Globalink

Ruben Israel: Build your regional networks -
we are here to support you!

"We had no idea how people would react, I think the first message came from the French tobacco control movement."

t was only in 1996 that Ruben Israel launched an experiment to activate Globalink, the electronic network for tobacco control professionals. Globalink had a solid basis with a steady group of members seeking news and research information and contact numbers from the electric files of the server. Israel decided to introduce electronic conferences: the members did not have to log-in for the news, they would get the information directly to their personal computers.

"We had no idea how people would react," says Israel. "I think the first message came from the French tobacco control movement, and it received 10 replies in just a few days. The reaction was so positive that we immediately decided this was the thing to do."

Since then, Globalink has tripled its membership. When the news of the debate on tobacco legal settlement broke out in the US, the network was actively discussing it and comparing responses throughout the world.

History--the idea that worked

Globalink was first initiated by American Cancer Society at the end of the 80«s. At first the network was small because connection prices were high. For instance in Asia, the computer connection cost about 65 dollars an hour, so few users stayed on-line for long. Thanks rapid technological developments this all changed, and in 1992 Globalink was put under the control of the International Cancer Union (UICC). "This was the start of the UICC telecommunication experience," says Ruben Israel.

And it was experimental to boot. Israel, who started working professionally on the internet during 1993-1994, cooperated with small companies and university students. They developed a new telecommunication tool for UICC. At the same time, internet itself started to expand. The world of cyberspace soon proved to be an inexpensive way to distribute information anywhere, rather than simply an expensive electronic toy for the wealthier parts of the world.

This efficiency did not go un-noticed by the tobacco industry. In an article on anti-smoking organisations the magazine Tobacco International summed up: "But what brings all these groups close together is the excellent communications network that has been built up".

Break-through at the right time

"Through its web site and e-mail service, Globalink is unique in its ability to bring together advocates for tobacco control policy."

To be able to use Globalink, you need a computer, modem and telephone line and an e-mail box where your messages can be sent. The user can select different topics to avoid getting mail on everything under the sun.

For additional information there is a web site, with different folders of news, contact numbers, documents, announcements and pictures.

"Through its web site and e-mail service, Globalink is unique in its ability to bring together advocates for tobacco control policy;" declared the World Health Organization when it selected the network to receive the Tobacco or Health Award on the occasion of World No-Tobacco Day 1997.

Ruben Israel says that this kind of service needed active and knowledgeable participants to help get it started and sustain its rapid development.

"If the network continues with this kind of growth, it means that we have number of users and activities that are not controllable in our structure. It is fairly easy to set up an internet site nowadays. We do not want to compete with national or regional networks. Our message is 'build your regional networks and we will be here to support you'," says Ruben Israel. He has looks forward to a situation where there develop regional networks that produce news pages for their particular region which Globalink can make it available in all continents. n

Interview by Satu Lipponen

: Contact:
: UICC GLOBALink
: Ruben Israel, Head
: E-mail: israel@globalink.org
: WWW:/globdemo
: Tel: +41 22--809 18 50 and 809 18 11
: Fax: +41 22--809 18 10

Netiquette

: by Ruben Israel and Jeanie Chevallaz, UICC GLOBALink

Advice No 1: always check the source

Internet is vast.
It's a world with no boundaries where anyone can say or publish anything.

Advice No 2: don't send unsolicited e-mail messages

All Internauts are not equal.

While the lucky ones have a permanent connection to the Internet, others have to pay a toll for each message received.

Advice No 3: respect the purpose of a mail-list to avoid an "e-mail backdraft".

Mailing lists.

Internet services are often using mailing lists (list server, Majordomo). In principle a mailing list is designed for a specific topic.

Advice No 4: be cautious when sending e-mail attachments

E-mail and Mailing lists.

E-mail standard is text (ASCII). E-mail software now let Internauts attach files in any format to an e-mail.

It is recommended to check that the recipient will be able to read the attachment _BEFORE_ sending a message rather than after. It is also strongly recommended not to send attachments to mailing lists: most recipients would not be able to read them.

Advice No 5: avoid using capital characters.

Characters vs CHARACTERS.

Typing a message on the Internet is like speaking during a conversation. Using capital letters would be interpreted as SHOUTING!...

Advice No 6: sign your messages.

Signature.

Signing a message is very important (specially when using a mailing list.) A link to the personal Home-Page of the author of a message can be appreciated in order to discover who the author really is. A signature should therefore remain concise (4-5 lines max.) n

Smoke Free Europe - A Forum for Networks - 14 AUG 1997

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