This document contains the transcript of three hearings on the High Speed Performance Computing and High Speed Networking Applications Act of 1993 (H.R. 1757). The hearings were designed to obtain specific suggestions for improvements to the legislation and alternative or additional application areas that should be pursued. Testimony and prepared statements were received from: (1) John H. Gibbons, Office of Science and Technology Policy; (2) Thomas J. Tauke, NYNEX; (3) Robert H. Ewald, Cray Research; (4) W. B. Barker, BBN Communications; (5) Richard F. Rashid, Microsoft; (6) Major R. Owens, House Subcommittee on Select Education and Civil Rights; (7) Don E. Detmer, University of Virginia; (8) Connie Stout, Texas Educational Network; (9) John Masten, New York Public Library; (10) Martin A. Massengale, University of Nebraska; (11) Cynthia H. Braddon, Information Industry Association; (12) Donald A. B. Lindberg, National Coordination Office for HPCC Program; (13) Malvin H. Kalos, Cornell Theory Center; (14) Jeffrey C. Kalb, Maspar Computer Corp.; (15) Edward Masi, Intel; (16) Fred Weingarten, Computing Research Association; (17) David K. Herron, Lilly Research Laboratories; and (18) John B. Gage, Sun Microsystems Laboratories. Subcommittee and committee markups of H.R. 1757, as well as prepared statements from the Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network, International Society for Technology in Education, Coalition for Patent Information Dissemination, and Microcomputer Industry Association, are appended. (KRN)

This report, published in its entirety (OTA-TCT-578) and in a summary form (OTA-TCT-579) containing only the first chapter of the complete report, focuses on key topics and issues that are central to the successful use of electronic delivery by government. The review conducted by the Office of Technology Assessment concludes that the movement toward electronic delivery of government services is accelerating, but that many factors must be considered. The greatest risks of electronic delivery are overlooking the human element and users' needs, which would further widen the gap between the technologically literate and the technologically illiterate, and failing to capitalize on all the opportunities that partnerships among government agencies and the private sector could provide. Changes that will be required in federal management are outlined, and options for successful implementation of electronic delivery are sketched. Many rely on the amplification of existing structures. Five appendixes complement the complete report, including a list of the 11 boxes, 5 figures, and 22 tables that illustrate the discussion; and lists of acronyms and terms, contributors, field study participants, and contractor reports. The summary volume contains four tables and two boxes. (SLD)

Examines the theory and practice of media education.

THE STORY: In August of 1937, in a small town in eastern North Carolina, we meet the Avery family. Roma Avery is the widowed matriarch who still maintains a hold on her recently married son, Neal. He and his wife, Taw, a former school teacher, rent a room