The ACTS Handbook on Communication Services
The ACTS INFOWIN project has recently published "The ACTS Handbook on Communication Services" - an essential guide to best practise in electronic communications in context of a rapidly evolving information infrastructure and networks. The Handbook - based on recommendations developed within the context of the SONAH (Services on National Hosts), INFOWIN (Information Window for ACTS and National Hosts) and NICE (National Host Interconnection Experiments) projects - is designed to make life easier for participants in international research projects. All recommendations are based on standardized formats, either legal or de facto and, although developed specifically for participants in the Community's specific RTD programme in the field of Advanced Communications Technologies and Services (ACTS), are relevant to many different types of user groups. This user's guide to electronic communications is based on consensus among a variety of European organizations, companies, National Hosts and the European Commission. It covers the four most important means of communication - namely Electronic Mail, Archiving and Retrieval, Cooperative Work and Voice Conferencing - and gives clear and detailed recommendations in terms of formats and rendering tools. The degree of accessibility, as well as the prices of the services on offer, are taken into consideration.