Information & Communication
Many of the topics raised have referred to the need for a company to be well informed, whether the subject be the market, new equipment, new technology etc. Traditional means of obtaining information such as the specialised press, professional meetings and conferences are rapidly being complemented by publications on the World Wide Web of the Internet, a system which allows the rapid and inexpensive communication of information.
Traditional means of obtaining information such as the specialised press, professional meetings and conferences are rapidly being complemented by publications on the World Wide Web of the Internet, a system which allows the rapid and inexpensive communication of information.
The Internet also gives the subscriber the possibility of using electronic mail facilities (E-Mail), a facility that allows sending personal mail directly from one personal computer (PC) to another, and to participate in open discussion in specialised Newsgroups.
The use of these facilities is expanding very rapidly since both the information providers and users have understood that the Internet and the WWW are not restricted to specialised computer experts or big companies.
Suppliers to the aquaculture industry are increasingly publishing information about their products on their WWW sites, improving communication and allowing more rapid updating of information that is useful to the end-user.
Many specialised networks (Professional and Academic) and support institutions (e.g. Universities, Professional Associations) are increasing their use of the Internet for both publishing and for communication. As affiliation to the Internet increases (it is estimated that more than 60% of SMEs will be on the Internet by 2001), so services will widen and improve.
Once you have a subscription with a local Internet Access Provider, for the cost of a local telephone call, you can use all of the facilities of the World Wide Web.
Questions
Questions and some answers
What hardware do you need?
- A relatively new computer (Pentium 75 or higher or Macintosh equivalent) which operates under the more recent operating systems.
- The fastest modem that your access provider will support
What software do you need?
If you have not received integrated software programmes previously, they may be available with upgraded operating systems or from the access provider. There are several different programmes for manipulating access to the WWW, choice being a matter of personal preference.
Could I publish information about my farm and its products?
The simple answer is yes. A wide variety of options are available for publishing information on the Internet but these should be assessed from the point of view of the real value to the business in respect of advertising, sales promotion or simple public relations. It is best to assess all of the options available using specialist advice.
Danger Point
Use of the Internet and electronic communication facilities is growing very rapidly. The possibilities of real market opportunities for buyers and sellers, leading to electronic sales networks is no longer a dream. To be able to participate in these developments, you will need to be aware of what the Internet can really offer and how to use its facilities.
Training checklist
Training checklist for training provision in Information Technology