sorne aspects of the impact that Internet is having upon librarians and information scientists are pointed out.