"Electric Technology is forcing us to reconsider and re- evaluate
     practically every thought, every action, and every institution formerly
     taken for granted. Everything is changing . . . dramatically."
          -- Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980), communications theorist,
          educator, and popular lecturer grew up in Canada and was
          affiliated with the University of Toronto from 1946 to his death
          in 1980. From 1963 onward, he directed the Centre for Culture and
          Technology at the university. Understanding Media: The Extensions
          of Man (1964) and The Medium Is the Massage: An Inventory of
          Effects (with Quentin Fiore; 1967) are the books for which he is
          most noted.

NCSA and the Digital Revolution

Canadian Marshall McLuhan forecast the impact and influence of modern
technology about 30 years ago. Known for his views on the twentieth
century's evolution into the Digital Age, he was one of the most valued
voices of his day. During its first decade, NCSA has been at the
leading-edge of technology for bringing about some of the dramatic changes
McLuhan foresaw.

"Magnetism in the Universe" and "Computing Charged Relationships" describe
scientific research on NCSA's HPCC systems. Both projects would have posed
intractable problems for McLuhan's generation of researchers. In "Alpha
Shapes -- More Than a Pretty Picture" we learn about the mathematical
underpinnings of one of NCSA's visualization tools for research. Holly Korab
brings us up-to-date on the status of the I-WAY and its unique technological
applications in her Special Report.

Outreach and education efforts at the center were especially active
throughout the summer -- workshops for all ages, science teachers improving
their skills and resources, and farmers using cyberspace are just some of
the events.

A new NCSA-developed software tool is introduced in "On the Trail of 3D
Images". Read about NCSA's Web-related collaboration with a number of
federal agencies and learn about the center's goals in "Changing the Face of
Government".

Reports of many center activities and a review of Neil Randall's book,
"Teach Yourself the Internet: Around the World in 21 Days" complete this
issue.

-- Fran Bond, Editor

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