N-1-1-075.06 Internet Digest by John S. Quarterman* Matrix News is a monthly paper newsletter about contextual issues related to computer networks; preferably issues that cross network, organizational, or political boundaries. The first issue included an article on "National Network Policy", which has been followed by articles such as, "Exactly What is the NREN?", by Jay Habegger, and by the guest editorials (called Martian Packets), "Encouraging Equitable Competition on the Internet", by Mitchell Kapor, "Public Institutions in an Electronic Society", by Steve Cisler, and "Walking the Beat in the Global Village", by Richard Civille. Steve Jackson's "The Top Ten Media Errors About the SJ Games Raid", is also relevant. The monthly Network Policy Updates have mentioned the first EARN connection to Moscow and the passing of the NREN bill. Network policy is not just national, as indicated in R.R. Ronkin's "Global Cyberspace -- Who Needs It". Every issue attempts to draw connections between technology, politics, and community, ranging from Smoot Carl-Mitchell's "X.400 - Fact and Fancy", to John S. Quarterman's "Networks from Technology to Community", "Boundaries, Resources and the Law", "Which Network, and Why It Matters", and "Analogy is Not Identity". We also print reports from networked communities, such as artists in "Cyber Art: The Art of Communication Systems", by Anna Couey or Billy Barron's "Libraries on the Matrix" and "BBSing Around the OuterNet". User and directory services are often covered, with the Martian Packet "On the Need to Develop Internet User Services", by Peter Deutsch There were MIDS reports on the CNI and NSF Directory Services workshops, and the articles, "Strategies for Finding People on Networks" and "Networks Are Volunteers". Issue 5 (August) was a theme issue on K-12 (Kindergarten-12th Grade) networking, with articles on KIDSNET, the electronic college classroom, and specific K-12 networking projects. Issue 8 (November) examines networks in Argentina in depth and reviews the program netfind. For further information, please contact: mids@tic.com. *Editor, Matrix News, Matrix Information and Directory Services, Inc. (MIDS)