The explosive growth of the Internet and the World Wide Web have made possible an abundance of biomedical information resources online. The article "The Emergence of an Interactive Digital Medium" by Nasir Amra explains some of the basic computer online services available to researchers. The Information Superhighway holds tremendous potential for the health care field.
One of the questions answered in the article is, "What is the Internet?" The Internet is an international web of interconnected government, education, and business computer networks. Thousands of discussion groups with specialized interests share data across the Internet. The number of Internet users doubles each year, fueled by individuals with MODEM-equipped personal computers. A prime factor in the Internet explosion has been the development of the World Wide Web service: a collection of several thousand independently owned computers, called Web servers that are scattered worldwide. Using specialized software programs, individuals can enter the World Wide Web and "browse" or "surf" the Internet through a system of hypertext links. Browser software provides a graphic interface characterized by speed and ease of use. An example of the type of biomedical information available on the World Wide Web is "Medical Matrix," a guide to Internet Clinical Medicine Resources which includes over 2,200 entries of specialty and disease categories.
Mastering the Internet can save a biomedical researcher a considerable amount of time and effort. One of the drawbacks of the Internet, however, is the sheer volume of information resources available. Therefore, computer researching is facilitated by becoming as knowledgeable as possible about the various computer hardware and software alternatives available.
Nasir, A. (1997, January). The emergence of an interactive digital medium. Laboratory Medicine, 28 (1), pp. 43-46.
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