Subject: N-1-4-012.70.3 GlasNet: Expansion Problems Anatoly Voronov GlasNet, an independent non-governmental network installed in Moscow with the sponsorship of the Institute for Global Communications, in San Francisco, has completed the first-year setup stage and is now ready to tackle expanding the network. With more than 600 users as of December 1992, GlasNet offers telecommunication facilities ranging from e-mail, FAX, electronic conferencing, and an e-mail/surface mail gateway. Users are mainly individuals, academic workers, and independent non-profit, non-governmental organizations like Social-Ecological Union of Russia, Copen Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, IREX and others. The network also includes small businesses and even a few governmental groups such as one of the departments of the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Russia. An example of usefulness of GlasNet is its role in the successful action of the activists of Soceco (Social-Ecological Union) who waged a successful campaign against the destruction of valuable forests in the Far East of Russia. Bill Pfeifer of Soceco visited the sites and worked with local ecologists to wage an international campaign, using, as the only means of communications with the West, his GlasNet account. At the end of November 1992, the case was submitted to the Supreme Court of Russia which ruled to reconsider the terms of the deal at the regional court of Primorie (Russian Far East). Current expansion problems are related to the general underdevelopment of telecommunications in Russia, particularly the lack of the nationwide X.25 network. However, in December GlasNet inaugurated X.25 access from Saint-Petersburg. The only access to the GlasNet Host computer for non-Moscow residents is direct dialup, which is usually tricky due to poor quality of the phone lines. In some cases, intercity connections are still provided on crossbar systems dating back to the 1930's. Lack of equipment has also hampered expansion. GlasNet would appreciate donations of used PCs and Hayes-compatible modems, which would be very useful in the Russian environment. Yet, the general view of Glasha (GlasNet's female nickname, as 'network' is female in Russian) is optimistic. The first issue of KIBERKOSM (pronounced 'keeberkosm' and meaning Cyberspace) computer communications bulletin was published by GlasNet in November 1992. It produced on an old Mac SE and desperately low printer. The cover page features a drawing by renowned Russian cartoonist Vitaly Peskov in which Glasha, a smart girl from Russia, is opening a window (computer monitor) to the wonderful world of computer communications. In the dawn of 1993 Glasha welcomes everybody to the KIBERKOSM!