Theory Net: An electronic mail system

Telemail, an electronic mail system for the Univac 1110, was designed and implemented by the Academic Computer Center at the University of Wisconsin with support from Edunet. At present, there are approximately two hundred users including several organized groups: Educom staff and university liasons; Theory-Net researchers in theoretical computer science; a USDA sponsored research project; and a group of experts on mental retardation services/materials/literature. Most participants in the above groups access Telemail via Telenet, a commercial packet switching network. In addition, the system is used by computer center staff and researchers at the university.

The Theory-Net project, sponsored by NSF, involves the use of Telemail by a group of about thirty researchers in theoretical computer science at fifteen universities. The goal is to assess the value of an electronic mail system in facilitating interaction (and thereby research productivity) in a small research community. To date a number of Joint research projects have made use of the system. In addition, the 1978 Sigact Symposium Program Committee communicated via Telemail, The next phase of the project involves a substantial increase in the number of participants. Individuals from small schools having only one or two researchers in theoretical computer science will be given high priority.