Network Computingwww.networkcomputing.com

Federation? What Federation? The whole notion of a federation of planets seemed like a sound idea to me. I mean, after all, it's certainly likely that there will be haves and have nots in the community of the galaxy, and we absolutely want to be a member in good stead in the cosmic good-ol-boy's club. My 12-year-old brain worked through the scenarios, and, try as I might, I couldn't see how we could ever gain admittance to the Federation. After all, the first and foremost requirement for a planet seeking admittance was that the people of the world in question speak with one voice. There was also some requirement for interstellar travel capability, but that one never really worried me. Let's face it, we'd been to the moon, so how long could it really take to figure out how to get to the stars?

But with one quick glance at the evening news, I had no doubt that our worldwide society would never be mistaken as speaking with one voice. The Vietnam conflict was still fresh in my mind, someone in the Middle East had just shut off our oil supply and we were struggling with the notion of controlling the rate of increase of nuclear weapons in Europe. Hardly what I'd call one voice.

It bothered me throughout my teens that our society would look so pathetic next to those encountered by Jim and the gang. I mean, these people were wearing flowerpots for headgear and they got in on the Federation. Land in any one spot on their planet, and the prime minister greeted you and introduced the entire society to you in 60 minutes minus some commercials. Land anywhere on our planet, and we'll shoot at you (guaranteed).

Damn It, Jim! It's the Internet! And so, after 20-some-odd years of living with the knowledge that our society would be looked upon as the trash of the galaxy, I've found comfort in our own pages. Just a few years ago, we (the magazine's editorial management) would never have allowed a column on the networking of third-world countries. We would have shoved to the hinterpages any discussion of global signatures and electronic commerce. Yet, in the short seven-year life span of Network Computing, we've come to discuss these issues with the sure and certain belief that in the not-too-distant future, technology will bring us the blessings of a global e-economy. And that we, the techno-enlightened, can enjoy the anguish of the politicians as they slowly discover that, regardless of the laws they pass, this nation known as the Internet will continue to make its own laws to which the politicians will have to adjust.

And so, dear readers (and nosy aliens), I give you the Internet: the true beacon of the information age, the best (although still certainly incomplete) hope of tapping the pulse of the world commun ity. This is our one slim chance for membership in the federation, and it diminishes by one the num ber of irrational childhood fears that continue to keep me up at night. I'd admonish us all not to mess it up, but at this point I'm not sure we can mess it up. It has a life of its own.

Art Wittmann can be reached at awittmann@nwc.com.