ENA UPDATE
by Lisa Kimball


Welcome to NETWEAVER's first "Special Issue" on International Networking. Several of our ENA Clusters (small groups focused on key interest areas) suggested that it would be helpful to have an ENA publication targeted to a specific topic. We decided to experiment by publishing this issue which covers a range of things of interest to our Global Cluster. Next month we will publish an issue on Business Applications with the help of our Business Cluster. This is a good example of how we develop creative ideas through our distributed working group process. We'd really like some feedback from readers about how you like this Special Issue approach and about what topics *you* might like to see in a future issue!

There's no doubt that international networking is both exciting and problematic. Part of ENA's mission is to "build global networks" yet many of our international members have difficulty signing on because of the high cost of connecting from abroad, problems with phone connections, or incompatible standards. At the same time, there are many exciting examples of how global networks have benefited their members. You can read about both the problems and the opportunities in this issue.

We have included a summary of the ideas generated at the Global Perspectives session of ENA's fall conference. You will also find articles on some established global networks and some future international networking projects. There is an article on the issue of international standards and an announcement of a synchronous conference on international networking coming up in April.

The Global Cluster of ENA is discussing the possibility of holding an international conference on electronic networking outside the U.S. in the next year. We have also discussed gathering the material to produce a global networking guide. Other ENA work includes developing a membership recruiting plan and exploring applications of the medium to particular audiences such as educational and business institutions.

We held the first Electronic Networking Symposium April 11-14, 1985. A lot has happened since we gathered a year ago in a loft in New York City and decided to join together to form ENA. We're still learning about this medium, still getting frustrated with obstacles to organizational progress, and still struggling to find the best ways to accomplish our mission. But we have also strengthened our network of networkers, published this monthly electronic newsletter which goes all over the world, held a highly successful f-t-f conference, and identified many potential areas where we can make a contribution.

If you're interested in this medium and its development, we need you to JOIN us and add your energy to the process of exploring the leading edge of the technology of communications.