FUNET - International link for researchers in Finland

RESEARCH MEANS COMMUNICATION

There are more than one million computers connected to different
scientific network around the world. By electronic mail you reach your      
colleagues and competitors in whatever corner of the world they
happens to have their mailbox. And the message doesn't stay in the
backroom of local postoffice for days or weeks.

RESEARCH MEANS CONVERSATION

Lively conversations on different topics takes place in thousands of
newsgroups on USENETnetwork. Beside discussions and debate advise is
asked and provided. USENET is an up to date provider of real news.

RESEARCH MEANS TRANSMISSION

Research often starts with measurements. Results from laboratory
instruments or observatories have to be transmitted to the computer
which analyzes them and finds out what is essential. Often actual
computing may happen other side of globe.

RESEARCH MEANS VISUALIZATION

Often graphical visualization of data reveals theessential things in
phenomena being studied. Numerical results can be transmitted to the
end-user in the form of picture or animation.

RESEARCH MEANS PROPER TOOLS

Hundreds of file servers are installed on network for the distribution
of software. Most of the software has been developed at universities
and are therefore public domain. The biggest file server in Europe
happens to be nic.funet.fi, The Network Information Centre of
FUNET. It has on-line more than 200 000 files of software, data and
documents. The network provides tools to help you find the location of
files..

RESEARCH MEANS INFORMATION RETRIEVAL

Via the network you can scroll catalogues of finnish academic
libraries. Many foreign libraries, among them the enormous Congressial
Library of USA are open for visitors through the network. Also many
scientific databases are you within reach.

RESEARCH MEANS PUBLICITY

Traditional academic publications will maintain their positions, but
many articles, congress proceedings and studies are published via
newsnet and are saved on a file server for public access. Results are
published in hours insted of waiting months or years as is with
hardcopy journals. Utilization and criticism of the results may also
start immediately.

RESEARCH NEEDS ADMINISTRATION

A successful research environment needs administrative services. FUNET
connects academic institutions and their administration with Ministry
of Education and its databases (like KOTA) as well as with The Finnish
State Computer Centre and databases and services it provides.















